Series11 episodes

The Firsts

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 1): Trendsetters, Revivers, and Strangers

Episode 1Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 1): Trendsetters, Revivers, and StrangersWho are The Firsts? To kick off the lecture series, Sh. Omar Suleiman describes the 5 categories of firsts in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 2): Zaid Ibn Amr (ra): A One Man Ummah

Episode 2Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 2): Zaid Ibn Amr (ra): A One Man UmmahZaid Ibn Amr Ibn Nufaid (ra) is an absolutely remarkable figure in the history of Islam and has a story unlike any other from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ. Aside from being a monotheist before the coming of Islam, he would guide people to what pleased Allah based on intuition and fitrah (natural disposition).

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 3): Waraqa Ibn Nawfal: The First to Confirm Prophethood

Episode 3Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 3): Waraqa Ibn Nawfal: The First to Confirm ProphethoodWe find Waraqa in the seerah and at the very beginning of Sahih Bukhari, but with little beyond his death - making the rest of his life a mystery. Who was he before that? What is his story? What is his status? Sh. Omar Suleiman tells the story of Waraqa Ibn Nawfal, the first to confirm the prophethood.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 4): Khadijah: His First Love, Our First Mother

Episode 4Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 4): Khadijah: His First Love, Our First MotherIn episode 4 of the Firsts, dive into the many “firsts” accomplished by the best woman of her time, Kadijah bint Khuwaylid (ra), the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) first love and wife. Sh. Omar Suleiman describes the relationship and love between Khadijah (ra) and the Prophet (pbuh), her support, and her station as the first woman to become Muslim.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 5): Umm Ayman: The Woman Who Never Stopped Caring

Episode 5Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 5): Umm Ayman: The Woman Who Never Stopped CaringIn episode 5 of the Firsts, Sh. Omar Suleiman introduces us to Barakah Bint Thalaba, or Umm Ayman, the woman who never stopped caring. Umm Ayman was a second mother to the Prophet ﷺ after his mother passed. Not only is she the second woman to accept Islam, she is the only woman to have been with him from his birth till his death.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 6): Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra): Courageous & Steadfast

Episode 6Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 6): Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra): Courageous & SteadfastProphet Muhammad’s ﷺ love for Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) was immense. It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ asked Allah to show love to those who love Ali and to show hate to those who hate Ali. Tune in to episode 6 of The Firsts as Sh. Omar Suleiman talks about the first child to embrace Islam, and the companion with more narrations about his virtues than any other.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 7): The First Family: Ali (ra) and Fatima (ra)

Episode 7Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 7): The First Family: Ali (ra) and Fatima (ra)Both Ali and Fatima were raised by the beloved Prophet ﷺ and had a special place in his heart. They were married by the Prophet ﷺ then counseled by him. Through their blessed marriage, a community came together and a community remains inspired. They faced obstacles that we all face in our marriage but by the guidance of Allah, the advice of the Prophet ﷺ, and the faith in their hearts, they were able to pull through and leave behind one of the greatest examples of a marriage ever to exist. And in studying this blessed family, we get to see our Prophet ﷺ in a new light: as a loving father, grandfather, and father in law.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 8): Ali and Fatima: From Love to the Pain of Death

Episode 8Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 8): Ali and Fatima: From Love to the Pain of Death"Many came to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, asking whom he loved the most, including Ali (ra) and Fatima (ra). He had the most eloquent answer, while maintaining his character of honesty. Even though Fatima was very dear to him and his heart was very attached to her, he didn’t want to answer in a way that would hurt Ali, whom he loved as his own son. He looked at Ali and said, 'She is more beloved to me than you, but you are more precious to me than her', making them both very happy."

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 9): Abu Bakr: Second to None in the Pursuit of God

Episode 9Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 9): Abu Bakr: Second to None in the Pursuit of GodAbu Bakr al-Siddiq (ra) was the ultimate "first": quick to believe, quick to do good, never hesitant to follow the Prophet ﷺ, and had a natural instinct toward good. In Episode 9 of The Firsts, Sh. Omar Suleiman describes the noble character of Abu Bakr (ra), his friendship with the Prophet ﷺ, and his unmatched legacy.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 10): Abu Bakr: Setting His Own Standards

Episode 10Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 10): Abu Bakr: Setting His Own StandardsAbu Bakr's (ra) character is best described by the words of Ali (ra), 'he is the first to every good'. Abu Bakr (ra) was the ultimate trendsetter, the fastest to do the good deed. In episode 10 of The Firsts, Sh. Omar Suleiman continues to talk about Abu Bakr (ra) and his elevation in the pursuit of good. The standards that he set and the inspiration that he had to achieve the good deed and how we can learn from him in setting our own goals and placing a higher standard on ourselves and actions.

Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 11): Abu Bakr (Part 3): There Will Never Be Another One

Episode 11Omar Suleiman - The Firsts (Episode 11): Abu Bakr (Part 3): There Will Never Be Another OneProphet Muhammad ﷺ was keen to remember and honor “the firsts” for their support, suffering, and sincerity. Abu Bakr’s (ra) honor surpassed everyone’s, including that of Umar ibn al Khattab (ra). He surpassed everyone by a distance that no one could ever catch up to. His status is sanctified as the first after the prophets. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said the sun has never risen or set on anyone, after the prophets, that is better than Abu Bakr, and that he will be the first to enter Paradise in his nation.