A Yemeni’s Pilgrimage to Christianity
A Yemeni’s Pilgrimage to Christianity
By Jacob Thomas
28 October, 2016
Satellite TV and the Internet have made tremendous inroads into the Arab World. Some of the telecasts are of a political nature, while others expound Islamic or Christian subjects.
Recently, I came across Al-Hayat, a Satellite TV station devoted to spreading and defending the Christian faith. One of the speakers is Brother Rachid, a Moroccan Christian whose program is known as “Sou’al Jeri’” (A Daring Question) heard every Thursday evening, and archived on the website of http://islamexplained.com
The following is based on a dialogue in Arabic, between Brother Rachid and Brother Jibril Saleh, on the 10th of June, 2016. Brother Jibril is from Sana’a, Yemen. Growing up as a practicing Muslim, he eventually entertained several doubts about Islam. After listening to Brother Rachid, on the Satellite TV Station, he left Islam and adopted faith in the Messiah of the Holy Scriptures.
http://islamexplained.com/UVG_0_ar/UVG_video_player_0_ar/TabId/89/VideoId/1776/464—–.aspx
Brother Rachid: Welcome Brother Jibril Saleh, this is my first interview with a convert from Yemen. Please, give us information about your background, and journey to the Christian faith.
Brother Jibril: I was born into a Sunni family in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. My family was rather conservative. I began attending the local mosque early in my life. After the Salaat al-Maghreb (Service at the Mosque at sunset), I took part in special meetings known as Halaqat, where we memorized Surahs from the Qur’an, and discussed religious subjects.
BR: Who led the Halaqat?
BJ: They were conducted under Sheikhs, with each Halaqat bearing the name of one of the Sahaba of the Prophet, such as Halaqat Ali, or Halaqat Mus’ab, etc. (Sahaba denotes those followers of Muhammad who left Mecca with him in 622, and settled in Medina)
BR: How old were you at the time?
BJ: I was in my early teens. I had several questions in my mind about the subjects being discussed; but I dared not ask them openly. We were warned not to ask deep questions. One question was, “Who created Allah?” I feared Allah, especially the punishments of hell, and the torments that begin after death in the grave. Still, I clung to my faith in the Qur’an; in fact, I developed a way by which I would not accept a Hadith if it conflicted with the plain teachings of the Qur’an.
BR: What was the incident that sparked your quest to think deeply about life issues?
BJ: It happened in 2011; I was living in western Yemen. A hurricane hit the town causing lots of destruction, including several casualties. Prior to that event, I had not reflected on any existential issue; however now, I wondered about my future. In fact, as the powerful storm hit the town, I imagined the Hour of Judgment had come. I became terribly scared! My questions increased. I wasn’t sure that, had I been killed, I would have made it to Heaven! Wat if my good works were outweighed by my transgressions? It was very hard to live with a lack of assurance regarding my eternal destiny!
BR: Did you share your questions and doubts with anyone?
BJ: I used the Internet and Facebook; I became more religious. Working at a gas station, I asked for permission to do my 5 prayers, at the appointed times. Eventually, my devotions did not help; the ritualistic prayers became meaningless, due to their repetitious nature. So, I embarked on a quest of comparing Islam with other religions; and began dialoging with Christians and with Malahidat (those who left Islam, and had become unbelievers.) My quest was for my eternal fate and for the truth. I became bolder in my questions on Facebook: ‘Did the Apostle Muhammad really marry a woman, just after killing her husband and her son?’
Muslims invoke divine maledictions on the Kuffar; nevertheless, their conditions remain worse than those of those Infidels who prosper and do much better in life!
One day, I came upon the satellite TV Station, Al-Hayat airing “A Daring Question” that was critical of Islam. At first, I thought the speaker was wrong, interpreting Qur’anic passages out of their historical context. Yet, when he referred to those violent texts such as striking the necks men, they were the very passages that Da’esh (ISIS) quote when they commit their violent acts.
