The Firsts | The Forerunners of Islam

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Episode 173

Zahir ibn Haram (ra): Low Self-Esteem Until He Met the Prophet ﷺ | The Firsts | Dr. Omar Suleiman

Omar SuleimanMay 6, 202617 min0 comments

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Hadith Battle of Badr Tribes of Arabia Self-Esteem & Mental Wellbeing Seerah Prophetic Character Humor & Adab Companions of the Prophet

Episode 172

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Episode 174

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About this lecture

In this episode of *The Firsts*, Dr. Omar Suleiman tells the story of Zahir ibn Haram al-Ashja'i (ra), a poor, physically deformed Bedouin from the tribe of Ghatafan who suffered from low self-esteem — until he embraced Islam and formed a deeply personal bond with the Prophet ﷺ. Through two beloved narrations, including the famous marketplace incident in which the Prophet ﷺ declared Zahir "priceless in the sight of Allah," Dr. Suleiman draws out a powerful lesson on how the Prophet ﷺ used humor not to demean, but to uplift and heal the hearts of those who felt worthless in the eyes of the world.

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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