Imam W. D. Mohammed(ra) - Africa to America Heritage, Charlseton, South Carolina

"And we know Bilal the companion of the Prophet (pbuh) from the black people or African people, Habashi was himself a slave when he first heard the call to Al Islam he was a slave.  And he accepted the call to Al Islam while he was yet a slave and his master punished him severely for embracing Al Islam for accepting the one G-d and Muhammad (pbuh) as the Messenger of G-d.  His master punished him severely, put him in the hot sun, the heat of the sun placed heavy stones upon his bear chest to get him to give up the faith, to renounce the faith, worship in one G-d and Muhammad the Prophet (pbuh). But he refused to do that." Imam W. D. Mohammed(ra)