Bilal ibn Rabah was born in Mecca, Hejaz in the year 580 AD.[6] His father Rabah was an Arab slave while his mother, Hamamah, was a former princess of Abysinna who was captured after the event of Amul-Fil (the attempt to destroy the Kaaba) and put into slavery.[citation needed] Being born into slavery, Bilal had no other option but to work for his master, Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Through hard work, Bilal became recognised as a good slave and was entrusted with the keys to the Idols of Arabia. However, racism and sociopolitical statues of Arabia prevented Bilal from achieving a lofty position in society.[6]
