Nabeel Qureshi (@NAQureshi) is a former devout Muslim who was convinced of the truth of the gospel through historical reasoning and a spiritual search for God. His focus is on the foundations of the Christian faith and the early history and teachings of Islam. He is the author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Learn more about Nabeel at his site.
Today we talk with Nabeel about superficial Christianity, dreams and visions, and authentic friendship.
1) You grew up in a loving American-Muslim home. How did your childhood compare with your Christian friends?
Honestly, almost all of my Christian friends seemed to be Christian in name only. They went to church and said they were Christian, but that was about it. Most of them were never able to answer my questions about Christianity, whereas I have been taught the details about my faith and how to defend it. I felt that I was truly Muslim in my identity, whereas most of my Christian friends did not really embody their faith.
2) One friendship, and the conversations about religion that happened in that friendship, changed your life. Tell us how you became friends with David.
I used to engage regularly in conversations with Christians because each time I did so, I was confirmed in my Islamic faith. I enjoyed engaging them, both to invite them to what I thought was the truth, and to reveal Christianity as the obvious falsehood I was taught it was. When I met my friend David, everything changed. He was able to defend his faith, and as someone who was strong in his beliefs, I felt a bond with him and we became friends.
3) What finally drove you to a point of decision between Islam and Christianity? What was holding you back—and what finally drove you forward?
The first thing that had to happen was that someone had to show me the truth about Christianity. Only when I saw the truth would I be able to assess whether I would follow it or not. David didn't just tell me why he believed in the gospel, he showed me how we could be confident it is true and therefore everyone should believe it. The historical evidence he provided for Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as Jesus' claim to be God, made all the difference. When I contrasted the evidence for Christianity against the evidence for Islam I knew that intellectually there was no comparison. So I asked God to reveal himself to me in truth, through dreams and visions. All those things, combined with actually reading the Bible, are what drove me forward to the point of accepting Christ.
4) Why do you think dreams and visions are a powerful part of both Muslim and Christian faith experiences?
I think the reason why dreams are an important component of people leaving Islam and accepting Christ is that most Muslims believe that God reveals himself and his will to them in dreams. In fact, it seems to be the only way that they believe God will reveal his will to them. So they have faith that God will direct them, so God uses their faith for his purposes. I think those Christians that receive dreams have faith as well, and though God is not obligated to reveal his will in dreams to Christians who already have the Holy Spirit within them, he may choose to do so and often does.
5) You say that authentic friendship is the best form of evangelism. What advice would you give to someone hoping to reach a Muslim friend for Christ?
I think the Lord gave us the perfect instruction for evangelism in Matt 22:37-39, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind … and love your neighbor as yourself." When you love the Muslims around you by treating them like family and helping those who need help, they will come to know you more and perhaps even wonder what makes you so loving. When they see you loving the Lord your God with all that you are, they will have their answer. Do not be afraid to love Jesus openly and to engage in conversation, especially after your friends know you love them.
Daniel Darling is vice-president of communications for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Activist Faith.
