The Firsts

Religion & Spirituality

About

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 ww...

Episodes

  • Umm Mahjan (ra): The Woman Who Cleaned the Masjid

    This episode explores the life of Umm Mahjan (ra), a woman known for cleaning the masjid. The discussion highlights the Prophet's ﷺ regard for her and the special arrangements made for her funeral.

  • Bishr ibn al-Baraa (ra): The Story of the Poisoning of the Prophet ﷺ

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life of Bishr ibn al-Baraa (ra), focusing on his role as an early Muslim and his martyrdom following an attempt to poison the Prophet Muhammad. The discussion also explores Quranic verses associated…

  • Al-Baraa ibn Ma'roor (ra): He Made Two Good Mistakes

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life and character of Al-Baraa ibn Ma'roor (ra), an early companion of the Prophet Muhammad. It explores his decision to pray facing the Ka’bah before the official change of the qiblah and his legacy…

  • Al-Baraa ibn Aazib (ra): He Described the Grave in Detail

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life of Al-Baraa ibn Aazib (ra), who witnessed the Prophet's arrival in Madinah and participated in several battles. It specifically highlights his role in preserving the Prophet's teachings regardin…

  • Umayr ibn Sa’d (ra): First in Salah and Battle

    This episode profiles the life of Umayr ibn Sa'd (ra), a young companion of the Prophet Muhammad who was praised for his honesty and integrity. It explores his defense from a verse in Surah al-Tawbah and his reputation for justice during t…

  • Zayd ibn Al-Arqam (ra): Exposer of Hypocrites

    This episode explores the life of the companion Zayd ibn al-Arqam, focusing on his early years, his role in exposing hypocrisy, and the revelation of Surah al-Munafiqun. It also highlights his contributions to the narration of hadiths rega…

  • Fatima bint Qays (ra): She Preserved Hadiths About Dajjal and Divorce

    This episode explores the life of Fatima bint Qays (ra), a respected companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ known for her narrations about the Dajjal and her role in historical events. It discusses her marriage to Usama ibn Zayd (ra) and her…

  • Usama ibn Zayd (ra): The Prophet ﷺ’s Chosen Grandson

    This episode of The Firsts explores the life of Usama ibn Zayd, a man raised in the household of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It discusses his upbringing, his relationship with the Prophet ﷺ, and his later role leading military expeditions.

  • Abdullah ibn Amr (ra): The One Who Preserved The Sunnah

    This episode explores the life of Abdullah ibn Amr (ra), a companion who dedicated himself to preserving the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad through writing. It highlights his pursuit of knowledge and his possible final resting place in…

  • Urwa ibn az-Zubayr (ra): The First Muslim Historian

    This episode explores the life of Urwa ibn az-Zubayr (ra), highlighting his dedication to knowledge and his legacy as one of the first Muslim historians and scholars in Madinah.

  • Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (ra): The Defender of Mecca

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life, leadership, and martyrdom of Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (ra). It discusses his upbringing, his role during a challenging period in early Islamic history, and a specific dhikr he recited after praye…

  • Abdullah ibn Umar (ra): The Prophet’s ﷺ Shadow

    This episode explores the life of Abdullah ibn Umar (ra), highlighting his dedication to preserving the Sunnah and his devotion to the Prophet ﷺ. It examines his commitment to humility, his rejection of positions of power, and his role as…

  • Qutham ibn Abbas (ra): The Prophet’s ﷺ Lookalike

    This episode of The Firsts explores the life of Qutham ibn Abbas (ra), focusing on his physical resemblance to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his upbringing, and his role as a martyr who helped spread Islam in Samarqand.

  • Ubaydullah ibn Abbas (ra): The Rich Little Brother

    This episode explores the life of Ubaydullah ibn Abbas, the younger brother of Abdullah ibn Abbas. It highlights his approach to serving Islam through business, generosity, and supporting the community instead of traditional scholarship.

  • Fadl ibn Abbas (ra): How The Prophet ﷺ Made Him Lower His Gaze

    This episode explores the life of Fadl ibn Abbas, featuring his experiences with the Prophet, including his role during Hajj and his presence at the Prophet's final resting place. The discussion also covers the lesson on lowering one's gaz…

  • The Ocean of Knowledge: The Life of Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra)

    This episode explores the life of Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra), examining his journey from childhood to becoming a trusted scholar of the Qur'an and a leader among the Prophet's companions.

