Maher Zain

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Lebanese-Swedish R&B singer (born 1981)

title: "Maher Zain" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["swedish-people-of-lebanese-descent", "1981-births", "living-people", "lebanese-sunni-muslims", "swedish-sunni-muslims", "lebanese-emigrants-to-sweden", "21st-century-lebanese-male-singers", "lebanese-songwriters", "swedish-male-singer-songwriters", "swedish-singer-songwriters", "performers-of-islamic-music", "awakening-music-artists", "naturalized-citizens-of-sweden", "21st-century-swedish-male-singers", "rotana-records-artists", "singers-who-perform-in-egyptian-arabic", "singers-who-perform-in-classical-arabic", "people-from-tripoli,-lebanon", "arabic-language-lebanese-singers", "arabic-language-swedish-singers"] description: "Lebanese-Swedish R&B singer (born 1981)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maher_Zain" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Lebanese-Swedish R&B singer (born 1981) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]

Field	Value
name	Maher Zain
image	Maher Zain Kony Concert March2014.jpg
caption	Zain performing in Konya, Turkey, in March 2014
native_name	ماهر زين
birth_name	Maher Mustafa Maher Zain
ماهر مصطفى ماهر زين
birth_date
birth_place	Tripoli, Lebanon
years_active	2009–present
occupation	{{flat list
module	{{Infobox musical artist
embed	yes
genre	{{flat list
*nasheed{{cite book	last1
instrument	{{flat list
label	Awakening
Rotana
::

| name = Maher Zain | image = Maher Zain Kony Concert March2014.jpg | caption = Zain performing in Konya, Turkey, in March 2014 | native_name = ماهر زين | birth_name = Maher Mustafa Maher Zain ماهر مصطفى ماهر زين | birth_date = | birth_place = Tripoli, Lebanon | death_date = | death_place = | years_active = 2009–present | occupation = {{flat list |

Singer
songwriter
musician
composer
music producer | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{flat list |
R&B
soul
Islamic
nasheed | instrument = {{flat list |
Vocals
guitar
piano
keyboard
percussion
synthesizers | label = Awakening Rotana | website =

Maher Zain (; born 16 July 1981) is a Lebanese-Swedish Islamic Nasheeds and R&B singer, songwriter and music producer. He released his debut album Thank You Allah, an internationally successful album produced by Awakening Records, in 2009. He released his follow-up album Forgive Me in April 2012 under the same production company, and a third album One in 2016. In 2021, he released his mini album “Nour Ala Nour”

Career

Early life

Maher Zain's Lebanese family emigrated to Sweden in 1989. He completed his schooling there, gaining a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering. After university, he entered the music industry in Sweden, and in 2005 linked up with the Moroccan-born Swedish producer RedOne. When RedOne moved to New York in 2006, Zain soon followed to continue his music industry career in the United States, producing for artists such as Kat DeLuna.

On returning home to Sweden, Zain became engaged once more with his Islamic faith and decided to move away from a career as a music producer to become a singer/songwriter of contemporary R&B music with a strong Islamic influence.

Breakthrough and success

In January 2009, Zain began working on an album with Awakening Records. His debut album, Thank You Allah, with 13 songs and two bonus tracks, was released on 1 November 2009 with percussion versions and French versions of some tracks released shortly afterwards. Earlier, he had published some of his tracks on Sony Music Group and Rotana Music Group, though his tracks became popular at Awakening Music.

Zain and Awakening Records successfully used Facebook, YouTube and iTunes to promote tracks from the album. In early 2010 his music very quickly gathered a huge online following in Arabic-speaking and Islamic countries as well as among young Muslims in western countries. By the end of 2010, he was the most Googled celebrity in Malaysia for that year. Malaysia and Indonesia have been the countries where he has had the most commercial success. The album Thank You Allah has been certified multiple platinum by Warner Music Malaysia and Sony Music Indonesia. It became the highest selling album of 2010 in Malaysia.

Zain sings mainly in English but has released some of his most popular songs in other languages. The song "Insha Allah", for example, is now available in English, French, Arabic, Turkish, Malay and Indonesian versions. Another song, "Allahi Allah Kiya Karo" ("Continuously Saying Allah"), is sung in Urdu and features the Pakistan-born Canadian singer Irfan Makki, while his 2012 song Asalamu Alayka was sung in about six different languages, including Arabic, English, Turkish, beyond others.

