Photo by Ifrah Akhter on Unsplash
We rejoice when we hear testimonies of people turning to follow Jesus from a different background. Muslim people too are hoping that people will turn from other faiths to follow Islam. One friend often asks if I’m ready to become a Muslim, another makes it clear that he is inviting me to Islam.
“Dawah” is the religious word Muslims use for their outreach. It means inviting people to Islam. It is an important part of some Muslim people’s engagement with those of other faiths, particularly people from a Christian heritage. Some people have heard this invitation and decided to become Muslim. Maybe you know someone like this, a member of your family or a friend.
Many Muslim people call these people ‘Reverts’ rather than ‘Converts’. This stems from a Muslim belief that at birth everyone is born a Muslim and it is a person’s upbringing or environment that moves them away from Islam to follow some other faith system. So, when a person turns from another faith to follow Islam they have ‘reverted’ to the faith they were born with and what God intended them to be.
Why do people choose to follow Islam?
Some people are disillusioned with their family’s Christian environment and looked for an alternative to marginalization, prejudice, restrictive legalism or excessive moral freedom. Maybe they have a grievance about the way they were brought up and the narrative they heard from their birth family or community.
For others the community aspect of being part of the Worldwide Muslim family – The Ummah – is attractive. They hear greetings like ‘Brother’ and ‘Sister’ and see people coming together regularly in unity. Often Muslims who engage in Dawah offer close friendships and support for the people transitioning to Islam.
Some choose to join because they have been convinced by teaching on the high morals, the equality of men and women, and the egalitarian and peaceful nature of Islam.
Others have encountered Islamic rhetoric which focuses on the so-called inconsistences, complexities and contradictions in Christian theology. This is a polemic which talks about the corruption of Jesus’ teaching and the logical impossibility of the Trinity. Some people who hear this have been convinced by the alternative ‘simple’ nature of the Islamic teaching on God and revelation.
The freedom of worship and practice in some branches of Christianity can be a stumbling block to some people who are looking for a structured regulated way of life with clearly defined rights and wrongs and do not realize that this can be found in Christianity too.
There are another group of people who because of a relationship have chosen to become a Muslim so they can marry into a Muslim family. This can lead to a genuine bonding with, and appreciation of, the Muslim community.
What should our response be?
When we talk about Jesus with these people should our approach be any different from the way we engage with people from a Muslim heritage?
One thing to bear in mind is that former Christians may know more about Islam and Christianity than those born into a Muslim home. They have been on both sides of the fence and have investigated both faith’s claims in order to come to a decision to become Muslim. Some of them may have been hurt by the church or Christians and carry strong negative feelings towards Christianity and Christians. They now have new and complicated family relationships or have been held up as trophies.
It is important to love these people and not see them as traitors or naive and ignorant. Offering a loving family and welcoming environment is vital. Also, taking a genuine interest in a person’s life and struggles is important in all our reaching out, but especially with these people.
What can we learn?
Is our church community loving and accepting so that people who are already a part feel valued and encouraged and don’t have a desire to leave? Are we teaching clearly the truth and relevance of the Trinity, the person of Jesus and the reliability of the scriptures? Do we assume people know why and what Christians believe and so apologetics are not taught which leaves people ill equipped to stand firm in their faith?
Let’s not close our eyes to these people who are turning to Islam to find answers and meaning, pray for them, spend time with them and support their relatives who have lost a loved one to another faith.
WANT TO learn MORE?
If you want to learn more about why people turned to follow Islam, there are stories on the links below. As you think about what these people say, pray for them and their families. Think about the Christian community they might have come from and ask yourself whether it reflects your church or the teaching (or lack of it) in your church.
Why have they found Islam attractive?
How would your testimony about following Christ differ from these stories?
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTc8BpiKvjEfYfOOnyUxZrgaUhR2mRIL8
Here is a website specifically for reverts: https://muslimconverts.com/converts/