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.
He was anxious to see the Prophet ﷺ every day, and even more anxious to be with him in Jannah. And by serving the Prophet ﷺ and keenly learning from him, Thawban (ra) went from being a prisoner-of-war to a freed-slave and then to becoming one of the greatest teachers of hadith — including many hadith about the signs of the Day of Judgment — to the ummah.
If you asked him his name, he would use the nickname the Prophet ﷺ had given him: a ship. He served the Prophet ﷺ in his expeditions, spoke to a lion, and narrated a hadith about the Khulafa al-Rashidin (Rightly-Guided Caliphs) at a critical moment in the ummah’s history. Dr. Omar Suleiman also reflects on the importance of Muslims using good names and nicknames.
While others mocked Julaybib (ra) for his small stature, the Prophet ﷺ exalted him among society, even facilitating his marriage to a beautiful, wealthy woman. He was among those at Badr. Find out what the Prophet ﷺ said when he discovered his body after battle.
Zahir (ra) was a man who struggled with his appearance and low self-esteem — until the Prophet ﷺ uplifted his heart in a beautiful and unforgettable way. Through gifts, genuine respect, and a lighthearted joke, the Prophet ﷺ made Zahir ibn Haram al-Ashja’i (ra) feel valued when others overlooked him.
To some, she was just the masjid’s janitor. But to the Prophet ﷺ, she was more noble than many. Not much is known about the life of Umm Mahjan (ra). But what we do know is enough to emulate. When she died, the Prophet ﷺ immediately noticed her absence and gave her a special funeral. Learn what he ﷺ said at her gravesite.
Like his father, Al-Baraa ibn Ma'roor (ra), Bishr (ra) was an early Muslim and fierce defender of the faith. His story is forever marked by an incredible act of sacrifice. When poisoned food was served to the Prophet ﷺ, Bishr (ra) began eating alongside him. He died as a result, becoming a martyr who showed ultimate devotion. Discover even more about Bishr (ra), including some of the verses of the Qur’an that are connected to him.
Long before the qiblah was officially changed, Al-Baraa ibn Ma'roor (ra) chose to pray facing the Ka’bah. What motivated this decision? Known for his unwavering piety and eagerness to do good without being asked, Al-Baraa ibn Ma'roor (ra) was a devoted companion and an early supporter of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his call to Islam. His sincerity, foresight, and deep self-reflection made him stand out. He passed away before the Prophet ﷺ’s hijrah to Medina — learn what the Prophet ﷺ did upon vis...
He was only ten when the Prophet ﷺ entered Madinah, a day Al-Baraa ibn Aazib (ra) would never forget. He described the Prophet ﷺ’s face as being “like the light of the full moon”, his character as the example for all, and his life as a model of devotion. From learning the Prophet ﷺ’s sunnahs of compassion to standing beside him in the battles of Khandaq and Hunayn, Al-Baraa (ra) witnessed beauty, bravery, and miracles, including the overflowing well of Hudaybiyyah. Years later, he narrated the h...
He was just a boy — yet Allah revealed a verse of the Qur’an verse to defend him. This is the story of Umayr ibn Sa‘d (ra), who chose truth over family when his guardian uttered words of disbelief. Surah al-Tawbah (9:74) confirmed his honesty: “They swear by Allah they did not say it… but they did say a word of disbelief.” Praised by Umar (ra) as “one of a kind”, Umayr (ra) grew into a man of justice, humility, and integrity, reminding the Muslims that the wall of Islam is justice and its gate i...
Zayd ibn al-Arqam (ra) — the companion whose truth was confirmed by revelation. Raised by the poet-warrior Abdullah ibn Rawaha (ra), he grew up among the earliest Ansar, too young to fight at Badr and Uhud but chosen to guard Madinah. His courage exposed the hypocrisy of Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul — a moment so powerful that Surah al-Munafiqun was revealed to confirm his words. From patience through blindness to the miracle of his sight restored, Zayd’s life embodies sincerity, steadfastness, ...
