Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus

1. Growing up Muslim: A journey of faith and identity

"Even though I had seen answered prayers, prophetic dreams, and rational argumentation pointing toward the existence of God, there was always room for doubt."

Cultural immersion. Nabeel Qureshi's childhood was steeped in Islamic tradition, with daily prayers, Quranic recitations, and a deep reverence for Muhammad. His parents, devout Ahmadi Muslims, instilled in him a strong sense of religious identity and pride in his Pakistani heritage.

Ambassador for Islam. As he grew older, Nabeel embraced his role as an ambassador for Islam in the West, defending his faith against criticism and misconceptions. This led him to study Islamic apologetics and engage in debates with Christians, further solidifying his belief in the truth of Islam.

Seeds of doubt. Despite his unwavering faith, Nabeel's analytical mind and exposure to Western education began to plant seeds of doubt. He struggled to reconcile his religious beliefs with scientific and historical evidence, setting the stage for a profound spiritual journey.

2. Questioning Islam: Confronting historical and moral challenges

"I was forced to conclude that, once again, the early Islamic sources challenged what modern Islam taught me."

Historical inconsistencies. Nabeel's investigation into Islamic history revealed troubling discrepancies between the idealized version of Muhammad he had been taught and the accounts found in reliable hadith and early biographies. He discovered stories of violence, questionable moral decisions, and human fallibility that challenged his perception of the perfect prophet.

Quranic preservation. The widely held belief in the perfect preservation of the Quran was shaken as Nabeel delved into early Islamic sources, uncovering evidence of textual variations, missing verses, and deliberate standardization efforts.

Moral dilemmas. Nabeel grappled with difficult moral issues in Islamic teachings, such as:

• The treatment of women and slaves
• The use of violence in spreading the faith
• The concept of eternal punishment for non-believers

These challenges forced him to confront the possibility that Islam might not be the infallible truth he had always believed it to be.

3. Investigating Christianity: The case for Jesus' divinity and resurrection

"If Jesus truly did claim to be God, then the Quran is wrong and Islam is a false religion."

Historical evidence. Nabeel's investigation into Christianity led him to examine the historical evidence for Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. He found the case for these events to be surprisingly strong, supported by early and multiple attestations.

Biblical analysis. Through careful study of the New Testament, Nabeel discovered that Jesus' claims to divinity were not limited to the Gospel of John, as he had previously believed. He found evidence of high Christology even in the earliest Gospel, Mark.

Logical consistency. The Christian doctrine of substitutionary atonement, which Nabeel had once found nonsensical, began to make sense as he understood the gravity of sin and the nature of God's love and justice.

4. The power of friendship in spiritual exploration

"Effective evangelism requires relationships. There are very few exceptions."

Genuine care. Nabeel's friendship with David Wood, a Christian, provided a safe space for him to explore his doubts and questions about Islam without feeling attacked or judged. David's genuine care for Nabeel as a person, rather than just as a potential convert, allowed for open and honest dialogue.

Intellectual challenge. Through their friendship, Nabeel was exposed to strong arguments for Christianity that he had never encountered before. David challenged Nabeel's assumptions and encouraged him to investigate both faiths critically.

Living example. David's commitment to his faith and willingness to engage in difficult conversations served as a powerful testimony to the truth of Christianity. This living example of faith in action had a profound impact on Nabeel's spiritual journey.

5. Seeking divine guidance through dreams and visions

"God would not allow it. He gave me a dream that very night."

Islamic tradition. In Islamic culture, dreams are often seen as a means of divine communication. Nabeel, drawing on this tradition, earnestly sought guidance from God through dreams and visions.

Symbolic messages. Nabeel experienced several vivid dreams and visions that he interpreted as divine guidance:

• A vision of a field of glowing crosses
• A complex dream involving snakes, iguanas, and crickets
• Three consecutive dreams pointing towards Christianity

Interpretation and doubt. While these experiences had a profound impact on Nabeel, he still struggled with doubt and the fear of misinterpreting them. This led him to seek confirmation through multiple dreams and careful analysis of their symbolism.

6. Weighing the cost: The struggle between faith and family

"The cost for a Muslim to accept the gospel can be tremendous."

Cultural identity. For Nabeel, embracing Christianity meant not only changing his religious beliefs but also potentially losing his cultural identity and connection to his community.

Family relationships. The prospect of converting to Christianity threatened to devastate his close-knit family relationships, particularly with his parents, who had invested so much in his Islamic upbringing.

Personal consequences. Nabeel faced potential consequences such as:

• Ostracism from his community
• Loss of social connections and support systems
• Shame and dishonor brought upon his family
• Possible threats to his personal safety

These potential losses weighed heavily on Nabeel as he considered the implications of following Christ.

7. Embracing truth: The transformative power of honest inquiry

"The work of my intellect was done. It had opened the way to His altar, but I had to decide whether I would approach it."

Intellectual honesty. Nabeel's journey demonstrates the importance of intellectual honesty in matters of faith. His willingness to critically examine his beliefs, even at great personal cost, ultimately led him to a deeper understanding of truth.

Emotional struggle. The process of questioning and potentially leaving his faith was emotionally wrenching for Nabeel. He experienced intense periods of doubt, fear, and grief as he grappled with the implications of his discoveries.

Transformative faith. Ultimately, Nabeel's pursuit of truth led him to embrace Christianity, not as a rejection of his cultural heritage, but as a fulfillment of his lifelong search for God. This transformation came at great personal cost but also brought a profound sense of peace and purpose.

Last updated: August 9, 2024