"Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus" is definitely a page turner! I read the first edition back in 2014, and recently read the third edition.

The title in itself riveted my attention, and almost gave me chills when I had first heard of the book four years ago. Masterfully put together, some chapters read just like a novel, providing a window into the culture of a devout and loving Muslim home, while others are replete with knowledge of Islam and Christianity. The book chronicles Nabeel's childhood and early adult years, being raised in Islam. He truly had a love for his religion, and culture, but never critically examined why he believed Islam. It was the faith of his parents and grandparents, and he naturally inherited an adherence to its ways and beliefs. Part of his apologetics for Islam was based on polemics against Christianity, and not without reason, since both faiths contradict one another in their core tenets. To be a Christian, one must confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in their heart that God raised Him from the dead, and they will be saved (Romans 10:9). Islam denies that Jesus ever died on the cross (4:157). It follows then that Muslims believe that he was never miraculously raised from the dead. They do believe however that he was a prophet of God, and that Allah made him ascend to Himself. Further, if one ascribes deity to Jesus, he or she will be guilty of blasphemy and subject to hell (5:17, 5:72). Muslims also believe that the Bible has been changed irreparably and that what Christians possess is a corrupt version of the Scriptures. To lead people back to the true fold of God, Allah sent Muhammad as the final messenger to humanity, and the Quran as the final revelation to man. They believe that the Quran has been perfectly preserved.

Through the sections of this book, Nabeel describes how he journeyed through examining the historical evidence for and against both Christianity and Islam, a journey traveled with his best friend who was a Christian, David Wood. Once Nabeel was convinced that the case for Christianity was very strong, he still refused to become a Christian because he believed the case for Islam was much stronger. However, David challenged him to examine Islam with the same level of scrutiny he had used against Christianity. Nabeel took on the challenge with zeal, sure that Islam would stand the test of a critical eye. What he found out though, about the authenticity of the Quran, and the prophethood of Muhammad, sent his world as he knew it spiralling downwards.

With the apologetics dealt with, Nabeel was left with nothing but to cast himself on the mercy of God, asking God to reveal Himself to him, whether He was Allah or Jesus, by the means of visions and dreams. As the answers came, Nabeel could no longer deny that he was "finding Jesus". The struggle within him was heart wrenching as he desired to follow the truth, and yet not deny his family. He knew his decision would crush his parents and destroy his family. Yet with conviction and courage, and the grace of God, Nabeel made a decision that would change the trajectory of his life forever.

I found it particularly amazing to read Nabeel's story in light of his year long fierce battle with stomach cancer, and his death at the young age of 34. God wove his story with meticulous care and perfect timing, bringing him to rest in the truth and then "proclaim it from the housetops" before his earthly life was done.

This book will challenge and feed anyone interested in better understanding either worldview - that of Islam or Christianity. As you read, you will journey with Nabeel through his early childhood, from the Dunoon to Virginia, playing with ponies with his older sister, through his struggles of being a Pakistani boy raised in the West, through his loneliness and inability to fit in at times, to the Iftar feasts with his family and Muslim community, and to his fun and brotherly relationship with David, and finally to his surrender and falling in love with the Bible and with Jesus. Nabeel will become your friend; he will encourage and challenge you to be more charitable towards your Muslim neighbor. He will help deepen your love for the Scriptures, embolden your faith, and ultimately point you to the one he sought and found - Jesus.

I was intrigued by the title and theme. This is a classic story of be a friend, make a friend, bring a friend to Christ! The twist is that it is told by the one who was befriended and brought to Christ.

I learned much from this book regarding what many Muslims believe and why they believe it, This book is a real eye opener.

Well worth the purchase. This book was eye opening in regard to understanding Islam, the respect that is given to the Muslim faith, yet the truth behind their religion. I would highly recommend it to persons of any faith. May the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ continue to be brought to light!

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is an excellent book which reveals much about the Muslim people and their beliefs. It shows their strong love for family and their connectedness to community.

This book tells Nabeel Qureshi's journey from his childhood and family life as a Muslim to his young adult and college years. He discreetly shares how he sought to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the teaching that Jesus is God, and the doctrine of the Trinity. Then, he sought to prove the inerrancy of the Quran and that Muhammad was a true prophet of God with no blemishes in his character.

In this book, Nabeel allows the reader to see the process by which he came to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In sharing his journey of seeking for truth, Christians gain understanding and insights to better be equipped to share our faith with Muslim people who we may befriend.

Tell me the facts and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. Tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. Native American Proverb

Since 9/11 there has been no end to the political rhetoric, religious discussion, and social tension surrounding the Muslim faith, its role in the world, and how the people of Western culture should react to it. The problem with the majority of what is said it that it is arguments over ideas, philosophies, theories, and beliefs. None of that shows the human side of what's at stake here, but it is essential for us to see that side if we want to draw Muslim hearts to Jesus.

Nabeel Qureshi's memoir shows us that human side. In giving us his life story, Nabeel helps us understand what a loving, peaceful Muslim family looks like. He shows us the deep heart struggle a Muslim will go through when confronted with the Gospel and the difficulties with Islam. He shares with us the pain that a Muslim will face when he sacrifices everything he once held dear to be united with Christ.

If Christians are serious about reaching Muslims for Christ, then we don't want to ignore the importance of the insights Nabeel is giving us here. Sharing Jesus with a Muslim is so much more than gaining intellectual assent to the truth of God's Word. It is overcoming cultural, familial, relational, and spiritual boundaries that have been deeply embedded in the heart of the Muslim since childhood. Nabeel's story illustrates just how much time and effort that can take, and how much love, patience, and support is needed to help the seeking Muslim through that process.

But Nabeel's story is more than just an insight into the process of evangelizing Muslims. It is a testament to God's power and grace, and his burning desire to save his lost children. In Nabeel's story we see God laying the groundwork for his conversion from before even before Nabeel is born, all through his childhood and young adulthood, right up to the day that his heart is changed and he becomes a child of God. God worked powerfully even miraculously in Nabeel's life to bring him into relationship with Jesus. He has done the same for every follower of Jesus, even when they don't see it so clearly. He can and will do the same for many in the Muslim world who are still distant from him.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is a worthwhile read for every Christian. You'll be moved by the story. You'll learn important lessons for witnessing to Muslims (and people in general). You'll gain a deeper appreciation for the Gospel and God's powerful grace.

The recently released third edition of the book includes:

A revised foreword and introduction

A new afterword by Mark Mittelberg and reflection by Nabeel's wife

A substantially extended epilogue that shares how Nabeel told his friend David of his decision to follow Christ, how his parents found out, and much more

Expert contributions from scholars and ministry leaders on each section of the book, contributions previously included only in the ebook edition

An appendix with a topical table of contents (for teaching from Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus)

An appendix tackling the objection that Ahmadi Muslims are not true Muslims

And a sneak peek prologue from Nabeel's book, No God but One: Allah or Jesus?

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.