Which companion of Muhammad is traditionally regarded as Islam’s first muezzin?

Bilal ibn Rabah is traditionally regarded as Islam’s first muezzin.

Bilal was an early Muslim companion of Muhammad and was known for his strong, clear voice. Islamic historical and devotional traditions say Muhammad appointed him to call the community to prayer, making him the first person associated with the role of muezzin.

He was born in Mecca and had been enslaved before gaining his freedom. His story is especially significant in Islamic memory because it connects the call to prayer with the dignity and spiritual equality of believers rather than with tribal rank or social status.

Bilal later accompanied the Muslim community to Medina and is associated with major events in the early Islamic period. Reports differ about details of his later life, but his place in the history of the adhan is firmly established in Muslim tradition. Mosques and cultural institutions around the world have been named after him.