Omar Suleiman
Muslim Central
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 10, 2016 • 42min
Story Night - Jibreel (A Preview)
This talk is a preview of the full course on Jibreel AS available on Bayyinah TV. A must-listen by Omar Suleiman explaining about the angel, Jibreel, which gives enormous confidence in revelation when his character is studied. As there is no book written on Jibreel AS, an enormous effort has been put in to collect the information from various different books of hadith, aqeedah etc and present it to the ummah in the form of this course.
Feb 10, 2016 • 6min
The Beginning and the End - EP 65 The First Lie
A beautiful explanation by Omar Suleiman about a powerful conversation between Adam AS and Sheeth AS mentioning about falling prey to shaytaan and disobeying Allah SWT. The episode ends with a take-home advice that if a sin is committed out of desire it is easier to come back to Allah SWT and if it is committed out of pride then is it taking the satanic path. May Allah protect the ummah at large.
Feb 1, 2016 • 7min
The Beginning and the End - EP 64 Double Standards
In this episode, Omar Suleiman explains about the double standards existing in the society pertaining to women when sinned unlike men, who are forgiven in most of the cases. A wonderful principle laid out by Allah SWT condemning the favoritism of boy-over-girl and the concept of blaming woman alone. Islam truly stands for justice!
Jan 26, 2016 • 12min
The Beginning and the End - EP 63 Women, Crooked Rib
In this episode, Omar Suleiman explains the Islamic take on creation of women in the light of ayah from Quran and hadith of Prophet SAW very comprehensively.
Jan 20, 2016 • 6min
The Beginning and the End - EP 62 Married in Paradise
Beginning and End is a series based on the book بداية و نهاية,. Sheikh Omar Suleiman goes through this entire text weekly to bring stories and reminders to you. In this episode, Omar Suleiman continues the talk with shaytaan getting evicted from jannah and the beginning of Adam AS, his greetings with Allah SWT, the angels, his longing for a companion, Allah SWT granting him a spouse and ends very beautifully with the beauty of the mankind in Jannah.
Jan 9, 2016 • 7min
The Beginning and the End - EP 61 Banned From Heaven
In this episode, Imam Omar Suleiman tells us the story of shaytaan particularly with Adam AS and focuses on the encounter between Adam AS and Shaytaan. A major question, “When shaytaan was kicked out of jannah when he disobeyed Allah SWT, how was he able to come back and sway away Adam and Hawwa AS?” is answered in a great detail.
Jan 9, 2016 • 6min
The Beginning and the End - EP 60 Disarm Shaytan
An enlightening and powerful reminder by Omar Suleiman on disarming the shaytaan in the light of ahadith, one of which states do not curse the shaytaan for he becomes bigger than your house, instead say "Bismillah" which would reduce him to something smaller than a fly. For more such powerful tips, tune in to this episode of removing shaytaan completely from the equation.
Dec 28, 2015 • 6min
The Beginning and the End - EP 59 Feeling Insecure
In this episode, Omar Suleiman talks about shaytaan and how he plans to leads the mankind astray by creating insecurities amongst mankind to an extent that the authority, control and power of Allah SWT comes under doubt. May Allah SWT protect us from falling prey to shaytaan.
Dec 28, 2015 • 8min
The Beginning and the End - EP 58 Desperate Measures
In this episode, Omar Suleiman talks about the mention from Allah SWT about shaytaan not being able to attack from top and bottom direction. Tune in to educate yourself about its reasons and the promises of Allah SWT for mankind.
Dec 27, 2015 • 7min
The Beginning And The End - EP 57 Stronger than the Devil
In this episode, Omar Suleiman talks about how weak the plan of shaytaan is and that Allah has equipped us in a powerful way. A detailed short talk on how to prevent yourself from shaytaan when he attacks from all directions. May Allah protect us from the vil whispers of shaytaan.
