Nabeel Qureshi was born into a devout Muslim family on April 13, 1983, in San Diego, California. His parents, immigrants from Pakistan, instilled in him a deep commitment to Islam from an early age. By age five, Nabeel had read the entire Qur'an in Arabic and memorized numerous chapters. His upbringing was steeped in Islamic teachings, and he was trained to defend his faith fervently.
A Friendship That Changed Everything
However, everything shifted in 2001 when he met David Wood at Old Dominion University in Virginia. Their friendship sparked a years-long debate over religious truths, challenging Nabeel to scrutinize both Christianity and Islam objectively. His initial disbelief in the reliability of the Bible and Christianity's core doctrines, such as the Trinity, gradually gave way to understanding as he learned about the historical and manuscript evidence supporting the Christian faith.
Nabeel's journey was not merely intellectual but deeply personal. Following the 9/11 attacks, he began to question the beliefs he had held his entire life. During this period, he experienced a series of dreams that profoundly impacted him, suggesting the truth of the Christian faith. In one dream, he envisioned the parable from Luke 13 about the narrow door, symbolizing the difficult path leading to salvation.
As Nabeel wrestled with these revelations, he prayed earnestly for guidance, asking God to show him the truth. He recounted, "The edifice of my worldview, all I had ever known, had slowly been dismantled over the past few years." Eventually, he found no solace in the Qur'an but was drawn to the message of love and redemption in the Bible.
Surrendering to Jesus
In 2005, after years of research, prayer, and divine encounters, Nabeel surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, fully aware of the personal cost. His conversion led to estrangement from his family and community, a sacrifice he described as "the most painful thing I ever did." Yet, he found purpose in his suffering, realizing it was not about him but about sharing the gospel with others.
Nabeel's life took a new direction as he became a Christian apologist and evangelist. He joined Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, spoke globally, and authored several influential books, including *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus*. Nabeel's message was clear: "All suffering is worth it to follow Jesus. He is that amazing."
A Legacy of Faith
In 2016, Nabeel was diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer, a battle he faced with unwavering faith. Until his passing on September 16, 2017, at the age of 34, Nabeel's legacy remained one of passion for sharing the truth he found in Jesus, a truth he believed was worth everything.