A woman of elite status, beauty, and intellect. The home of Fatima bint Qays (ra) became the setting for one of the most pivotal moments in Islamic history. It was in her house that six companions of the Prophet ﷺ gathered to decide who would become the third khalifah after Umar (ra) was assassinated. Discover the story of Fatima bint Qays (ra), her narrations about Dajjal, her marriage to Usama ibn Zayd (ra), and a life that is a testament to what it means to be well-respected by the most respe...
At birth, his name was Usama ibn Zayd ibn Muhammad – but he wasn’t the Prophet ﷺ’s biological grandson. He (ra) was born into the house of the Prophet ﷺ, who showered him with love from the day of his birth. This deep love helped shape Usama (ra) into a man of outstanding character. He would go on to lead several important military expeditions before his death in Madinah.
He embraced Islam later in the Prophet ﷺ’s life, but strove to catch up in seeking and serving knowledge, sometimes almost going to extremes in that pursuit. Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (ra) became among the first to gain permission to record the Prophet ﷺ’s teachings in writing. And ultimately, this great preserver of the Prophet ﷺ’s words may have found his resting place in Gaza.
While other children dreamed of glory on the battlefield or positions of power, Urwa ibn az-Zubayr (ra) dreamed of knowledge—and he pursued it with unwavering dedication. From a childhood shaped by political turmoil to becoming one of Madinah’s foremost scholars, Urwa's life is a powerful testament to the pursuit of lifelong learning and spiritual leadership.
Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (ra) was no ordinary child. Born into an extraordinary family, his childhood offered glimpses of the fearless warrior he would become. He lived a long life of piety and courage, serving as a leader in the ummah in one of the most difficult periods of early Islamic history, until he attained martyrdom. The du’a of Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (ra) at the end of every salah: لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْ...
He walked exactly where the Prophet ﷺ walked. Abdullah ibn Umar (ra) lived a life of unmatched devotion, preserving every detail of the Sunnah, refusing positions of power, and embodying humility, generosity, and principle. Discover the story of the last major Companion in Mecca and the man whose love for the Prophet ﷺ shaped every step he took.
While Abdullah ibn Abbas (ra) became known for his knowledge and eloquence, his younger brother Qutham (ra) was known for something else: his striking resemblance to the Prophet ﷺ. In this episode, discover how Qutham, who was raised alongside al-Husayn (ra), the last to leave the Prophet’s ﷺ grave, and a martyr who carried Islam to Samarqand, left his mark on history.
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 support. In this episode, discover how Ubaydullah turned his wealth into a means of sustaining knowledge, feeding the ummah, and earning reward alongside the scholars, all without taking center stage. His story is a powerful reminder that there’s more than one way ...
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” to riding with the Prophet ﷺ on his camel during Hajj. This is the story of the eldest Ibn Abbas.
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 Knowledge. From his childhood in the Prophet’s arms to his leadership in times of turmoil, Ibn Abbas’s story is a model of prophetic character and leadership.
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 Karbala and his final days during Hajj, this is a story of resilience and divine favor.
“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 marrying Umar (ra) and then the sons of Ja’far (ra), stepping in to help a traveling woman give birth, patiently enduring the martyrdom of many loved ones, and dying alongside her son.
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 spoke truth to power. Zaynab bint Ali (ra) is from the great women of the Ahl al-Bayt and is an enduring role model for every generation of Muslims.
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 grandfather ﷺ's love for him, his sense of justice, his service to the ummah , his tragic martyrdom at Karbala, and the lessons his story teaches us today.
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 generosity, his worship and many Hajj journeys, his leadership as the fifth caliph, and his reconciliation and reuniting of the ummah.
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 and witnessing the martyrdom of his parents, Sumayyah (ra) and Yasir (ra); building masajid and fighting battles alongside the Prophet ﷺ; and ultimately sacrificing his life for the truth, a path that his son Muhammad (rh) would follow after him....
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).
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.
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 of Islam’s closest companions?
