Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity

After reading Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, I watched several of his videos. One of his last was reminding us of the importance of love in debating doctrine and seeking truth. Truly, this book was written from a heart of love. Love for his religious upbringing and his family, and love of truth. You can actually feel the pull of Qureshi's desire for truth and when finding it, his deep love for the cross he had to bear in being all that God called him to be. He was, as David Wood referred to him, a genius. And yet in his intelligence, this book never makes you feel like you are being "talked down to" or negated in any way whether Muslim or Christian. While this is a beautifully written memoir of one man's search for truth, it is also a carefully organized wholistic presentation of a deep theological debate. Christians and Muslims both would do well to read it. It is illuminating, heart-rending, credible, and easy to read. All with a bit of humor thrown in as would naturally happen with any two college boys. For those who want to understand Muslims better, read it. For those who want to understand Christians better, read it. For those who want to sit down and read an excellent story of one man's short life and be riveted by his story, read this one. My reading of this book (and I read many, many books), will not soon, if ever, be forgotten. Thank you, Nabeel, for bearing your cross. Thank you for writing. While it is not mine to declare, my heart cries, "Well done! Thou good and faithful servant!" Thank you, Nabeel, for being you.

This book was fantastic and very powerful.

I purchased this book assuming I would learn a little more about Islam and the differences from that religion and Christianity. I accomplished that and so much more. This book is very inspiring and well written. It is a must read for anyone exploring faith or that has historical questions regarding Islam or Christianity.

This book was recommended to me a couple of years ago by a close friend. I saved it on a "Future Reads" list on Amazon and the audiobook in a Wish List on Audible, but never got around to purchasing either. As 2024 was ending, I asked my friend which book I should read first, and he said, "I think you should read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus first." With credits on Audible, I bought the audiobook, and because of a special offer, I purchased the physical book from Amazon. Though I started 2025 with a book I thought was a better fit to begin the year, How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler, I ended up picking this one up shortly after. Four weeks into 2025, this book is finished and the other is only about 20% complete. It's clear this book captured my attention. I’m reading several books at once, or I would have sped through it. The book was not only well-written, but the audiobook was fantastic too. I have a bias toward authors who read their own work—there’s an emphasis in the right places and a conviction in their voice. This was true with Nabeel's audiobook as well. I don’t like giving away too many details about books in reviews, as I want readers to experience the content for themselves without external biases. So, I’ll leave it at that. This book by Nabeel Qureshi is a must-read for any Christian seeking a basic understanding of Islam, Muslim beliefs, and how to approach evangelism with this faith. His writing style and the honest recounting of his conversion make the book easy to read and relate to. It's one of the best books on Christian apologetics I've read in years, and I only wish I had picked it up sooner. I strongly urge you to read it—you will be blessed.

I read this book in three days, it was a fascinating insight into the Muslim faith. I have many neighbors of the Muslim faith in my area and Nabeel provided such a full understanding of this faith. I have gotten to know a few of them well and enjoy their friendship. As much as I was intrigued by Nabeel's account of his conversion, his descriptions of his parents gripped me almost as much. I am also the child of first-generation immigrants to the US and as he points out, and many others before him and since have as well, when you're the child of an immigrant, you're never ethnic enough for your parents and you're never American enough for your friends. It's that timeless pull in both directions, of not quite fitting in in either "world." His parents sound much like mine: loving, sacrificial for their children, but also overly enmeshed with their children, bordering on idolatry of them, and a bit controlling. Friends and outsiders were discouraged and when they were permitted, were viewed with suspicion and at arm's length. By that, I mean nothing sinister. I see now looking back, that immigrant parents see their children as a garden they are nurturing and are very protective of anything that might destroy what they have planted. Nabeel's parents sound like such loving, dear parents. It's just what happens to so many of us parents, in wanting what we feel is best for our kids and wanting to orchestrate as many details of their lives to attain this, to make ourselves feel better. It's actually not possible to control someone. I've tried. Doesn't work! Anyway, as I read Nabeel's story, it sounded to me much like what happens -- what *should* happen -- when an adolescent or young adult pulls away from his/her parents. It's painful for both, for the parents almost a physical pain! I mean, his mom had to be taken to the hospital when he told them of his conversion. As painful as this separation is, it is a necessary pain for the child to separate and individuate. Reading about how his mom made him, in his 20s, call her whenever he arrived somewhere, reminding him to pray, in wanting to know even his thoughts, etc, that was my mom, both dear and maddening in her caring. (Note: I believe I've become my mom now that I'm a mom. I get her concern. I force myself to back off when I feel myself getting too carried away.) I understand in Nabeel's culture, individuating is not encouraged. As much as he did not want to wound his parents and family, he individuated in a dramatic way when he converted to Christianity; and then when after years and years of the time and expense of medical school, he chose to enter ministry; and finally again when he chose to marry an American woman. I related so much and almost didn't want to read his account describing how he told his parents of his decision to follow Jesus. It made me recall the hurt I experienced from my family, the rejection. While my family was not Muslim, they objected to my marrying an American. I hope I have not sounded critical of Nabeel's parents. I truly am not. If anything, I felt such pain for them at what they went through and as Nabeel asked, I pray for them almost daily, as well as for Nabeel's wife and daughter. I remember seeing his dad in one of his vlogs during Nabeel's illness. He seems like such a loving dad, willing even to appear in the vlog for his son. Not every dad would do that. I bless Nabeel for this book. I have been a Christian 31 years and reading of how much he had to surrender and suffer for his Lord made me see how much I take my faith for granted and how little I would be able to defend it. It's made me want to learn more to share more, as Nabeel said a week before his passing, "When we talk to people about our beliefs, we should do it through a lens of love. And the whole point should be to bring people together, to bring people together to the truth, and not to hurt one another but to help one another. My whole point in teaching is for love to reign." Going back to my neighbors of Muslim faith, that is my prayer, for love and love only to reign.

