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The Firsts

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The Firsts: The Forerunners of Islam is the series that visits trailblazers of the ummah. Those that rise to the occasion, and inspire a generation. Host Sh. Dr. Omar Suleiman dives into the stories of the giants who were the first of their kind in this world, and distinguished in the next. Listen in to revive the personalities buried in history.Let’s meet the Firsts. This series is brought to you by Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. We aim to make academic and Islamically-credible scholarship mainstream through accessible resources such as infographics, animations, podcasts, learning materials, and more. Visit www.yaqeeninstitute.org or download the Yaqeen app from the app store to continue dismantling doubts, nurturing conviction, and inspiring contribution, one truth at a time. 

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The Firsts: The Forerunners of Islam is the series that visits trailblazers of the ummah. Those that rise to the occasion, and inspire a generation. Host Sh. Dr. Omar Suleiman dives into the stories of the giants who were the first of their kind in this world, and distinguished in the next. Listen in to revive the personalities buried in history.Let’s meet the Firsts. This series is brought to you by Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. We aim to make academic and Islamically-credible scholarship mainstream through accessible resources such as infographics, animations, podcasts, learning materials, and more. Visit www.yaqeeninstitute.org or download the Yaqeen app from the app store to continue dismantling doubts, nurturing conviction, and inspiring contribution, one truth at a time. 

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He was the first cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, and his brother in that he was nursed by the same woman. He was one of the closest and most beloved people to him. When Islam came, he turned his back on the Prophet ﷺ and became a bitter enemy until the very end where after a painful reunification, came a beautiful ending.


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He was the first cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, and his brother in that he was nursed by the same woman. He was one of the closest and most beloved people to him. When Islam came, he turned his back on the Prophet ﷺ and became a bitter enemy until the very end where after a painful reunification, came a beautiful ending.


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Before understanding Amr ibn al-As (ra), you need to know about his father who was a staunch opponent of the Prophet ﷺ, and his brother Hisham (ra) who was a companion long before him, with a legendary story of his own.

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Before understanding Amr ibn al-As (ra), you need to know about his father who was a staunch opponent of the Prophet ﷺ, and his brother Hisham (ra) who was a companion long before him, with a legendary story of his own.

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Published 2024-05-07

Amr ibn al-As (ra): From Rafah to Egypt

79 min
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From his moments of opposing the Prophet ﷺ in practically every battle of Islam, and his seeking to remove the one place of refuge for the Muslims in Abyssinia, Amr (ra) doesn’t just turn a corner and embrace Islam, but he spreads it to Egypt and many places of the world including Gaza which weighs so heavily on us today.

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From his moments of opposing the Prophet ﷺ in practically every battle of Islam, and his seeking to remove the one place of refuge for the Muslims in Abyssinia, Amr (ra) doesn’t just turn a corner and embrace Islam, but he spreads it to Egypt and many places of the world including Gaza which weighs so heavily on us today.

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After he became Muslim, he immediately became perhaps the greatest factor in the spread of Islam throughout the world. Learn about his military genius, his legacy and contributions, and his unexpected death.

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After he became Muslim, he immediately became perhaps the greatest factor in the spread of Islam throughout the world. Learn about his military genius, his legacy and contributions, and his unexpected death.

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He was given the lofty title of the Mufti of Madinah for his rare combination of Hadith and Fiqh. He narrates over 1000 ahadith from the Prophet ﷺ, and lived a long life of devotion all in his home city of Madinah.

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He was given the lofty title of the Mufti of Madinah for his rare combination of Hadith and Fiqh. He narrates over 1000 ahadith from the Prophet ﷺ, and lived a long life of devotion all in his home city of Madinah.

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Published 2023-09-28

Saeed ibn Amir (ra): Haunted by Murder

60 min
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He was a pious governor in Islam who would repent to Allah after witnessing the crucifixion of Khubayb (ra). How did Saeed and other companions who participated in the massacres of Bi'r Mauna and Al Rajee find their way back to Allah after such horrific actions?

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He was a pious governor in Islam who would repent to Allah after witnessing the crucifixion of Khubayb (ra). How did Saeed and other companions who participated in the massacres of Bi'r Mauna and Al Rajee find their way back to Allah after such horrific actions?

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He fell in love with the Prophet ﷺ at first sight, lived in his blessed shadow until he died, and was promised his blessed companionship eternally in Paradise.


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He fell in love with the Prophet ﷺ at first sight, lived in his blessed shadow until he died, and was promised his blessed companionship eternally in Paradise.


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Published 2023-09-11

Asim ibn Thabit (ra): Protector of Faith

43 min
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Asim (ra) was one of the very first to protect our Prophet ﷺ, and of the most beloved companions of them all. Though he was pursued in vengence by an ambushing tribe, he was given a miracle through his last prayer witnessed even by his most hateful enemies. 

