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
Jul 16, 2015 • 7min
People Of Quran - EP 28
This episode is all about the amount of respect to be bestowed upon women and how Allah SWT heard the plea of woman and mentions in Surah Al Mujadilah verse no 1. A powerful story about a woman, Khawlah Bint Ta’alaba RA who grieved and complained to Allah SWT about her verbally abusive husband and Allah SWT revealed an entire Surah Al Mujadilah.
Jul 14, 2015 • 6min
People Of Quran - EP 27
This episode is about the abundant mercy of Allah SWT made mention of in Surah Hadid, verse no 16 where Allah SWT says, “Has the time not come for those who have believed that their hearts should become humble, submit themselves to Allah SWT, that which has come down as truth and do not be like those who are given scripture before you and a long period passed so their hearts hardened once again and many of them are defiantly disobedient”. A transformational journey of highway robber during the day and committing zina in the night to becoming Imam Al Haramain, the Imam of two harams.
Jul 14, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 26
This episode is about the first two ayahs from Surah Hujurat also known as Surah of adab/respect as it teaches us the adab holistically. A small story of a companion who thinks he is going to hell fire instead he is guaranteed by Prophet SAW that he is a person of paradise by the mercy of Allah SWT.
Jul 12, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 25
This episode enlightens us on forgiving the oppressors and forgetting the oppression and collect the reward on the day of judgement from Allah SWT. A powerful story about how Imam Ahmed Rahemallahu Ta’ala forgave every person who subjected him to torture for almost a decade solely to collect the reward from Allah SWT on the day of judgement as mentioned in Surah Ash Shuraa verse 40.
Jul 12, 2015 • 7min
People Of Quran - EP 24
This episode makes mention of the leaps and bounds of the mercy of Allah SWT there by teaching us not to lose hope in the mercy of Allah SWT. A small story about three companions, two of whom were forced to leave Islam because of the family and how Allah SWT made a way for them and revealed verses about their forgiveness from Surah Zumar, verse no.53.
Jul 10, 2015 • 8min
People Of Quran - EP 23
This episode is about expressing patience in difficult times and remembering Allah SWT and Quran. A Quranic conversation between one of the greatest companions, Muadh Ibn Jabal RA and his son AbdurRahman when both of them were struck by a plague on their death bed.
Jul 9, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 22
This episode is about the most asked question that why does Allah SWT always speak about men in the Quran or always use the male gender to speak about something. A question asked by the wife of Umm Salama RA to Prophet SAW and how Allah SWT addresses this beautifully in Surah Ahzaab.
Jul 8, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 21
This episode talks about how the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet SAW, Imam Ali Ibn Abi Taalib RA, dealt with his haters in a dignified way and reminding himself with a beautiful ayah from Surah Rum where Allah SWT says, be patient indeed the promise of Allah is true and let not those who are uncertain in their own faith discourage you.
Jul 6, 2015 • 6min
People Of Quran - EP 20
This episode makes mention of how true believers would have a beautiful ending to their life - an influential story about the grandson of Umar Ibn Khattab RA, Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz Rahemallahu Ta’ala who welcomed the angels of mercy and constantly recited verse 83 from Surah Al-Qasas during his final moments.
Jul 5, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 19
This episode makes mention of how the merciful servants of Allah would respond when ignorant people address them harshly through a verse numbered 63 from Surah Furqan. A powerful story about the response of Imam Ahmed Raheemallahu Ta’ala and a man who said foul things to him.
