Maher Zain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maher Zain
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| ماهر زين | |
Zain performing in Konya, Turkey, in March 2014
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Maher Mustafa Maher Zain
ماهر مصطفى ماهر زين 16 July 1981 |
| Occupation | |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
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| Labels | Awakening Rotana |
Maher Zain (Arabic: ماهر زين) is a popular singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was born on July 16, 1981, in Lebanon. He is known for his Islamic songs, also called nasheeds, and his R&B style.
Maher Zain released his first album, Thank You Allah, in 2009. This album became very successful around the world. He then released Forgive Me in 2012 and One in 2016. All his albums were produced by Awakening Records.
Contents
Maher Zain's Journey in Music
Early Life and Moving to Sweden
Maher Zain's family moved from Lebanon to Sweden when he was eight years old. He grew up and went to school there. He even earned a degree in aeronautical engineering.
After finishing university, Maher Zain started working in the music industry in Sweden. In 2005, he began working with a Swedish music producer named RedOne.
Moving to the United States
In 2006, RedOne moved to New York, United States. Maher Zain soon followed him to continue his music career there. He worked as a music producer for different artists.
Finding His Path in Music
When Maher Zain returned to Sweden, he reconnected with his Islamic faith. He decided to change his career path. Instead of being just a music producer, he chose to become a singer and songwriter. He wanted to create contemporary R&B music with a strong Islamic message.
Becoming a Star: Breakthrough and Success
Starting with Awakening Records
In January 2009, Maher Zain began working on his first album with Awakening Records. His debut album, Thank You Allah, was released on November 1, 2009. It included 13 songs, plus bonus tracks. Some songs also had different versions, like percussion or French versions.
Reaching Fans Online
Maher Zain and Awakening Records used social media like Facebook, YouTube, and iTunes to share his music. This helped his songs become very popular quickly. By early 2010, he had a huge online following. Many young Muslims in Western countries and people in Arabic-speaking and Islamic countries loved his music.
Global Recognition
By the end of 2010, Maher Zain was the most searched celebrity on Google in Malaysia. He found great success in Malaysia and Indonesia. His album Thank You Allah sold so well that it received multiple platinum awards. It was the best-selling album in Malaysia in 2010.
Singing in Many Languages
Maher Zain mainly sings in English. However, he has also released popular songs in other languages. For example, his song "Insha Allah" is available in English, French, Arabic, Turkish, Malay, and Indonesian. Another song, "Allahi Allah Kiya Karo," is sung in Urdu and features singer Irfan Makki. His 2012 song "Asalamu Alayka" was sung in about six different languages.
Concerts Around the World
Maher Zain has performed concerts in many countries. These include the UK, the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. He has many fan clubs, especially in Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco. In 2013, he helped judge the Awakening Talent Contest to find new singers for Awakening Records.
Special Projects and Awards
Winning Awards
In January 2010, Maher Zain won the award for Best Religious Song for "Ya Nabi Salam Alayka." He won this award on Nogoum FM, a big music station in the Middle East. He beat other famous singers for this honor.
Songs with Important Messages
In March 2011, Maher Zain released "Freedom." This song was inspired by the events of the Arab Spring and the actions of the people involved.
He was also chosen as a Muslim Star of 2011 by Onislam.net. In July 2011, he was featured on the cover of Emel, a Muslim lifestyle magazine in the UK.
Collaborations and TV Appearances
Maher Zain has collaborated with other artists. He was featured on Irfan Makki's song "I Believe."
He also appeared in an Indonesian TV drama called Insya-Allah. This show had 40 episodes and was shown in Malaysia and Indonesia starting in July 2012.
In 2013, he participated in the Colors of Peace project. This project created songs based on works by Fethullah Gülen. Maher Zain performed the song "This Worldly Life" on the album Rise Up.
