Why Muslims Are Finding Jesus

John Ranim, from Yemen, recounts his upbringing in a devout Muslim family where he was taught Islamic practices from a young age. Despite his devotion and adherence to rituals, he felt a profound disconnection from Allah. When he sought answers from imams about eternity and his spiritual void, they shut him down, telling him not to question and to simply submit, quoting a Quranic verse that warned against asking too many questions.

Hoping to find a connection with Allah, John traveled to Mecca, Islam's most holy site, with his mother. Despite performing the pilgrimage rituals with millions of other Muslims, he experienced no spiritual encounter and concluded that Islam was man-made. He secretly abandoned Islam in Mecca, a dangerous act due to the death penalty for apostasy, and lived as a secret agnostic upon returning to Yemen. This period was the hardest time of his life, pretending to be Muslim.

In 2017, John left Yemen for Greece seeking freedom. There, he met a Syrian Christian who introduced him to Jesus Christ (Yeshua al-Masih) after John noticed a cross tattoo. This was John's first time hearing about Jesus. He began studying the Bible with German missionaries and was invited to church, despite never having been to one due to churches being forbidden in Yemen.

At church, John was initially surprised by the worship but then felt a divine presence. The pastor's sermon on sin, Jesus' sacrifice, and salvation resonated deeply. Reading the Bible, particularly Matthew 3:16-17 describing Jesus' baptism and God's voice, was a revelation, confirming the Trinity. He found a connection with God he had long sought. Overwhelmed with newfound faith, he publicly accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, leading to his baptism and changing his name from Muhammad to John.

John shares the challenging consequences of his conversion: disownment by his family, a forced divorce from his wife, and daily death threats. He quotes Matthew 10:32 and 10:37, explaining his commitment to Jesus despite the cost. He attributes the growing number of Muslims turning to Jesus to disillusionment with Islam and its strict laws. He emphasizes that Yeshua is the only way to heaven and that many Muslims are seeking truth, often experiencing dreams of Jesus.

John directly addresses any doubting or questioning Muslims, encouraging them to continue seeking answers. He contrasts the Quran's command not to question with Jesus' invitation to 'ask, seek, and knock.' He asserts that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, a loving God who died for humanity, unlike the Allah of Islam. He urges them to repent and come to Yeshua, the God of love and salvation, who desires to write their names in the book of life.