Growing Up Devout Muslim
Nabeel Qureshi's journey began in San Diego, California, where he was born into a devout Ahmadi Muslim family. His early life was steeped in religious education. By age five, he had read the entire Quran in Arabic and was trained in Islamic apologetics by his parents. This foundation was challenged during his time at Old Dominion University in Virginia. There, he met David Wood, a Christian who engaged him in deep debates about the historical claims of Christianity and Islam.
Dreams and Visions Leading to Faith
These discussions led Nabeel to investigate the foundations of his beliefs. As he delved into the historical evidence for Jesus' death, resurrection, and deity, he found the arguments for Christianity compelling. His intellectual struggle was accompanied by dreams and visions, which he saw as divine guidance. In one vivid dream, he saw a narrow door leading to a heavenly wedding feast, prompting him to seek answers in the Bible.
Surrendering Everything to Jesus
In a moment of deep personal crisis during medical school, Nabeel found comfort in the words of Jesus: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." This encounter led him to surrender his life to Jesus, despite knowing the profound cost. His decision to follow Jesus resulted in the loss of many relationships, including estrangement from his family.
Life Transformed Through Ministry
Nabeel became a passionate advocate for the Gospel, joining Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and earning degrees in apologetics. He authored bestselling books like *Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus*, where he shared his transformative journey. Nabeel emphasized that all his suffering was worth the joy of knowing Jesus, stating, "He is that amazing."
Even after being diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer in 2016, Nabeel remained steadfast in his faith, viewing his suffering as a path to deeper reliance on Jesus. He passed away in September 2017, leaving a legacy of faith and courage. Through his life, Nabeel testified that Jesus is the God of reversal and redemption, bringing hope and salvation to those who seek Him.
