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Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus summary

Nabeel Qureshi

A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity

4.1 (118 ratings)
19 mins

Brief summary

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a memoir by Nabeel Qureshi that chronicles his journey from being a devout Muslim to embracing Christianity. It provides a personal and thought-provoking exploration of faith, identity, and cultural dynamics.

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    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus
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    Born into Islam

    At dawn in Muslim countries, sonorous cries echo over rooftops and across sleepy villages, towns, and cities. The words are a statement of the core beliefs of Muslims everywhere:

    “Allah is Great! I bear witness that there is no god but Allah! I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah!”

    These are the opening words of the adhan, the call to prayer, but they are also a reminder to Muslims to dedicate their lives to Allah from the moment they awaken. 

    For many Muslims, these are the first words they ever hear. In accordance with a tradition going back to the prophet Muhammad, parents whisper them to newborns. When Nabeel Qureshi was born in 1983, his father spoke them into his ear, just as his father had 30 years earlier. For two decades, that proclamation of faith reverberated in Nabeel’s heart and mind. 

    Nabeel’s parents hailed from Punjab, a region in central-eastern Pakistan, but they had lived in the United States since the 1970s. His father served in the United States Navy; his mother raised the children. Both were Ahmadis – members of a nineteenth-century Islamic revival movement that reshaped the religious landscape in what was then British India. 

    Because of his father’s job, the family moved a lot, but the Qureshis attached themselves to the local mosque and Muslim community wherever they went. Nabeel, the oldest of three children, received a rigorous religious education. At the age of four, he began learning to recite the Quran in the original Arabic; later, he began studying the books of commentary in the family’s study. His father was an amateur apologist – someone who seeks to logically and persuasively justify their beliefs. It was from him that Nabeel inherited his love for theological debate. 

    It was a patriotic American family, but the Qureshis also saw themselves as outsiders. As Nabeel’s mother told him when he was 10, people would always see him as a Muslim first and foremost. If he excelled academically, people would remark on what an excellent Muslim student he was; if he became president, he would always be the Muslim president. That, though, was no bad thing: whatever else he was, she said, he would always be a Muslim. That was his identity and his calling. For the first twenty years of his life, he saw it that way too. Nabeel not only embraced Islam – he also sought to be an ambassador for his faith. 

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    What is Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus about?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (2016) traces a young man’s dramatic spiritual journey from Islam to Christianity. Packed with insights into the faith he grew up with as well as the faith he adopted later in life, Quereshi’s story will challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those interested in the world’s greatest religions.

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Review

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (2014) is an enlightening memoir about the author's personal journey from Islam to Christianity, making it a thought-provoking read. Here's why this book is worth picking up:

    • The book offers a unique perspective on the intersection of two major religions, providing deep insights into the Muslim faith and the process of conversion.
    • Written with honesty and vulnerability, Nabeel Qureshi shares his inner struggles and doubts, making the book relatable and emotionally impactful.
    • Through his personal story, Qureshi addresses common questions and misconceptions about Islam and Christianity, fostering understanding and dialogue between the two religions.

    Who should read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    • Believers interested in interfaith dialogue
    • Anyone questioning their own faith journey
    • History buffs 

    About the Author

    Nabeel Qureshi (1983-2017) was a well-known Pakistani-American Christian apologist and speaker. Quereshi studied medicine at the Eastern Virginia Medical School and religion at Duke University before pursuing a doctorate in New Testament studies at Oxford University. He authored several books on Islam and Christianity, including Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, a heartfelt account of his journey from Islam to Christianity, and No God but One: Allah or Jesus? 

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    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus FAQs 

    What is the main message of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a powerful story about one man's journey from Islam to Christianity.

    How long does it take to read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus can be read in several hours, but the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a captivating and eye-opening book, definitely worth reading.

    Who is the author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    The author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is Nabeel Qureshi.

    How many chapters are in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus has 17 chapters.

    1. My Family and Me
    2. My Religion and Me
    3. Community of the Qur'an
    4. Rites of Passage
    5. Connections
    6. Connection Rejection
    7. Community of Believers
    8. Communion with God
    9. Proofs and Proofs
    10. Behold the Man
    11. Reasonings of the Soul
    12. Reasonings of the Soul 2
    13. Climbing the Mountain
    14. In the Name of God the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
    15. Hospitality
    16. My Journey's End
    17. Words of Fairness

    How many pages are in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus contains 263 pages.

    When was Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus published?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus was published in 2014.

    What is the main message of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    The main message of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a personal journey of a devout Muslim meeting Jesus through intellectual and spiritual struggle.

    How long does it take to read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    The reading time for Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a fascinating and inspiring book that provides insights into the intersection of faith and personal transformation. A must-read!

    What to read after Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh
    • Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
    • The Reason For God by Timothy Keller
    • Imagine Heaven by John Burke
    • Learning to Pray by James Martin
    • The Art of Explanation by Ros Atkins
    • The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
    • Confessions by Saint Augustine
    • The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
    • Phaedo by Plato