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Asim (ra) was one of the very first to protect our Prophet ﷺ, and of the most beloved companions of them all. Though he was pursued in vengence by an ambushing tribe, he was given a miracle through his last prayer witnessed even by his most hateful enemies. 

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Khubayb (ra) is a man of many tragic firsts in Islam. But his story is also filled with many lessons of perseverance, ethics, and sincerity even in the midst of desperation. And for that Allah would bestow miracles upon him that no other companion would encounter.

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Khubayb (ra) is a man of many tragic firsts in Islam. But his story is also filled with many lessons of perseverance, ethics, and sincerity even in the midst of desperation. And for that Allah would bestow miracles upon him that no other companion would encounter.

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Published 2023-08-29

Abu Dujana (ra): The Red Bandana

50 min
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Only one man was worthy of fighting with the sword of the Prophet ﷺ, and he proved that he would honor it in more ways than one. The story of Abu Dujana (ra) is a story of a man who displayed bravery in the most difficult moments of battle, and integrity in every moment of his life.

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Only one man was worthy of fighting with the sword of the Prophet ﷺ, and he proved that he would honor it in more ways than one. The story of Abu Dujana (ra) is a story of a man who displayed bravery in the most difficult moments of battle, and integrity in every moment of his life.

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When the Prophet ﷺ suddenly encounters a chief of a nomad tribe during the Hijra, more people embrace Islam in the desert in an instant than at any point in the years preceding of the Prophetic call.

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When the Prophet ﷺ suddenly encounters a chief of a nomad tribe during the Hijra, more people embrace Islam in the desert in an instant than at any point in the years preceding of the Prophetic call.

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Published 2023-08-08

Suraqa ibn Malik (ra): The Bounty Hunter

15 min
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He went out as a disbeliever hunting the Prophet ﷺ for 100 camels, then came back a believer with the bracelets of the ruler of Persia. A remarkable story about prophecy even in vulnerability.

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He went out as a disbeliever hunting the Prophet ﷺ for 100 camels, then came back a believer with the bracelets of the ruler of Persia. A remarkable story about prophecy even in vulnerability.

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He came from Yemen as soon as he heard the call of the beloved Prophet ﷺ, then brought Islam back to Yemen. He distinguished himself by his love for the Qur’an, and his wisdom in judging all of his affairs by it's guidance.

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He came from Yemen as soon as he heard the call of the beloved Prophet ﷺ, then brought Islam back to Yemen. He distinguished himself by his love for the Qur’an, and his wisdom in judging all of his affairs by it's guidance.

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Published 2023-07-25

Abu Huraira (ra): The Preserver of Hadith

74 min
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The most prolific narrator of ahadith from our beloved Prophet ﷺ, and the heart that Allah chose to give us access to the Sunnah like no other.

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The most prolific narrator of ahadith from our beloved Prophet ﷺ, and the heart that Allah chose to give us access to the Sunnah like no other.

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Published 2023-07-24

Tufayl ibn Amr (ra): The Hidden Legend

54 min
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Behind the conversion of Abu Huraira (ra) and the legacy he would leave behind is a hidden legend from the tribe of al-Daws named Tufayl ibn Amr (ra). While he narrates not a single hadith, his complete story is full of wisdom and worth pondering upon in it's own right.

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Behind the conversion of Abu Huraira (ra) and the legacy he would leave behind is a hidden legend from the tribe of al-Daws named Tufayl ibn Amr (ra). While he narrates not a single hadith, his complete story is full of wisdom and worth pondering upon in it's own right.

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He was entrusted with the most sensitive of secrets due to the special sincerity he possessed. After the tragic death of his father, he lived as the trustee of this Ummah.

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He was entrusted with the most sensitive of secrets due to the special sincerity he possessed. After the tragic death of his father, he lived as the trustee of this Ummah.

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From the lineage of a noble Prophet, Safiyya was viewed with deep suspicion at times due to her roots. But she shined most with the Prophet ﷺ in regards to her love, care, and empathy.


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From the lineage of a noble Prophet, Safiyya was viewed with deep suspicion at times due to her roots. But she shined most with the Prophet ﷺ in regards to her love, care, and empathy.


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She was a distinguished woman due to her lineage, beauty, and nobility before Islam. But our mother would go on to be distinguished by a specific form of worship. She was a blessing to her people through her marriage to the Prophet ﷺ and an example for our Ummah.


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She was a distinguished woman due to her lineage, beauty, and nobility before Islam. But our mother would go on to be distinguished by a specific form of worship. She was a blessing to her people through her marriage to the Prophet ﷺ and an example for our Ummah.


