The Firsts

Yaqeen Institute

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.

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20 episodes
Updated May 4

Episodes20

Newest first

Salma (ra) and Ubaydullah (ra): A Legacy of Serving the Ahlul Bayt
She was the midwife in the births of the Prophet ﷺ’s children and grandchildren. This was just one of the unique ways that Salma (ra), a freed-slave and the wife of Abu Rafi al-Qibti (ra), served the Prophet ﷺ’s family. And she raised her own son Ubaydullah ibn Abu Rafi (ra) to shine in Islamic history as a teacher of the Prophet ﷺ’s descendants.
May 4 · 11 min
Abu Rafi al-Qibti (ra): The Man Inside the Prophet’s ﷺ Home
Meet Abu Rafi al-Qibti (ra), a little-known Coptic Christian from Egypt who embraced Islam and became part of the Prophet ﷺ’s family. How did this unfold? What was his role in the death of Abu Lahab and the birth of al-Hasan ibn Ali (ra)? What does his story teach us about how the Prophet ﷺ took and repaid loans? Learn about a companion who was so close to the Prophet ﷺ, part of the Ahl al-Bayt, and highly praised by the Companions.
April 27 · 29 min
Abu Muwayhiba (ra): What Happened on the Prophet’s ﷺ Final Night
Little is recorded about Abu Muwayhiba (ra), a freed slave of the Prophet ﷺ. Yet in the final days of the Prophet's ﷺ life, it was Abu Muwayhiba who walked beside him through the darkness of night to a cemetery, and witnessed a moment no one else was given. What did the Prophet ﷺ confide in him? And what choice did he make that would change everything? Watch to discover the story of one of the most overlooked companions.
April 20 · 13 min
Thawban (ra): The One Called “An-Nabawi”
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.
April 13 · 35 min
Safina (ra): He Spoke To A Lion
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.
April 6 · 25 min
Julaybib (ra): The Most Beautiful Story
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.
January 6 · 24 min
Zahir ibn Haram (ra): Low Self-Esteem Until He Met the Prophet ﷺ
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.
Dec 29, 2025 · 17 min
Umm Mahjan (ra): The Woman Who Cleaned the Masjid
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.
Dec 22, 2025 · 25 min
Bishr ibn al-Baraa (ra): The Story of the Poisoning of the Prophet ﷺ
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.
Dec 15, 2025 · 24 min
Al-Baraa ibn Ma'roor (ra): He Made Two Good Mistakes
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 visiting his grave.
Dec 8, 2025 · 26 min
Al-Baraa ibn Aazib (ra): He Described the Grave in Detail
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 hadith of the grave, preserving the Prophet ﷺ’s words about the soul’s journey after death.
Dec 2, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Umayr ibn Sa’d (ra): First in Salah and Battle
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 is truth.
Nov 27, 2025 · 31 min
Zayd ibn Al-Arqam (ra): Exposer of Hypocrites
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, and divine honor. He went on to narrate many core hadiths about prayer, du‘a, and purity — teachings we practice every day.
Nov 25, 2025 · 57 min
Fatima bint Qays (ra): She Preserved Hadiths About Dajjal and Divorce
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 respected in the ummah.
Nov 25, 2025 · 16 min
Usama ibn Zayd (ra): The Prophet ﷺ’s Chosen Grandson
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.
Oct 27, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min
Abdullah ibn Amr (ra): The One Who Preserved The Sunnah
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.
Oct 2, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
Urwa ibn az-Zubayr (ra): The First Muslim Historian
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.
Sep 16, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr (ra): The Defender of Mecca
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 شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَلاَ نَعْبُدُ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ لَهُ النِّعْمَةُ وَلَهُ الْفَضْلُ وَلَهُ الثَّنَاءُ الْحَسَنُ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ La ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu al-mulk wa lahu al-hamd wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir; la ilaha illa Allahu wa la na‘budu illa iyyahu, lahu an-ni‘matu wa lahu al-fadlu wa lahu ath-thana’u al-hasan; la ilaha illa Allah, mukhlisina lahu ad-dina wa law kariha al-kafirun. “There is none worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner or associate. His is the Dominion, to Him be all praise, and He is able to do all things. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and we worship none but Him, the source of blessing and kindness and the One Who is deserving of all good praise. There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and we are sincere in faith and devotion to Him even though the disbelievers detest it.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 1340)
Sep 2, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
Abdullah ibn Umar (ra): The Prophet’s ﷺ Shadow
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.
Aug 26, 2025 · 1 hr 36 min
Qutham ibn Abbas (ra): The Prophet’s ﷺ Lookalike
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.
Aug 20, 2025 · 19 min

The Firsts

Salma (ra) and Ubaydullah (ra): A Legacy of Serving the Ahlul Bayt

Abu Rafi al-Qibti (ra): The Man Inside the Prophet’s ﷺ Home

Abu Muwayhiba (ra): What Happened on the Prophet’s ﷺ Final Night

Thawban (ra): The One Called “An-Nabawi”

Safina (ra): He Spoke To A Lion

Julaybib (ra): The Most Beautiful Story

Zahir ibn Haram (ra): Low Self-Esteem Until He Met the Prophet ﷺ

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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