Omar Suleiman - Ramadan Joy and Gaza Depression

Omar SuleimanMarch 5, 20240 comments

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Du'a Grief & Emotional Wellbeing Ramadan Death & Afterlife Seerah Iman Patience Gaza & Current Events

About this lecture

In this khutbah, Sheikh Omar Suleiman addresses the tension many Muslims feel approaching Ramadan while witnessing the ongoing tragedy in Gaza, arguing that grief and joy are not opposites but complementary states rooted in faith and perspective. Drawing on stories from the Seerah — including the Day of Badr, Fath Makkah, and the Prophet's ﷺ final moments with Fatimah — he shows how the companions consistently moved between profound sorrow and profound happiness without losing their grounding in Allah. Rather than setting aside awareness of Gaza to "enjoy" Ramadan, Sheikh Omar calls on believers to let both emotions deepen their ibadah, their du'a, and their connection to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

Dr. Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. Born in New Orleans to Palestinian parents, he began traditional Islamic study in 2000, spending years learning in the UAE, Jordan, and Malaysia, and completed a PhD in Islamic Thought and Civilization from the International Islamic University of Malaysia. He served as Imam of the Jefferson Muslim Association in New Orleans, where he led interfaith rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina, and is now resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Irving, Texas, and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas. One of the most influential Muslim figures in America, he is known for his Ramadan series, civil rights activism, and prolific scholarship bridging tradition and contemporary life.

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