The Firsts
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.
Episodes
160 episodes
Ubaydullah ibn Abbas (ra): The Rich Little Brother
He wasn’t a scholar like his brother, but he found his own way to serve.While Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra) became one of the greatest scholars of Islam, his younger brother Ubaydullah (ra) chose a different path: business, generosity, and su...
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21:33
Fadl ibn Abbas (ra): How The Prophet ﷺ Made Him Lower His Gaze
He rode behind the Prophet ﷺ, stood by him in battle, and carried him to his final resting place. Fadl ibn Abbas (ra) may not be well-known, but his life was filled with unforgettable moments: from the powerful lesson behind “lower your gaze” t...
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28:49
The Ocean of Knowledge: The Life of Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra)
What made a teenager one of the most trusted scholars of the Qur’an among the Prophet ﷺ’s Companions? In this episode, discover the remarkable life of Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra) — the Prophet ﷺ’s cousin, student, and the Ocean of Know...
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1:29:33
Abdullah ibn Ja’far (ra): Son of the Man With Two Wings
Born a refugee, embraced by the Prophet ﷺ, and connected to nearly every major trial in early Islamic history, Abdullah ibn Ja'far (ra) lived a life marked by displacement, loss, and legacy. From the shores of Abyssinia to the tragedy of Karbal...
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12:19
Umm Kulthum bt. Ali (ra): Daughter of Nobility and Tragedy
“O daughter of the noble ones!” This was the way to address the younger granddaughter of the Prophet ﷺ, Umm Kulthum bint Ali (ra).She was a woman of piety, like her mother Fatima (ra). In the glimpses we have into her life, we see her m...
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23:14
Zaynab bint Ali (ra): A Voice of Courage
A granddaughter of the Prophet ﷺ, exemplary for her patience, courage and generosity. She established institutions to support the poor, elderly, and disabled. She persevered after the painful massacre of her family at Karbala, and eloquently sp...
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45:36
Husayn ibn Ali (ra): Redefining Victory in Karbala
Who is Husayn (ra)? The beloved grandson of the Prophet ﷺ, a role model for believers in their pursuits of justice, and the master of the youth of Jannah.Dr. Omar Suleiman explores his life in depth: his birth and childhood, his grandfa...
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1:27:30
Hasan ibn Ali (ra): The Beloved Grandson of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ called his grandson a sayyid, and indeed, Hasan (ra) was a master among men.Explore the life and legacy of Hasan ibn Ali (ra) in rich detail: his joyous birth, the Prophet ﷺ’s love for him, his unique personality and gener...
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1:20:03
Ammar ibn Yasir (ra): Sacrifice After Trauma
The son of the first martyrs, a martyr himself, and the father of a martyr. Ammar ibn Yasir (ra) was part of a family chosen by Allah for shahadah. Learn his inspiring story, from being one of the first Muslims; facing torture ...
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1:07:29
Tamim al-Dari (ra): The Palestinian Sahabi That Met Dajjal
A Palestinian companion of the Prophet ﷺ. The first to light up masjids with oil lamps. He loved the Qur’an. He famously met the Dajjal. This is the story of the incredible Tamim al-Dari (ra).
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55:58
Jarir ibn Abdullah (ra): The Yusuf of This Ummah
How beautiful would you be if an angel wiped your face? It happened to Jarir ibn Abdullah (ra), a Yemeni companion of the Prophet ﷺ. He was called “the Yusuf of this ummah.” But he had another special gift—the power of persuasion.
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53:46
Adi ibn Hatim al-Tai (ra): From Christian King to Companion
The son of Hatim al-Tai, one of the most famous figures in Arab history, walks into the Prophet ﷺ’s room in Madinah. What happened next transformed the heart of this Christian king.How did the son of Arabia’s most famous man become one ...
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48:11
Zayd ibn al-Khattab (ra): The Quiet Brother of Omar (ra)
Siblings with very different personalities can serve Islam in their own ways. Omar ibn al khattab (ra) was outspoken and larger-than-life. What about his older brother, Zayd ibn al-Khattab (ra), the silent giant of this ummah?
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57:07
Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid (ra): From False Prophet to Shaheed
Is your faith journey complicated? Wait until you hear this story. He embraced Islam. Then he left it. Then he committed the worst sins. He thought he could repent again. After so many twists and turns, you might be surprised at how hi...
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57:57
Ka’b ibn Zuhayr (ra): The Story of the First Burda
Prior to his conversion, Ka’b ibn Zuhayr (ra) is responsible for the latest diss tracks coming out about Islam. He’s insulting the Prophet ﷺ, the Muslims, and making implications about Muslim women. But as the Prophet ﷺ’s power grows, the world...
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51:20
Thumama ibn Uthal (ra): The most powerful Muslim of his time?
The Quraysh abuse a man who is performing umrah. But they quickly realize the consequences, because he may have been the most powerful Muslim in the world at the time.
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55:38
Muhammad ibn Maslama (ra): The Knight of Rasulullah ﷺ
He was named Muhammad before Islam. He was the knight of the Messenger ﷺ. He was the guardian of Madinah. He was the caliph's investigator. Who was he?
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1:09:32
A Foiled Conspiracy: Umayr ibn Wahb (ra) & Safwan ibn Umayyah (ra)
After the Battle of Badr, two cousins secretly conspired to kill the Prophet ﷺ. Neither of them could have predicted where this conspiracy would eventually take them.
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1:02:46
The Children of Ta’if Who Stoned the Prophet ﷺ
Imagine having stoned the Prophet ﷺ as a child, only to realize who he was as an adult. How do you even become Muslim on that day? Were any of the children even listening to what he was saying while they carried out the brutal order to stone hi...
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20:12
Abu Mahdhura (ra): The Kid Who Mocked Adhan
As the Prophet ﷺ left the siege of Ta’if, a group of youth were making fun of the adhan. The Prophet ﷺ saw past their mockery and stuck to his hope of their becoming Muslim. In one of the most beautiful stories of the Prophetic lens, we gain ne...
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16:34
Abu Bakra (ra): The Freed Slave of Allah
So often confused for Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra), this prolific narrator of hadith escaped Ta’if in such a unique way that he was named after this incident. After this lecture, you will never read his name as a typo again.
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28:26