I continued my research in the Qur’an, I found Surah 9, Al-Tawba (Repentance) Ayah 29, sanctioning violence: “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor in the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”
Then I came across Surah 47, Ayah 4, that convinced me that Islam cannot be the Truth! These words encourage horrific acts of violence, and cannot proceed from Allah!
“So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah – never will He waste their deeds.”
So, I left Islam and became an unbeliever. I thought at the time, that all religions were the same. I had in my possession a copy of the Holy Bible that I had not read. One day, I decided to read it beginning with the Gospel of Matthew. I found these words of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount. They showed me that I had been following the wrong path. I went on reading the Gospel and came across these words of Jesus Christ: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
And this advice from the Messiah about prayer:
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as he heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
I had found the Truth in Christianity, and made known my conversion on Facebook.
BR: What was the reaction of your family, friends and acquaintances?
BJ: I was threatened with death. ‘Should you ever returned to Yemen, we’ll kill you!’ I was shocked! My former friends turned into implacable enemies!
Then, adding to my horror was what happened to a 17-year old acquaintance who had placed on Facebook some of his free meditations, such as, ‘I see Allah in flowers, and not in tombs.’ Islamists considered that as blasphemy. He was abducted and murdered in Aden. Not only that, but they made a video of him breathing his last! They wanted to terrorize anyone who strays from the Path!
BR: What are some of your present activities?
BJ: I have discovered several Yemeni believers, both inside and outside Yemen. I’m in touch with them, strengthening their faith. Several Yemenis have left Islam, and are living as unbelievers. Having been disappointed in Islam, they imagine that all religions are the same!
BR: What about your growth in your new-found faith?
BJ: Having managed to immigrate to America, I looked for an Arabic-speaking church. I found one, and joined it. The first thing I asked for was to be baptized.
BR: How did you feel after your baptism?
BJ: It was the best day of my life. It was a wonderful spiritual event. I said goodbye to my past, I found the real Allah, I sensed the love of Christ. Our God is love; while in Islam’s 99 names of Allah, not one is Love! I learned how to live my faith and to love my enemies; not to swear in my speech! Of course, the change is taking place gradually, having lived so long in Islam!
BR: Are your parents and relatives aware of your conversion?
BJ: Everybody knows about my becoming a Christian. Mother tried to bring me back to Islam, and warns me, ‘Don’t ever say Christ is Allah.’ She pleads with me to return to Islam! My brother calls me ‘majnoon’ (insane), adding that had I opted for Ilhad (unbelief,) he would still respect me; but not for becoming a Christian! A young cousin told me that I deserved to be killed as I have become a Murtad (Apostate).
BR: What about the future?
BJ: I am hopeful about the future. The Lord willing, change is coming. Many Arabs are now critiquing Islam. Nowadays, it’s much easier than in the past. Several young Arabs acknowledge that Muhammad was a pretender, not a true prophet. He led a life of violence, raids, and captivity of innocent women and children; he couldn’t have been a true prophet of Allah.
Of course, Yemen has its insurmountable problems. Illiteracy rate is around 50%; marriage of young girls is very high. A relative of mine has organized a shelter in Aden for young brides who had managed to escape their deplorable conditions! It’s very difficult to combat this awful custom, since Muhammad had married ‘Aisha when she was 6 years old!
BR: What’s your message to the ‘Abiroon? (An Arabic term, it refers to those who have crossed over from their past condition, and arrived safely at their destination with their Lord and Savior Christ Jesus!)
BJ: Hold fast to your faith, be of one mind, work together, be patient. Be wise in the use of the Internet and Facebook. Manifest the fruits of your faith by living in love and in peace.
