Mu’aakhaat (the Bond of Brotherhood)
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who made hijrah (migrated) from Makkah Mukarramah to Madinah Munawwarah would be paired with the Sahaabah of the Ansaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). The Sahaabah of the Ansaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) would then assist and aid the Sahaabah of the Muhaajireen (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) with whom they had been paired. This special bond shared by these Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) was known as “Mu’aakhaat” (the bond of brotherhood).
There are three views regarding who Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)’s partner of Mu’aakhaat was after migrating to Madinah Munawwarah.
‘Allaamah Qurtubi (rahimahullah) has mentioned two views. The first is that Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had been paired with ‘Ubaidah bin Haarith bin Muttalib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the second is that he was paired with Abu Ruwaihah Al-Khath‘ami (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Istee‘aab 1/258)
Haafiz ibnul Hajar ‘Asqalaani (rahimahullah) has mentioned that Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had been paired with Hazrat Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Jarraah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Isaabah 1/455)
First of the Abyssinians to Accept Islam
Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Those who preceded (in Islam) are four; I was the first from the Arabs through which Islam became known, Hazrat Salmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has preceded the Persians in embracing Islam, Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has preceded the Abyssinians in embracing Islam and Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has preceded the Romans in embracing Islam.”
(Siyar A‘laam Nubalaa’ 3/217)
Bearing the Spear on the Day of Eid
The King of Abyssinia (Najaashi (rahimahullah)) once sent three spears to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as a gift. When Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) received the spears, he gave one to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), one to Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and kept the one which remained. On the occasions of Eid, Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would walk before Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), bearing this spear, until they reached the Eid-Gah. On arriving at the Eid-Gah, Hazrat Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would insert the spear into the ground before Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would then perform the Eid salaah with the spear as his sutrah.
(Siyar A‘laam Nubalaa’ 3/221)