Today we’d like to introduce you to Umer Zaman
Hi Umer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From a young age, my life revolved around the recitation of the Quran, as learning and memorizing was my only goal for a good chunk of my childhood and early teen years. My grandfather became my mentor and my teacher in achieving this goal, so the credit really goes to. him on why I fell in love with reciting – wether it would be Quran or Naheeds. As a Hafiz-ul Quran, this foundation not only strengthened my spirituality but also refined my voice, helping me develop precision and melody. Reciting Arabic daily played a significant role in training my vocal control, breathing techniques, and articulation—key elements that a vocalist needs to master.
I remember being under pressure and practicing for years 7 days a week to get to where I am today. But I still have a long way to go in terms of improvement and self development. I am still actively doing vocal lessons and working on improving my art. As humans we can’t allow ourselves to stop growing and molding- or we won’t be climbing. My favorite quote is, “If nothings changes, nothing changes.”
After my whole family shifted to the US from Pakistan, I thought my whole life would change for the better with new opportunities. But little did I know that a mans struggle never ends no matter which country you are in. I landed right into the toughest challenge of my life: High School. I had an accent, language barrier, and no friends. I couldn’t understand anyones “jokes” and was not able to understand the “american” teaching system. Everything was really different and I felt lonely for the very first time in my life. I worked many odd jobs during that time and early college – and during this time my only happiness came during our holiest month: Ramadan. This time was when I was invited to recite Taraweeh at various local masjids in the Houston area and there formed a community who liked listening to my voice. This was the one time I could connect with my old life as i grew up leading Taraweeh in Karachi since i was a pre-teen.
As a young adult, still getting used to this new country, i had trouble picking the route i wanted to go with my career. Although I loved reciting, there were not many “opportunities” in the field of Quran, especially for someone who hadn’t had higher studies in the field of Islamic education. I fell in love and got married. After marriage, I went on to complete my bachelors at The University of Houston and joined the corporate life. I always got the constant feeling i wasn’t fulfilled with my work life and I wanted to be a part of something bigger & more impactful. As a married adult man, it feels guilty to still be confused about what you want to do with your life, and I shared a similar feeling because now i had more responsibility on my shoulder.
It took a lot of years of reflection and self discovery for me to realize I had one talent, one passion, but i needed to put in the hard work. Talent < hard work. In the beginning of my nasheed career, I only uploaded covers from some of my favorite artists like: Maher Zain & Mishary Rashid Alafasy. I was fascinated with the process of creating nasheeds: the poetry, the composition, and production. New compositions came to my mind every day and soon enough, i had my notebooks filled with my own lyrics.
I started volunteering to local muslim events to perform for free. I went and attended as many events as I could for months just so I can get my voice out in the world.
I became fascinated with the idea of creating meaningful, vocal art. I could take on a beautiful topics like Free Palestine, Not giving up, and Keeping your faith strong- It was what I was looking for: Something I am passionate about (found a reason to be excited for my day, every day) & having a bigger impact on people with a positive message. Still learning my art, i want to be able to carry emotion, sincerity, and connection in my nasheeds.
My work as a songwriter, composer, and singer, has allowed me to take creative control over my music, ensuring that every aspect of my nasheeds aligns with my artistic vision.
My journey to becoming a successful nasheed artist is a combination of faith, discipline, practice, and innovation.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey in the nasheed industry, like any artistic field, is far from a smooth road—especially for a rising singer. It’s a path filled with investment, uncertainty, and challenges that require both patience and perseverance.
Many people assume that success in music or nasheeds comes overnight—that you can simply upload a video to YouTube and go viral the next day. But in reality, it’s a much longer and more complex process. For an emerging artist, everything from recording and production to marketing and distribution requires significant financial and time investment. High-quality nasheeds demand professional recording studios, skilled sound engineers, and sometimes even live instrumentalists—all of which come at a cost.
Beyond the technical aspects, there’s also the challenge of gaining recognition in a competitive space. With thousands of artists trying to reach audiences, standing out requires consistent effort, branding, and a deep connection with listeners. Unlike mainstream music, nasheed artists face the additional challenge of creating content that aligns with Islamic values while still being engaging and appealing to modern audiences.
Another struggle is the lack of mainstream support and funding for nasheed artists. Unlike secular musicians, nasheed singers don’t always have access to major record labels, and Islamic media platforms often have limited resources for promoting new talent. This means most rising nasheed artists must build their careers independently, relying on self-promotion, personal networking, and community support.
There’s also the emotional and mental challenge of staying motivated when growth feels slow. It takes years of effort to build an audience, and setbacks—such as low engagement, lack of funding, or technical difficulties—can make the journey frustrating. However, the key is to stay committed, continuously improve, and trust the process.
At the heart of it all, the nasheed industry is a labor of love. It requires a deep passion for Islamic music, a willingness to invest in the long term, and the patience to navigate the ups and downs. While the road isn’t always smooth, the reward of touching hearts, spreading meaningful messages, and contributing to Islamic arts makes the journey worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
One of the most fulfilling moments in my journey as a nasheed artist is when my own son starts singing my nasheeds with me. It’s in those moments that I truly understand the impact my work can have, especially on young hearts and minds. Seeing him engage with my music reminds me why I do what I do—it’s about creating something meaningful that the youth of today can connect with, learn from, and carry with them as they grow.
Children are naturally drawn to music, and I believe nasheeds can be a powerful tool for instilling positive values, Islamic teachings, and a sense of identity from an early age. That’s why I’ve focused on incorporating themes that not only entertain but also educate and inspire. Whether it’s making the Arabic alphabet easier to learn, expressing gratitude to parents, or encouraging kids to pray together with their friends, I strive to create content that helps children navigate life with a strong moral and spiritual foundation.
I love going out to perform in different states, countries, events. But my favorite thing is creating new nasheeds right from the comfort of my own home.
I am especially proud of my current children’s nasheed album because it embodies this vision. It’s more than just music—it’s a resource for families, teachers, and communities to help instill Islamic values in a way that feels natural and enjoyable for kids. This album allows children to develop a love for faith-based songs while reinforcing important lessons in a fun and engaging way. We are shaping the next generation with positivity, love, and a deep connection to their beliefs. That is what drives me, and that is what I am most proud of.
Pricing:
- $1,000 to be a sponsor in the next Nasheed Video
- $2,500 to produce a nasheed about your business/organization (Includes audio and video production)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/uzs_/?hl=en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uzs_/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AFzuI4YKmFas_tutx5JCQ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/58eecZ97j8xaCNS6ORlYs9
Image Credits
Johns Photo + Furqaan Saleemi
