Darvish Intelligence: From Jihad to Jesus: A Radical Muslim Converts to Christianity

Thursday, November 28, 2024

From Jihad to Jesus: A Radical Muslim Converts to Christianity

From Jihad to Jesus: A Radical Muslim Converts to Christianity

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

Introduction: The Journey of Faith and Transformation

As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim and former leader within the Islamic community, my path to Christianity has been nothing short of miraculous. I have witnessed firsthand the oppressive doctrines of Islam, the dangerous allure of political Islamism, and the transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, I want to share the story of Tomas Samuel, a radical Muslim who left jihad to embrace Jesus Christ, and reflect on parallels with my own journey.

Tomas Samuel: A Journey from Extremism to Enlightenment

Tomas Samuel, an Egyptian former Islamist, once lived for the ideals of jihad and sharia. His story, like mine, is a testament to the redemptive power of truth and faith. As a young man, Tomas was deeply rooted in Islamic ideology. He was a scholar of Islamic theology, fluent in the Quran, and committed to the mission of spreading Islamic supremacy. Yet, his faith in Islam faltered when he began asking difficult questions:

Why does Islam rely on violence to achieve its goals?
Why does the Quran contradict itself on matters of peace and warfare?
How can the Prophet Muhammad be considered a model of morality given his actions?

These questions are familiar to me, as they were instrumental in my own disillusionment with Islam. Tomas’s search for answers led him to investigate Christianity, a faith he had been taught to hate. In the Bible, he found not only answers but also the embodiment of love, mercy, and grace—qualities starkly absent in his prior faith.

Jihad: The Uncomfortable Truth

For many Muslims like Tomas and myself, jihad is not merely a spiritual struggle but a mandate for dominance. The Quran and Hadith are replete with commands for violence against non-believers (Surah 9:5, Sahih Bukhari 52:177). Islamist organizations like CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood, with which I was once affiliated, often disguise their true aims under the guise of "civil rights" or "peaceful dialogue," but their ultimate goal remains the imposition of sharia law. Tomas and I both came to see this duplicity as fundamentally incompatible with human freedom and dignity.

Encountering Christ: The Turning Point

For Tomas, the turning point came when he studied the life of Jesus Christ. Unlike Muhammad, whose life is marked by warfare, polygamy, and conquest, Jesus's life exemplifies sacrificial love, forgiveness, and truth. This contrast was pivotal for Tomas, as it was for me. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), with its call to love one’s enemies, stood in stark contrast to the Quran's prescriptive hatred for non-Muslims.

In my own journey, the words of Jesus in John 14:6—"I am the way, the truth, and the life"—were a beacon of hope. They revealed a God who seeks a personal relationship with His children, not one who demands blind submission through fear and violence.

From Islamist to Evangelist

Today, Tomas Samuel is an evangelist dedicated to exposing the lies of Islam and spreading the Gospel. He speaks boldly about the dangers of political Islam and the hope found in Jesus Christ. His courage resonates deeply with me, as I too have faced persecution and threats for renouncing Islam and embracing Christianity. But as Jesus said in Matthew 5:10, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Conclusion: A Call to Courage and Faith

Tomas Samuel’s story, like mine, is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. Whether you are a radical Islamist, a disillusioned socialist, or a skeptic searching for truth, Jesus Christ offers redemption and a new beginning. His love transforms hearts and minds, freeing us from the chains of fear, hate, and deception.

As Christians, we must pray for those still trapped in the darkness of Islam and boldly share the Gospel with them. The battle for souls is not fought with swords but with the truth of God’s Word and the power of His Spirit.