I had no idea what kind of a treat I was in for in reading this book. I don’t think I’ve ever read such a riveting auto biography. Nabeel Quereshi tells his story of what it is like to grow up in Scotland and America as a a second generation immigrant from Pakistan. It took me two days to read the book because it is close to 400 pages and I’m a slow reader, but I had a hard time putting it down. Nabeel is a phenomenal story teller and has a witty and fantastic intellect. This book has it all: drama, humor, depth, pathos, wisdom, and fantastic spiritual truths. Nabeel has a way of bringing you into the story so that you feel like you are in each scene. I laughed, cried, and laughed and cried some more. This book helped me immensely in the following ways: (1) It gave me tremendous insight into what it’s like to be a second generation Muslim living in America; (2) It helped me to better understand the beliefs, culture, sociology, and religious practices of Islam; (3) It gave me a greater compassion for people of the Muslim faith; (4) It motivated me to befriend, understand, and help Muslims; (5) It motivated me to know what I believe and why I believe it (as a Christian) more than I do; (6) It gave me an excitement to go deeper in my study of Islam and Christianity and how they are similar and different; (7) It made me want to delve deeper into being able to give numerous reasons for and evidences of the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scriptures, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and evidences for the Deity of Jesus and why this matters immensely for everyone. I think any Christian, Muslim, or a person of any belief can benefit from reading this book. It will stir in you a desire to know what you believe, why you believe it, and motivate you to seek the truth. Nabeel has a story that will motivate you, liberate you, excite you, and can radically change your life! I can’t recommend this book highly enough – absolutely outstanding. It’s a book I will read again and again for encouragement, motivation, and transformation.

Qureshi is obviously a very intelligent gentleman and has done a wonderful job at explaining the central tenets of Christianity. However, it surprises me that a man of this caliber was so ill-equipped and ill-prepared to defend his Muslim faith. It was also surprising to witness someone (who was born into Islam) who misunderstood his own religion to such a degree. Considering his lack of a deeper understanding of Islam, it does not surprise me that he made the conversion to Christianity. What shocks me is that he did not dig beyond the surface to educate himself further with regard to the central theology of Islam. I want to clarify the salvation message according to Islam as I do not believe Qureshi explains it correctly. Islam is the journey of lovingly serving God for the blessing of the life we were given, but could do nothing to ever earn. It is not a path about obtaining God’s love or favor; it is a path that teaches you to strive, persevere, and unveil what you have already been given. In Islam, God does hold us accountable for each of our actions and what is in our hearts; we will all have to answer to Him for our deeds and no one will be able to intercede on our behalf. However, in Islam, God is repeatedly described in the Quran as being the most merciful and the most forgiving. Since God is sovereign over all, it is up to him on a case by case basis who he forgives and grants access to heaven and who he denies. As Muslims, we believe that if we sincerely repent for our sins, God will show us his infinite mercy. However, technically in Islam, salvation is guaranteed to no one. (Also, Christians and Jews can be saved, even when they are not Muslims.) Aside from my criticism above, I highly enjoyed both of his books! I actually credit him as being the catalyst in my conversion from Christianity to Islam. (Probably was not his intention.) 😁 Perhaps I am biased, but I always had a very difficult time digesting and accepting the Christian conception of God and Jesus’ role. There was always something deeply non-intuitive about Christianity, and for years I could not articulate well my struggles. I left Christianity and became an atheist for several years before eventually returning to the religion again. Since 2014, I poured a lot of energy into learning and understanding Islam and the Islamic conception of God. (We believe God to be an absolute unity, a monad like in Judaism.) Fast forward to 2020, and the moment I realized that I was Muslim occurred while I was reading my Bible, the gospel according to Mark. In Mark 12:28, a scribe asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment of them all? Jesus replies, “The first of all the commandments is: hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” In that moment, it hit me like a brick in the face and I soon after became a Muslim. I must admit that the Islamic conception of God and the Islamic message of salvation is far more intuitive and natural than in Christianity. (My opinion.) As a Christian, I was in anguish. As a Muslim, I have been able to answer my most pressing questions about God and the universe. I couldn’t be happier. 10/10 no regrets, except that I wish I had converted to Islam sooner. 😊