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Published 2023-03-17

Zaynab bint Jahsh (ra): The Longest Arm

74 min
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She came from a noble background, had her marriage contracted by Allah himself in the noble Qur'an, and would be first to join our noble Prophet ﷺ after his death.

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She came from a noble background, had her marriage contracted by Allah himself in the noble Qur'an, and would be first to join our noble Prophet ﷺ after his death.

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Published 2023-03-08

Hafsa bint Umar (ra): Saved by Devotion

68 min
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A life marked by devotion that saw her through her multiple tragedies, and earned her the testimony of the greatest angel. The wife of our beloved Prophet ﷺ who was most noted for her private worship.

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A life marked by devotion that saw her through her multiple tragedies, and earned her the testimony of the greatest angel. The wife of our beloved Prophet ﷺ who was most noted for her private worship.

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The series finale on the remarkable legacy and life of Aisha (ra). What was her life like after the death of the beloved Prophet ﷺ, and what were her unique distinctions that live on until today.

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The series finale on the remarkable legacy and life of Aisha (ra). What was her life like after the death of the beloved Prophet ﷺ, and what were her unique distinctions that live on until today.

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Our mother was known for how beloved she was to the Prophet ﷺ which made her an easy target of the hypocrites. In her defense, Allah revealed verses of the Quran in the wake of the great slander known as hadithatul ifk. And in her lap, the Messenger ﷺ would breathe his last breath.

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Our mother was known for how beloved she was to the Prophet ﷺ which made her an easy target of the hypocrites. In her defense, Allah revealed verses of the Quran in the wake of the great slander known as hadithatul ifk. And in her lap, the Messenger ﷺ would breathe his last breath.

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The love the Prophet ﷺ had for her was unparalleled, and the lessons learned from their marriage serve as a timeless guide for every husband and wife. In this lecture, we focus on the marriage dynamics and position of our mother Aisha (ra) with our beloved Prophet ﷺ.

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The love the Prophet ﷺ had for her was unparalleled, and the lessons learned from their marriage serve as a timeless guide for every husband and wife. In this lecture, we focus on the marriage dynamics and position of our mother Aisha (ra) with our beloved Prophet ﷺ.

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Growing up in a house of sacrifice, she was destined for a life of greatness. In this lecture, we cover her childhood up until her wedding when she would move into the most significant house in Madinah with our Beloved Prophet ﷺ.

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Growing up in a house of sacrifice, she was destined for a life of greatness. In this lecture, we cover her childhood up until her wedding when she would move into the most significant house in Madinah with our Beloved Prophet ﷺ.

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Allah praised them in the Quran for their piety and love to be purified. Each one of them had an incredibly beautiful story of sacrifice that was oft-repeated amongst the Companions.

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Allah praised them in the Quran for their piety and love to be purified. Each one of them had an incredibly beautiful story of sacrifice that was oft-repeated amongst the Companions.

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His father was of the first to embrace Islam, and he was the last companion to die in Madinah. He was left early on to care for many sisters, yet ended up being one of the caretakers of this Ummah.

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His father was of the first to embrace Islam, and he was the last companion to die in Madinah. He was left early on to care for many sisters, yet ended up being one of the caretakers of this Ummah.

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They were the children of hypocrites who got married the night before Uhud. What followed was a miracle unique to Hanzala (ra), and a child who lived his father’s legacy.

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They were the children of hypocrites who got married the night before Uhud. What followed was a miracle unique to Hanzala (ra), and a child who lived his father’s legacy.

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While his father undermined the Prophet (Saw) at every juncture, he served alongside the Prophet (saw) in his most difficult moments. He was the opposite of his father, and opposed him when he hurt the Prophet (saw).

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While his father undermined the Prophet (Saw) at every juncture, he served alongside the Prophet (saw) in his most difficult moments. He was the opposite of his father, and opposed him when he hurt the Prophet (saw).

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He was the chief of his tribe, and a devoted idol worshipper. But when he embraced Islam, he would stop at nothing to get to Jannah even though he had a disability.

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He was the chief of his tribe, and a devoted idol worshipper. But when he embraced Islam, he would stop at nothing to get to Jannah even though he had a disability.

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A look at the unique characteristics of the Asma’s of Madinah, with emphasis on Asma bint Yazid. They refused to be left out of any reward, and expressed the desire to be by the side of the Prophet (saw) in every situation.

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A look at the unique characteristics of the Asma’s of Madinah, with emphasis on Asma bint Yazid. They refused to be left out of any reward, and expressed the desire to be by the side of the Prophet (saw) in every situation.

