by Nabeel Qureshi
2014 / 384 pages
RATING: Great

Nabeel Qureshi (1983-2017) was a Pakistani-American who was raised as a devout follower of the peaceful Ahmadiyya sect of Islam. By God’s providence, he befriended a fellow university student, David Wood, who later became quite famous as a Christian apologist. Here in Nabeel’s book, we see Wood is already an able defender of the faith, and especially equipped to discuss and debate the issue of God vs. Allah, Christianity vs. Islam, with his Muslim friend.

There’s an aspect of this book that will appear to the logicians among us – folks who like to hear arguments clearly presented. Qureshi’s debates with Wood do that in detail, presenting the case for Christianity and the Gospel message, over against Islam. We hear, too, from other debaters, including a formal university debate between Muslim apologist Shabir Ally and Christian Mike Licona, and less formal occasions with other Christians, but also Nabeel’s father, discussing Jesus’ crucifixion. As he continues to study and contrast these two religions he finds that what he thought about Islam wasn’t so – the Koran’s origin wasn’t as fixed and certain, and Muhammad wasn’t the admirable example he’d believed.

But more than facts, there is also heart to Nabeel’s story – his own, and our Father in heaven’s, Who came after Nabeel. As C.S. Lewis said of himself, Nabeel was a most reluctant convert, and in sharing his story, Nabeel wanted Christian readers to understand the enormous cost and struggle that a Muslim faces in even being open to Christianity. He wants us to realize that to even be wrestling with his friend Wood about who God really is, could only be done in rebellion to his family – his wonderful, beloved family! When he told his parents of his conversion, his mother said:

“You are my only son. You came from my womb…. I cradled you, sang to you, taught you the ways of God. Every day since you came into the world, I have loved you with all of me in a way I have loved no one else. Why have you betrayed me, Billoo?”

Telling his parents was devastating to them, and Nabeel too. Christians who were blessed to grow up with their whole families in church don’t understand this price. And what we might not have considered, then, is how being God’s is worth any cost.

Conclusion

This is a powerful story, and among the best Christians biographies I’ve ever read. It’s also a wonderfully instructive look inside the Muslim world. The theological wrestling means this is mostly aimed at adults, though some avid reader teens could certainly appreciate it too.

Sadly, the author passed away in 2017 from stomach cancer. Thankfully, even though the Lord decided to take Nabeel home at the very young age of 34, in His providence He first had Nabeel write this, and two other books on Allah and God, as well as make speeches and presentations, many of which are readily available on the Internet. So Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus can be just the start of your journey with Nabeel.