This book is phenomenal. The incredible life story of an exemplary, highly intelligent man. This is A MUST READ! A Young devout Muslim who moved with his family from Pakistan to escape bigotry within the Muslim community. His family, as member of the Muslim Minority sect, Ahmadi, set out for the freedom America was famous for. A highly intelligent, scholarly young man, Nabeel wanted to KNOW the TRUTH about everything. Ideological orthodoxy would never be acceptable. Nabeel adored his family,his Mother, Father Older Sister. He said his Muslim prayers daily. He was even prepared to defend Islam against any argument. As he made many friends of many backgrounds who would share info. About their religions, he grew very curious. They would question & debate. Sources were sought out for ever more understanding. After a very painful occurrence, Nabeel sought a line within the Koran that would offer him comfort. To Nabeel's shock, there was not even one to be found! His fellow student pointed to him several passages in the Christian Holy Bible that offered the comfort He'd sought in vain within the Koran. This was the beginning a devout young Muslim discovering the awesome messages of Love & Eternal Life to All of God's Children, All Humanity. He studied medicine and became a physician, but soon decided he would become a good news teacher-who would bring extraordinay Words of Jesus that Comfort, and free people of the fear of death. During his short life, he made the most of it, and these moving books he wrote are a testament to that. Sadly, this brilliant, beautiful young man passed away of incurable cancer at age 34, leaving behind his beautiful wife & two year-old daughter. God must have loved him so very much to take him back early to his heavenly home to be with his loving God the Father for eternal life. And his pain was gone. This book moved me & it will move YOU, too.

Destaco os três melhores aspectos desse livro brilhante: - Compreender o cotidiano e os valores e princípios práticos de uma família muçulmana; - Como a empatia, respeito, honestidade, paciência e empenho intelecutal dos "personagens" rompe as barreiras da hostilidade e da dúvida; - A coragem de Nabeel e o quanto a conversão de uma fé genuína pesa para si e para a família. Nabeel Qureshi cresceu no ocidente, em uma família islâmica devota, dedicada e amorosa. Aprendeu os costumes e agia de acordo com os bons valores morais de seus pais e de sua tradição. Foi treinado desde a infância nos axiomas e argumentos à favor do islã para que fosse um embaixador de sua doutrina em território estrangeiro. Mais tarde ele se torna grande amigo de um cristão, com quem passa a ter conversas profundas e honestas sobre as suas respectivas fés. Durante e além desse período ele convive com cristãos, ateus e até mesmo um budista. Busca conhecimento nos livros e intelectuais islâmicos. Se envolve em debates amadores e profissionais. Sofre com profundos conflitos internos e familiares, além de exprimentar relevações divinas impressionantes, pra dizer o mínimo. Não é um livro completo de diferenças teológicas, o foco é apenas nas essenciais e decisivas. Além disso, a grande ênfase é no fator humano e na experiência real.

Ok

disappointed.

It has been a long time since I sat down and truly engaged with a book, but Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus completely captivated me. Nabeel Qureshi treats his family and Islamic upbringing with immense respect, which makes his personal journey to Christianity all the more powerful and heartbreaking. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I’m so happy I bought this book. Nabeel shares openly and honestly about his pride in being Muslim from childhood and sincerity of defending the faith, until those core beliefs started to be challenged and his exploration of Christianity lead him to Christ.