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The young scholar who was described by Prophet ﷺ as the most knowledgeable of this Ummah in halal and haram, and who was told by the Prophet ﷺ that he loved him for Allah.

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The young scholar who was described by Prophet ﷺ as the most knowledgeable of this Ummah in halal and haram, and who was told by the Prophet ﷺ that he loved him for Allah.

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He was a young genius when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, and now shares a reward in the recitation of every Muslim due to his compiling of the Quran. 

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He was a young genius when the Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah, and now shares a reward in the recitation of every Muslim due to his compiling of the Quran. 

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Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (ra) embodied sacrifice in every way, and would be seen defending the Prophet ﷺ from every direction. Every one in her family followed her noble example.

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Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (ra) embodied sacrifice in every way, and would be seen defending the Prophet ﷺ from every direction. Every one in her family followed her noble example.

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Hassan ibn Thabit (ra) was the most talented of poets, aided by Jibreel (as) as he defended the Prophet ﷺ against his enemies. While that same tongue fell into tragic error, we honor him for his years of service to Islam.


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Hassan ibn Thabit (ra) was the most talented of poets, aided by Jibreel (as) as he defended the Prophet ﷺ against his enemies. While that same tongue fell into tragic error, we honor him for his years of service to Islam.


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Ka'ab Ibn Malik (ra) was an  eloquent poet who was silenced and then elevated through his story to be the most narrated about repenter in the history of Islam.

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Ka'ab Ibn Malik (ra) was an  eloquent poet who was silenced and then elevated through his story to be the most narrated about repenter in the history of Islam.

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Dr. Omar Suleiman talks about Abdullah Ibn Rawahah (ra), who with his piety as remarkable as his poetry, was the first of the poets who defended the Prophet ﷺ and most noted for his virtues.

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Dr. Omar Suleiman talks about Abdullah Ibn Rawahah (ra), who with his piety as remarkable as his poetry, was the first of the poets who defended the Prophet ﷺ and most noted for his virtues.

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He was the man who the companions used to say was the most sincere amongst them in combining knowledge and action. Dr. Omar Suleiman talks about Abu Darda (RA) and a legacy of scholarship, spirituality, and wisdom that spanned Madinah to Syria and beyond.

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He was the man who the companions used to say was the most sincere amongst them in combining knowledge and action. Dr. Omar Suleiman talks about Abu Darda (RA) and a legacy of scholarship, spirituality, and wisdom that spanned Madinah to Syria and beyond.

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Published 2022-09-13

Salman Al Farsi (ra): Back to Persia

72 min
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Part 2 of the journey of Salman (ra) with Dr. Omar Suleiman takes us through the events that led this noble companion from the trenches of Madinah back to the heart of the Persian empire.

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Part 2 of the journey of Salman (ra) with Dr. Omar Suleiman takes us through the events that led this noble companion from the trenches of Madinah back to the heart of the Persian empire.

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Published 2022-09-06

Salman Al Farsi (ra): The Truth Seeker

69 min
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Dr. Omar Suleiman talks about the journey of truth that took the son of a Zoroastrian chief from Persia, through the churches of Syria and Iraq, to eventually becoming one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah.

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Dr. Omar Suleiman talks about the journey of truth that took the son of a Zoroastrian chief from Persia, through the churches of Syria and Iraq, to eventually becoming one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet ﷺ in Madinah.

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Abdullah ibn Salam moved to Madinah in anticipation of the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ, and went on to become one of the greatest companions to ever live. A scholar who knew multiple scriptures, and was promised paradise on more than one occassion. 


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Abdullah ibn Salam moved to Madinah in anticipation of the arrival of the Prophet ﷺ, and went on to become one of the greatest companions to ever live. A scholar who knew multiple scriptures, and was promised paradise on more than one occassion. 


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Al Bara’ Ibn Malik (ra) was a man who people looked down upon, but that led the way with his courage in some of the most pivotal battles of Islam.


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Al Bara’ Ibn Malik (ra) was a man who people looked down upon, but that led the way with his courage in some of the most pivotal battles of Islam.


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Ubahada inb al-Samit (ra) was a leader who immediately inspired awe in others and established Islam in so many ways in different parts of the world.

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Ubahada inb al-Samit (ra) was a leader who immediately inspired awe in others and established Islam in so many ways in different parts of the world.

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Published 2022-06-07

Umm Haram (ra): When Dreams Come True

61 min
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Introducing the aunts and uncles of Anas (ra) to properly appreciate this family of sacrifice, with emphasis on the life and vision of Umm Haram (ra). 

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Introducing the aunts and uncles of Anas (ra) to properly appreciate this family of sacrifice, with emphasis on the life and vision of Umm Haram (ra). 

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