  • Abdullah ibn Ja’far (ra): Son of the Man With Two Wings

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life of Abdullah ibn Ja'far (ra), detailing his experiences from his birth as a refugee to his connections with key events in early Islamic history, including the tragedy of Karbala.

  • Umm Kulthum bt. Ali (ra): Daughter of Nobility and Tragedy

    This episode of The Firsts explores the life of Umm Kulthum bint Ali (ra), the granddaughter of the Prophet (ﷺ), detailing her piety, her marriages, and the personal tragedies she endured throughout her life.

  • Zaynab bint Ali (ra): A Voice of Courage

    This episode of The Firsts explores the life of Zaynab bint Ali (ra), highlighting her patience, courage, and dedication to supporting the marginalized. It discusses her advocacy for truth and her lasting legacy as a role model from the Ah…

  • Husayn ibn Ali (ra): Redefining Victory in Karbala

    Dr. Omar Suleiman explores the life and legacy of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, covering his upbringing, sense of justice, and martyrdom at Karbala. The episode highlights the lessons listeners can learn from his st…

  • Hasan ibn Ali (ra): The Beloved Grandson of the Prophet ﷺ

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life and legacy of Hasan ibn Ali (ra), focusing on his relationship with the Prophet ﷺ, his leadership as the fifth caliph, his character, and his role in reconciling the ummah.

  • Ammar ibn Yasir (ra): Sacrifice After Trauma

    This episode explores the life of Ammar ibn Yasir (ra), detailing his experiences as one of the first Muslims, the persecution his family faced, and his lifelong commitment to the faith alongside the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

  • Tamim al-Dari (ra): The Palestinian Sahabi That Met Dajjal

    This episode of The Firsts tells the story of Tamim al-Dari (ra), a companion of the Prophet ﷺ. The episode covers his love for the Qur'an, his role in introducing oil lamps to masjids, and his well-known account of meeting the Dajjal.

  • Jarir ibn Abdullah (ra): The Yusuf of This Ummah

    This episode of The Firsts discusses the life of Jarir ibn Abdullah (ra), a companion of the Prophet ﷺ from Yemen who was known as the Yusuf of this ummah. The discussion highlights his physical beauty and his aptitude for persuasion.

  • Adi ibn Hatim al-Tai (ra): From Christian King to Companion

    This episode explores the life of Adi ibn Hatim al-Tai, son of the famous Hatim al-Tai, and his journey from being a Christian king to becoming a companion of the Prophet Muhammad.

  • Abbad ibn Bishr (ra): The Friend of the Qur’an

    This episode of The Firsts focuses on the life and legacy of Abbad ibn Bishr (ra), known as the Friend of the Qur'an.

  • Thabit ibn Qays (ra): Promised Jannah After A Sin

    This episode of The Firsts discusses the life of Thabit ibn Qays (ra) and the narrative surrounding his promise of Jannah following a sin.

  • Zayd ibn al-Khattab (ra): The Quiet Brother of Omar (ra)

    This episode explores the life of Zayd ibn al-Khattab, the older brother of Omar ibn al-Khattab, and how his quieter personality contributed to the service of Islam.

  • Ka’b ibn Zuhayr (ra): The Story of the First Burda

    This episode of The Firsts examines the life of the poet Ka’b ibn Zuhayr, focusing on his past criticisms of Islam and his eventual transition as the Prophet’s influence grew.

  • Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid (ra): From False Prophet to Shaheed

    This episode discusses the life story of Tulayha ibn Khuwaylid, tracing his journey from embracing Islam to leaving the faith and his eventual return. It explores the complexities of his life and his ultimate fate.

  • Thumama ibn Uthal (ra): The most powerful Muslim of his time?

    This episode discusses the life and influence of Thumama ibn Uthal (ra), exploring the consequences faced by the Quraysh after mistreating him during his umrah. It examines his unique position as a powerful figure in the early Islamic peri…

  • A Foiled Conspiracy: Umayr ibn Wahb (ra) & Safwan ibn Umayyah (ra)

    This episode of The Firsts examines the secret conspiracy between cousins Umayr ibn Wahb and Safwan ibn Umayyah to kill the Prophet following the Battle of Badr and the unexpected resolution to their plot.