Zain has performed concerts around the world, including in the UK, the United States, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He has fan clubs in several countries including Malaysia, Egypt, and Morocco. He took part in the judging committee of the Awakening Talent Contest to choose Awakening Records' new star in 2013.

Collaborations, appearances and awards

In January 2010, Zain won Best Religious Song for 'Ya Nabi Salam Alayka', on Nogoum FM, a major Middle East mainstream music station, beating other prominent singers including Hussein Al-Jismi, Mohammed Mounir and Sami Yusuf.

In March 2011, Zain released "Freedom", a song inspired by the events and the actions of the people taking part in the Arab Spring.

Zain was chosen as a Muslim Star of 2011 in a competition organized by Onislam.net. In July 2011 he featured on the cover of the UK Muslim lifestyle magazine Emel.

Zain was featured on Irfan Makki's track "I Believe" from his debut studio album of the same name.

Zain has appeared in the 40-episode Indonesian TV drama Insya-Allah. The show was aired on Malaysian satellite TV channel, Astro Oasis and Mustika HD, starting 17 July 2012, concurrent with the broadcasting of the show on Indonesia's SCTV.

In 2013, he took part in the Colors of Peace project constituting songs based on works by Fethullah Gülen on the album Rise Up where Maher Zain performs the track "This Worldly Life".

In 2025, Maher Zain collaborated with Harris J to perform the song Qalbi Fi Madinah, which is a song expressing their love of the Islamic prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

Discography

Albums

::data[format=table] | Year | Album details | Certifications (sales thresholds) | |---|---|---| | 2009 | Thank You Allah | | | 2012 | Forgive Me | | | 2016 | One | | ::

Compilations

::data[format=table]

Year	Album details
2014	Singles & Duets
2018	The Best of Maher Zain Live & Acoustic
::

Mini albums

::data[format=table]

Year	Album details
2013	Love Will Prevail
Ramadan
2014	Ramadan – Vocals Only Version
2021	Nour Ala Nour
::

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

Videography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Maher_Zain_at_Tuisa_charity_concert_Essen_Germany_2012.jpg" caption="Maher Zain at Tuisa charity concert in Essen, Germany (2012)"] ::

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)
2024: Ya Habiba Ya Falastin
2024: Salla Alaika Rehman
2024: Ey Ghafuru Rahim
2024: Free Palestine
2024: Lebanon
2025: Qalbi Fil Madinah

;Featured in

2011: I Believe (Irfan Makki feat. Maher Zain) (in Irfan Makki's album I Believe)
2009 : Never Forget (Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain) (in Mesut Kurtis' album Beloved)
2014: So Real (Raef feat. Maher Zain) (in Raef's album The Path)
2014: Eidun Saeed (Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain) (in Mesut Kurtis' album Tabassam)

Philanthropic activities

In 2013, Zain performed in Canada on a tour organised by Islamic Relief to raise donations for typhoon victims in the Philippines. Zain took part in the UK "Sound of Light" event organized by Human Appeal International in support of the Syrian people. Zain also dedicated his song "Love will prevail" (sung in Arabic and English) to the Syrians.
Zain celebrated his birthday with his 3.9 million Facebook fans by asking them to donate money to a United States–based charity organization that builds water wells in Africa. His fans paid more than $15,000 within a few weeks.
Zain took part in a London pro-Palestinian rally, joined by thousands of people, to call for the end to Israeli military action in Gaza. In August 2014, Zain took part in "The Great Wall of China Trek 2014" a 10-day humanitarian mission in association with Human Appeal to raise donations for clean water to children in Gaza.
Ahead of performing at the 2014 Nansen Refugee Award Ceremony, Zain travelled to Lebanon with UNHCR to spend time with Syrian refugees and see UNHCR's frontline work. Zain sang "One Day" about refugees in Geneva's Bâtiment des Forces Motrices for the award ceremony.