END OF INTERVIEW
So With Islam so much in the news and in such great power in some countries, as Saudi Arabia and Iran, it’s a good thing to define what Islam really is .Of the many ways Islam may be described, one of them is that a religion of denial. Meaning that Islam denies that Jesus is the Son of God. As in the Son of God Who is God the Father. Furthermore, Islam denies the Jesus is God the Son. In addition, Islam denies that Jesus is God. Before going over these three denials of Islam it first should the stated the Bible instructs the way to tell if a prophet or religious teacher is really from and of God or not is do the teachings and doctrines of that prophet of teacher really fit in accord what is found in the Bible ? For if that prophet or teachers and teachers doctrines that are in contradiction to the Bible then that prophet is a false prophet and that religious teacher is a false teacher and thus in doctrinal error and darkness. Likewise if a religion had teachings and doctrines that are in contradiction that is religion is in error also part of the world of darkness and is therefore a false religion. As the Bible instructs in Isaiah 8:20. “To the law of the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” [K.J.V.] With this clearly stated, three things should be known.
First, that Islam denial that Jesus is the Son of God is in great contradiction to the teaching of the Bible . Which reveals the Jesus is the Son of God? As seen in ,for example Matthew 3:16,17. 16:15,16. Luke 1:35. John 3:16-18, 36. First John 2:22,23. 4:14,15. 5:12,13. Second, that Islam denies that Jesus is God the Son is in strong contradiction to the Bible. As found in Hebrews 1:6-8. With emphasis on verse 8. Third, Islam’s denial that Jesus is God is in great contrast to the doctrine and teaching of the Bible. That Jesus is God may be found in ,for example, John 1:1;3. Colossians 1:15-17. 2:9. Romans 9:5 Second Peter 1:1. Titus 2:13. First John 5:20.
Moreover, to further discover that the Bible teachings that Jesus is God all a person has to do is to compare the Old Testament with New Testament to see that Jesus is God. As in comparing Isaiah 45:22,23. with Philippians 2:5-11. Also by comparing Psalm 89:8,9. with Mathew 8:23-27. will reveal that Jesus is God. Likewise, by comparing Psalm 62:5-7 . with First Corinthians 10:4. shows the Deity of Jesus. Even by comparing the News Testament books together will show that Jesus is God. As in comparing Romans 14:12. with John 5:22. will show Jesus to be God. The list can go on but this should be enough, for all who are willing to see the truth, that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God. That Jesus is God the Son and that Jesus is God.
The imams and mullahs as well as the other apologists for Islam will try to “explain’ this all away by making the claim that the Bible had been corrupted by Christians ,through time, and that’s way the Bible reads as it does. This claim, very much, underestimate the Power of God to protect and preserve His Word ,through time , and to keep in intact and away from the corruption of men. In conclusion, in light and information of the Bible in can be seen that Islam is a awful and terrible doctrinal error concerning it teaching about the Nature of Jesus and therefore Islam is part of the world of darkness. So Islam with its strong contradictions to the Bible is a false religion, Proverbs 14:12. So all dear Muslims are thus invited to leave the false religion of Islam and come the and receive the Jesus of the Bible who is the only way to heaven, John 14:6. and the True Light of the world. John 8:12.
To reply to the many apologists for Islam with their many claims to support Islam there’ the Christian site http://www.answering-islam.org
The way for a person to discover the truth concerning the nature of Jesus is found in the Bible verse Isaiah 8:20. This instructs “To the law of the testimony. If they do not speak according to the word, it is because there is no light in them.” [N.K.J.V.] In other words, if a religious teacher has teaching that are in contradiction to the Word, the Bible, then that teachers is a false teacher who teaches false doctrines. The Muslim clerics, as the imam and mullahs, teach and speak doctrines about God from the Quran .