  • Muhammad ibn Maslama (ra): The Knight of Rasulullah ﷺ

    This episode of The Firsts explores the life and various roles of Muhammad ibn Maslama (ra), highlighting his contributions as a knight of the Prophet (pbuh), a guardian of Madinah, and an investigator for the caliphs.

  • Abu Mahdhura (ra): The Kid Who Mocked Adhan

    A discussion of the story of Abu Mahdhura during the Prophet's return from Ta’if. The episode examines the Prophet's reaction to youth mocking the adhan and how his approach helped them embrace Islam.

  • The Children of Ta’if Who Stoned the Prophet ﷺ

    This episode explores the account of the children in Ta’if who threw stones at the Prophet ﷺ. It examines what happened when those children later learned his identity and whether the Prophet ﷺ saw their eventual conversion to Islam.

  • Abu Bakra (ra): The Freed Slave of Allah

    This lecture discusses the life and significance of Abu Bakra (ra), a prolific narrator of hadith. It provides context on his escape from Ta'if and helps distinguish him from Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra).

  • The Jinn Who Became Muslim

    This episode explores the early conversion of Jinn to Islam, discussing who they were, how they became Muslim, when they were sent by Allah, and their relationship with the rejectors of Ta’if.

  • Addas (ra) of Ta’if: The Brother of Yunus (as)

    This episode of The Firsts discusses Addas (ra), a slave in Ta'if who became the only person to convert to Islam on the day the Prophet ﷺ was attacked there.

  • The Prophet ﷺ’s Bodyguard: Mughira ibn Shu‘ba (ra)

    This episode explores the life of Mughira ibn Shu‘ba (ra), detailing his conversion to Islam and his role as a bodyguard for the Prophet ﷺ before his return to Ta’if to carry out the destruction of an idol.

  • The Most Honored Man By The Prophet ﷺ

    This episode of The Firsts explores the life of the Prophet Muhammad's last uncle, highlighting the special honor he received from the Prophet and his companions. It reflects on his unique character and his significance to the Muslim commu…

  • When Allah Guided the Children of Abu Lahab

    This episode tells the story of how the children of Abu Lahab, an opponent of the Prophet Muhammad, converted to Islam. It explores their lives as believers and their relationship with the Prophet.

  • Hakim ibn Hizam (ra): When Money Stops Mattering

    This episode explores the life of Hakim ibn Hizam (ra), the nephew of Khadijah (ra), focusing on his journey from a worldly life to embracing Islam and the hereafter.

  • Urwa ibn Masud (ra): The Chief Who Resembled Isa (as)

    This episode examines the life of Urwa ibn Masud (ra), a noble leader who initially served as a Quraysh negotiator before embracing Islam and eventually losing his life while calling his people to the faith.

  • Mothers of the Prophet ﷺ: Amina and Halima al-Sa’diyya

    This episode explores the early life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, focusing on his time with his foster mother, Halima al-Sa’diyya, and their reunion during his later years.

  • Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl (ra): The Pious Son of Pharoah

    This episode explores the life of Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, tracing his journey from an opponent of the Prophet ﷺ to one of his loyal companions. His story highlights themes of selflessness and martyrdom.

  • The Prophet ﷺ’s Brother: Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith (ra)

    This episode explores the life of Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith, the first cousin and foster brother of the Prophet Muhammad. It details his initial role as an adversary to the Prophet before his eventual reconciliation and conversion to Islam.

  • Abu Sufyan ibn Harb (ra): Forgiving the Enemy

    This episode explores the life of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, who transitioned from an opponent of the Prophet ﷺ to a leader forgiven for the sake of the greater cause.

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

    This episode explores the life of Amr ibn al-As (ra), detailing his transition from an opponent of the Prophet ﷺ to a figure who spread Islam to places including Egypt and Gaza.

  • Amr ibn al-As (ra): His Wicked Father & “Better” Brother

    This episode of The Firsts explores the family background of Amr ibn al-As, discussing his father’s opposition to the Prophet and his brother Hisham’s early conversion to Islam.

  • Khalid ibn al-Walid (ra): The Legendary Military General

    This episode explores the life of Khalid ibn al-Walid, detailing his military genius following his conversion to Islam and his contributions to the religion's spread. It also covers his legacy and the circumstances of his death.