Imam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. He’s also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center, and Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith alliance for peace and justice.
Originally from New Orleans, LA, he began his journey of traditional Islamic learning in the year 2000 and has spent years studying in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Malaysia, etc. Upon becoming certified in various traditional sciences, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic law, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Islamic Finance, a Master’s Degree in Political History, and is in the process of completing his PhD from the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Islamic Thought and Civilization.
His career started in his hometown of New Orleans where he served as the Imam of the Jefferson Muslim Association in New Orleans for 6 years and directed the ICNA Relief “Muslims for Humanity” Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. It was in this time that he was noted on a national level as being a strong advocate of community service, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. He co-founded the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association and was awarded for his outstanding civic achievement by the Mayor and City Council of New Orleans in 2010.
He then moved to Dallas and became the Resident Scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in 2013 and more recently, Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square. In Dallas, he has been a noted leader and voice for peace, and has partaken as a representative of the Muslim Community in many city functions. He has since been a guest at various national functions to share his experiences in community building.
Shaykh Omar most recently founded the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research which is a think tank that focuses on instilling conviction based on Islamic texts, and producing contribution. He also founded M.U.H.S.E.N (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs), a nonprofit umbrella organization serving the community to establish a more inclusive “Special Friendly” environment for our Brothers & Sisters of all Disabilities.
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In Episode #8, our humble Imam informs us of the role the angel plays concerning our character. The greatest test of good character is how a person of best character deals with the person of the lowest of character. The prophet s.a.w was once insulted by a man while the prophet s.a.w. was sitting with Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr witnessed those insults and when the prophet s.a.w responded with patience, Abu Bakr responded. The instant he did so the prophet s.a.w. leaves. Abu Bakr worried the prophet s.a....
Sh. Omar Suleiman shares and reflects on a beautiful du'a stated by Prophet Yunus (Jonah) as he was in the belly of the whale. This du'a is said to clear all hardship and be answered by Allah (swt) if given sincerely by the believer. Explore more resources on dealing with the Coronavirus: https://bit.ly/39lVeV6
Sh. Omar Suleiman revisits the concept of reward based on patience shown in times of hardship and how you should focus on asking Allah for the reward without asking for the struggle. Explore more resources on dealing with the Coronavirus: https://bit.ly/39lVeV6
In Episode #7, the respected Imam informs us that throughout the day we have an angel that with reins at our head above which is a banner. if you are humble to Allah, Allah tells the angel to raise those reins, i.e. raising us in the sight of Allah. If you are arrogant those reins are lowered, i.e. humiliated in the sight of Allah. and above it a banner As for the banner, something will be written it dependent upon our intention for the day. What is written on that banner? Take this four minute ...
Juz' 7 with Dr. Nazir Khan _ Sh. Omar Suleiman and Sh. Abdullah Oduro, joined by special guest Dr. Nazir Khan, explore gems from the seventh Juz' of the Holy Quran. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
Juz' 6 with Mufti Abdul Rahman Waheed Sh. Omar Suleiman and Sh. Abdullah Oduro, joined by special guest Mufti Abdul Rahman Waheed, explore gems from the sixth Juz' of the Holy Quran. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
As You Step Out. When you're about to step out into the world, and you say this prayer, you will be protected... Bismillah, tawakkaltu âala Allah, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa-billah In the name of Allah, I've put my trust in Allah, and there is no power or might except that which belongs to Allah. Angels in Your Presence by Omar Suleiman, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
In Episode #5, our beloved Imam addresses the effect of a night of sleep with wudu’ on our following day. Did you know that not only humans work on shifts but there are in fact angels who work on a shift? Evening and morning? Their shifts begin and end at fajr and asr. The two angels of the ‘asr shift out with each other two at the time of fajr. Allah will ask them how did you leave my servant and they will answer. What is their answer? What methodology should you employ to get ahead of others? ...
Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on a stories from the past that showed a great deal of compassion and sensitivity. We can learn from these companions by being compassionate and sensitive to each other as we go through these difficult times together.
Heaven's Celebrities are Often Unknown on Earth Fame is not a ladder to the Creator, it can actually be the greatest testimony against a person in the Hereafter. Tune in as Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on what makes us great and what defines greatness.
Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on the idea of loneliness and provides a few tips on what we as a community can do to help others and help ourselves deal with loneliness during this time and afterwards.
Ask for the Replacement to be More The perfect supplication is when you ask Allah (swt) for the best, the highest in your perception, and accepting what He grants as the best. But how do you do this in times of hardship, times of loss and uncertainty?
Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on the subject of handling more than we can bare while referencing the ayah that states that God does not burden or test us beyond our scope.
Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on the idea that while Allah may test us with hardships, He does not ask us to put ourselves in harmâs way to prove our loyalty to Him. At the same time, when Allah does test us, He has given us the tools to handle the test and gain reward from it.
To be spared and grateful Is more beloved than to be tested and patient Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on the idea of asking Allah for hardship in order to gain more reward. However it is a narrated that to be spared and grateful is better than to be tested and patient.
Istighfar, or seeking forgiveness, both prevents hardship and is a means of relieving hardship. Sh. Omar Suleiman describes one of the best du'as to make for seeking Allah's forgiveness.
In Episode #4, the respected Imam begins our understanding the role of the angels with our night sleep. The prophet s.a.w. said when a person makes wudu’ Allah sends an angel that spends the entire night at your head supplicating to Allah to forgive His servant as he went to sleep in the state of purification. And the prophet s.a.w. said that the recitation of the Ayatul Kursi before sleep would have Allah send an angel that would stand guard and protect from the shayateen. So for how long does ...
In Episode #3, Imam Omar Suleiman talks about those times when we are fasting and yet we are surrounded by those who aren’t. It's natural to feel an instance of annoyance or even envy that they are eating while you aren’t. You may not know it but those instances are some of the most blessed moments in your life and you owe it to the angels. Truly. Why? Well find that five minutes which is all the time this talk takes to discover why.
On the fourth night of Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ did not show up to lead Taraweeh. Tune in as Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on this incident and the meaning behind it.
Sh. Omar Suleiman describes a narration where Ali (ra) spent four dirhams in charity to search for Allah's mercy, as well as the lessons we can take about planting seeds in all forms of good.
10 Essential Tips The holiest month of the year is nearly upon us! What can we do to make this the most spiritually productive and fulfilling Ramadan we've ever had? Join our panel of speakers as they offer 10 practical tips to make the most of Ramadan this year.
Sh. Omar Suleiman shares a beautiful statement by Ali (ra) that in essence tells us not to belittle good deeds, and not to belittle other people regardless of their status.
Sh. Omar Suleiman reflects on the story of a Bedouin who describes himself between two states: that of thanking Allah, and seeking forgiveness from Him, and how his simple praise of Allah was considered masterful.