In 2025, Maher Zain worked with Harris J on a song called "Qalbi Fi Madinah." This song expresses their love for the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Maher Zain's Music Albums
Studio Albums
| Year | Album details | Awards |
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| 2009 | Thank You Allah
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| 2012 | Forgive Me
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| 2016 | One
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Compilation Albums
| Year | Album details |
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| 2014 | Singles & Duets
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| 2018 | The Best of Maher Zain Live & Acoustic
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Mini Albums
| Year | Album details |
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| 2013 | Love Will Prevail
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Ramadan
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| 2014 | Ramadan – Vocals Only Version
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| 2021 | Nour Ala Nour
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Popular Singles
- 2009: Palestine Will Be Free
- 2010: Insha Allah
- 2010: The Chosen One
- 2011: Freedom
- 2011: Ya Nabi Salam Alayka
- 2011: For The Rest Of My Life
- 2014: Samih
- 2014: Nas Teshbehlena
- 2015: A'amarona A'amalona
- 2022: Rahmatun lil'Alameen
- 2022: Eidun Mubarak
- 2024: Ya Habiba Ya Falastin
- 2024: Salla Alaika Rehman
- 2024: Ey Ghafuru Rahim
- 2024: Free Palestine
- 2024: Lebanon
- 2025: Qalbi Fil Madinah
Music Videos
- 2009: Palestine Will Be Free
- 2009: Subhan Allah
- 2010: Insha Allah
- 2010: The Chosen One
- 2011: Freedom
- 2011: Ya Nabi Salam Alayka
- 2011: For the Rest of My Life
- 2012: Number One For Me
- 2012: So Soon
- 2012: Guide Me All the Way
- 2013: Love Will Prevail
- 2013: Ramadan
- 2014: Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
- 2014: Nas Teshbehlana (in Arabic ناس تشبهلنا)
- 2014: One Day
- 2015: A'maroona A'maloona (in Arabic أعمارنا أعمالنا)
- 2016: I am Alive (with Atif Aslam)
- 2016: By my Side
- 2016: Paradise
- 2016: Peace Be Upon You
- 2016: The Way of Love (with Mustafa Ceceli)
- 2017: Close to You
- 2017: As-subhu Bada (in Arabic الصبح بدا)
- 2017: Kun Rahma (in Arabic كن رحمة)
- 2017: Medina
- 2018: Huwa AlQuran
- 2019: Ala Nahjik Mashayt
- 2019: Live It Up (feat. Lenny Martinez)
- 2019: Ummi
- 2020: Antassalam
- 2020: Asma Allah Alhusna (The 99 Names of Allah)
- 2020: Break The Chains
- 2020: Srebrenica
- 2021: Nour Ala Nour
- 2021: Huwa Ahmadun
- 2021: Laytaka Ma'ana
- 2021: Qalbi Sajad
- 2021: Hubb Ennabi
- 2021: Nuru Nebi (in Turkish Nûru Nebi)
- 2022: No One But You
- 2022: Rahmatun Lil Alameen
- 2022: Eidun Mubarak
- 2022: Tahayya (with Humood AlKhuder)
- 2022: Dima Maghreb (with Humood AlKhuder)
- Featured in other artists' videos
- 2011: I Believe (Irfan Makki feat. Maher Zain)
- 2009 : Never Forget (Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain)
- 2014: So Real (Raef feat. Maher Zain)
- 2014: Eidun Saeed (Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain)
Helping Others: Philanthropic Work
Maher Zain uses his music and fame to help people in need.
- In 2013, he performed concerts in Canada to raise money for people affected by a typhoon in the Philippines.
- He also took part in the "Sound of Light" event in the UK. This event was organized to support the people of Syria. Maher Zain even dedicated his song "Love will prevail" to Syrians.
- For his birthday, he asked his millions of Facebook fans to donate money to a charity that builds water wells in Africa. His fans raised over $15,000 in just a few weeks.
- Maher Zain joined a rally in London to support Palestine and call for an end to military actions in Gaza.
- In August 2014, he participated in "The Great Wall of China Trek." This was a 10-day trip to raise money for clean water for children in Gaza.
- Before performing at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony, Maher Zain visited Lebanon with UNHCR. He spent time with Syrian refugees to see how UNHCR helps them. He sang "One Day" about refugees at the award ceremony in Geneva.
See also
In Spanish: Maher Zain para niños
