As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim who found the truth in Christianity, I deeply resonate with the story of Nabeel Qureshi. His book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, recounts his journey from being a devout Ahmadi Muslim to embracing Jesus Christ. Like Nabeel, I once believed Islam was the ultimate truth, but through deep study, historical evidence, and spiritual conviction, I realized that Christianity was the only path to salvation.
Nabeel’s Background: A Faithful Muslim Seeking Truth
Nabeel Qureshi was raised in a loving, devout Muslim home. His family followed the Ahmadiyya sect, a branch of Islam often persecuted by mainstream Sunni and Shia Muslims. Growing up, he was taught that Muhammad was the final prophet and that the Quran was the pure, unchanged word of Allah. Like many Muslims, he believed that Christianity was corrupted and that Jesus was just a prophet, not the Son of God.
His faith was deeply intellectual—he memorized the Quran, engaged in apologetics, and defended Islam against Christians. He was confident in Islam’s superiority, believing that Christian doctrine was flawed and that the Bible was unreliable. However, everything changed when he met David Wood, a Christian apologist, in college. Their intellectual and theological debates planted the first seeds of doubt in his mind (Qureshi, 2014).
The Struggle: Islam vs. Christianity
One of the key moments in Nabeel’s journey was his deep dive into the historical foundations of Islam. He studied Islamic texts, the life of Muhammad, and the early history of Islam, only to find troubling truths. He realized that many claims Muslims make about Islam’s history—such as the perfect preservation of the Quran and Muhammad’s moral perfection—did not hold up to scrutiny.
Like Nabeel, I too had questions. I was an Imam and an Islamic leader, yet when I studied the Hadith and the Quran with honesty, I saw the contradictions and moral failings of Muhammad. Islam's violent history, its treatment of women, and its legalism all pointed to a man-made religion rather than divine truth. Nabeel found the same inconsistencies, and the more he studied the Bible in contrast, the more he saw the beauty and truth of Christ.
Jesus' words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NIV), struck him. Unlike Muhammad, who commanded war, took child brides, and ruled through fear, Jesus sacrificed Himself for humanity. The contrast was undeniable.
Dreams and Divine Confirmation
A pivotal part of Nabeel’s conversion was the role of dreams and visions. In Islamic tradition, dreams are seen as an important way Allah communicates with believers. When Nabeel started questioning Islam, he prayed for God to reveal the truth. God answered him through three vivid dreams that pointed him to Christianity (Qureshi, 2014).
This aspect of Nabeel’s story is something many ex-Muslims can relate to. I, too, experienced supernatural confirmations when questioning Islam. Many Muslims who leave Islam for Christ report similar encounters—dreams of Jesus, visions of the cross, or unexplainable moments of divine revelation (Garrison, 2014).
Nabeel’s final dream was especially powerful. He saw a narrow door in a great banquet hall, and people dressed in white were joyfully feasting inside. Outside, a group of people—including Nabeel—stood at the door but could not enter. When he later read Luke 13:22-30, he realized Jesus had spoken of the exact same vision. It was the final confirmation he needed.
The Cost of Following Christ
Nabeel’s conversion was not easy. He knew that leaving Islam meant losing his family, community, and everything he once held dear. When he finally told his parents, their heartbreak was unbearable. This is something I understand well—leaving Islam comes with a heavy cost. Many ex-Muslims face ostracization, threats, or even death for their faith.
But Jesus warned us of this cost:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18, NIV).
Nabeel endured the pain of separation from his family because he knew the truth was worth it. He went on to become a Christian apologist, defending the Gospel and bringing countless Muslims to Christ. Sadly, in 2017, he passed away at just 34 years old after a battle with stomach cancer. Yet his testimony continues to inspire ex-Muslims and seekers around the world.
The Power of the Gospel for Muslims
Nabeel Qureshi’s story is a powerful example of how the Gospel reaches the hearts of Muslims. His journey from Islam to Christianity mirrors my own in many ways. We both sought the truth and found it in Jesus Christ, and we both had to sacrifice relationships and security to follow Him.
His book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, remains one of the most influential Christian testimonies today. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Muslim evangelism or understanding the struggles of ex-Muslims.
For those still in Islam, I urge you to ask the same question Nabeel asked: What is the truth? Seek it with all your heart, and you will find that the truth is a person—Jesus Christ.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, NIV).
Citations
- Qureshi, N. (2014). Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Zondervan.
- Garrison, D. (2014). A Wind in the House of Islam: How God Is Drawing Muslims Around the World to Faith in Jesus Christ. WIGTake Resources.
No comments:
Post a Comment