References

(2014). "Muslims and American Popular Culture". [[ABC-CLIO]].
Maher Zain. (16 March 2013). "It is not my birthday today! :) it is July 16... :))))".
(13 November 2013). "Muslim pop megastar Maher Zain sings for Syria aid". BBC News.
"Maher zain's story".
Entertainment (2011-08-10). [https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/08/maher-zains-hip-but-pious-soundtrack-to-the-arab-spring/243191/ "Maher Zain's Hip but Pious Soundtrack to the Arab Spring"]. ''The Atlantic''. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
Eena Houzyama (2010-10-11). [http://stage2.mmail.com.my/node/51854 "Thank God for Maher Zain"]. ''The Malay Mail'', retrieved 10 October 2011 {{webarchive. link. (10 September 2012)
(15 December 2011). "Maher Zain: 'My music is a message of Islam'". The Guardian.
[http://www.islamiclyrics.net/maher-zain/ "Maher Zain"]. IslamicLyrics, retrieved 10 October 2011
Music & Festivals [http://www.timeoutbeirut.com/music-festivals/article/4875/maher-zain.html "Maher Zain Interview"]. ''Time Out Beirut'', retrieved 14 October 2011 {{webarchive. link. (26 March 2012)
Admin (2010-11-16). [http://www.nxtnews.com/muslim-singer-maher-zain/ "Muslim Singer Maher Zain"]. ''NXT News'', retrieved 14 October 2011 {{webarchive. link. (13 March 2012)
Lisa Siregar (2011-05-02). [http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/lifeandtimes/a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-a-young-muslim/438684 "A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Muslim"] {{webarchive. link. (1 October 2011 . ''Jakarta Globe'', retrieved 14 October 2011)
2011-08-26 [http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/16folas/Article/index_html "Being pious in the heart of modernity"]. ''New Straits Times'', retrieved 14 October 2011 {{webarchive. link. (26 August 2011)
Sundus Awan (Transcribed) 2010-11-29. [http://muslimyouthvoice.ca/node/345 "Maher Zain Interview"] {{Webarchive. link. (4 September 2011 . ''The Muslim Youth Voice Website'', retrieved 14 October 2011)
"Maher Zain Indonesia Fanclub".
(11 July 2013). "Awakening Talent Contest – Talents Matter Most". EmmaGem.
News Summary (January 2010). [http://www.awakeningworldwide.com/05_news/index_2010_01.htm "Maher Zain wins Nugoom FM's Best Song Award"] {{Webarchive. link. (22 March 2014 . Awakening Worldwide. Retrieved 2 September 2011.)
"Insha Allah".
Issue 82 (July 2011). [http://www.emel.com/article?id=89&a_id=2421 Maher Zain digital issue – OUT NOW!]. Emel. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
[http://www.islamiclyrics.net/irfan-makki/i-believe/ "I Believe Lyrics"]. IslamicLyrics, retrieved 18 October 2011.
[http://www.hmetro.com.my/articles/MaherZainbintangisinetron/Article Maher Zain bintangi sinetron] ''Harian Metro'' retrieved 26 June 2012 {{webarchive. link. (28 June 2012)
(9 March 2013). "Barış için müzikal birlik". [[Radikal]].
[http://zaman-online.de/18573/savas%CC%A7in-kars%CC%A7isina-du%CC%88nyayi-kucaklayan-bir-albu%CC%88mle-c%CC%A7iktilar ''Zaman'' Online: Savaşın karşısına Hocaefendi’nin şiirlerinden oluşan albümle çıktılar] (In Turkish) {{webarchive. link. (11 March 2013)
[http://www.awakeningworldwide.com/05_news/index_2011_01.htm Maher Zain receives 8 platinums in Malaysia] {{webarchive. link. (4 September 2011 ''Awakening Worldwide'', retrieved January 2011)
(25 April 2012). "Meet Maher Zain". [[New Straits Times]].
(2022-07-05). "Eidun Mubarak".
(2015-06-17). "Singles & Duets".
"Islamic Relief Canada Declared War On Hunger to Support Poor People". push.pk.
"Islamic Relief Canada seeking donations for typhoon victims in Philippines".
"Sound Of Light Official Website".
(13 November 2013). "Muslim pop megastar Maher Zain sings for Syria aid". BBC News.
Maher Zain. "My Birthday For Clean Water". Charity: Water.
"Koba Mender Community".
"Maher Zain – Freedom at the London demonstration GAZA protest 19/07/2014".
"Great Wall of China Trek 2014 with Maher Zain & Omar Regan".
(18 August 2014). "Maher Zain treks through China for Gaza". [[Voice of the Cape]].
"Maher Zain Instagram".
"Maher Zain's Journey". UNHCR.
(29 September 2014). "UNHCR presents Nansen Refugee Award to courageous Colombian women". UNHCR.
Clar Ni Chonghaile. (8 October 2014). "Colombian activists risk their lives to protect women from gang warfare". [[The Guardian]].

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