As the Quran in 112 teaches “He is God alone: God is the eternal begetteth not…” Likewise, this religious book which is the entire foundation of and for Islam further teaches in 19:35. “It is not befitting to God that He should beget a son.” In great contrast the Bible teaches in John 1:14. “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory , the glory of the only begotten of the Father ,full of grace and truth.” Likewise John 3:16 teaches “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… Then just a little further in verse 18 it is written about Jesus Who is “the only begotten Son of God. “ Other places in the Bible further teach that Jesus is the Son of God as in Matthew 16:15:16. Luke 1:35. John 3:36. First John 4:14. 15. 5:14,15. Moreover to be even more clear the Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, Who is God the Father. As found in Matthew 3:16,17. First John 2:22,23. 4:14,15. Of course , it ,very much, needs to made even more specific . The Bible teaches that Jesus is also God the Son. As seen in Hebrew1:8 and First John 5:20. The imams and mullahs as well as the other apologists for Islam will try to “explain” this all away. As in they will try brush off all those Bible verse off by making the claim that the Bible had been corrupted, through time, by Christians and that’s why the Bible reads as it does. That claim they make actually underestimate the Power of God to protect and keep His Word safe and intact ,through time, and away from the corruption of men.
In conclusion ,with the above instruction of the way to find doctrinal truth in Isaiah 8:20 and in the light of the Bible verse provided it may be clearly seen, by all those who are willing to see, that Islam is in terrible doctrinal error and it is therefore a false religion, Proverbs 14:12. John 14;6.
In classical work of ancient Greek literature, by Plato, entitled THE APOLOGY OF SOCRATES it in written that Socrates had said that “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Likewise, in may also be said that “An unexamined religion is not worth believing in.” This is said about all religions. Yet to be specific, in this case, the topic is about the religion of Islam. Furthermore, one man who was as a former a Muslim and had lived in one of the Islamic nations of the Middle East but now he is Christian and an American citizen had explained in a book he wrote that “Driving into depths of the word of reasoned thinking and research in Islamic societies has always been costly. Some Muslim who have done this have even been excluded from their social rights and even sentenced to death.” [1]
[1] ISLAM AND THE SON OF GOD by Daniel Shayesteh page 70.
A claim by Islamic scholars as well as jihadists is that no one can produce something as beautiful as the Quran in the way the words are arranged and thus it can only be of God. This claim should be answered.
First, all someone has to do is examine some of the great works of literature to fine much written beauty. Such as the Greek epic poet Homer with his Iliad and Odyssey and then Virgil who produced the Aeneid has beauty. Even one of the non-Bible books in the Apocrypha called The Song of Three Children is also very beautiful. Thus just because someone sees a work that is written in great beauty doesn’t mean it’s inspired by God.
Second, the scholar Edward Gibbon wrote after an examination of the Quran that it is an “incoherent jumble of fable and precept and declamation which seldom excites a sentiment or an idea, sometimes craws in the dust and is sometimes lost in the clouds…” The writer Thomas Carlyle wrote the Quran is “A wearisome jumble, crude, incondite [with] endless iterations [and] longwindedness…” Likewise, the philosopher David Hume was NOT favorably impressed after reading the Quran.
[Source of the three scholars mentioned – Secrets of The Koran: Revealing Insight Into Islam’s Holy Book .56,66, by Don Richardson]
Furthermore, the following should be taken into consideration.
Of course the Muslim who reads the Quran will see great beauty in the way the words are arranged. This is, in part, because of the power of suggestion after being told so many times that the Quran is so beautifully written. That’s an old brainwashing method, repeating and being told that same thing again and again. Since he or she is always being told the same lie will end up believing that lie. In addition to that, the Imams try to discourage their people from reading other works, such as the Bible, so then they don’t have much or anything to compare or contrast the Quran with. Of course there are some Muslim’s that do read other works, but they are exceptions and they read other things only after they were already brainwashed by the Imams. In short, the Muslims can’t read the Quran objectively because their Imams have programmed them to have a strong bias towards it.
The next step after taken water baptism is baptism of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11, John 14:16-20. You can pray to Jesus for baptism of the Holy Spirit. After receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit will guide you to all truth. John 16:13. You will know Jesus is the true God, not prophet.