Let's Bust a Recap : I Believed in 'Issa, I Met Jesus

After slogging my way through A Wrinkle in Time, The Pearl, and The Great Gatsby (thank goodness I started the year with Anne of Avonlea!), I decided it was time for some non-fiction and wrapped up my January reading with I Believed in 'Issa (the prophet), I Met Jesus (the Son of God) by Dr. Jamel Attar. ('Issa is the Arabic name for Jesus.) This book was such a beautiful picture of God's grace and love, and I read it in one day. At just over 100 pages, it's a quick read, but it's hugely impactful.

This book was first published in French and Arabic in 2013, and the English translation just came out a few months ago in 2017. I have personally had the honor of meeting Dr. Jamel Attar on two different occasions when he has visited my church, and my husband had the privilege of visiting him in France this past summer and seeing where he ministers. 

Attar was born into the Muslim country of Morocco, and by the time he was 18, he was a fervent and devout Muslim, wholly committed to the teachings and rituals of Islam. In his book, he explains what he believed as a Muslim and why he was so devoted to the religion. He was given the opportunity to study in France and there he first met Christians and began a relationship with them thinking he would easily convert them to Islam. However, during the three years that followed, Attar was confronted with the person of Jesus Christ, and his life was radically changed forever. He recounts his conversion to Christianity and how his life changed after he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

I really appreciated the insight this book gave me into Dr. Attar's life as a Muslim. Much the same as I was born and raised in a Christian home, Attar was born into a Muslim one. And on top of that, in the country of Morocco he was not exposed to differing religions and Islam was never cast in a negative light. The religion of Islam was truly his whole life and Muhammad was his hero. While I was knowledgeable about Islam and the five pillars, one thing that really struck me was the way Attar viewed the Bible. In Islam, the Torah, Psalms and Gospel are considered holy and sacred, but Muslims are taught that these sacred writings have been falsified and corrupted by Jews and Christians. The Koran is truly their only real and ultimate authority. On arriving in France, Attar was actually amazed to find printed Bibles because a Bible was an abstract concept to him. This helped me understand why it's so difficult for a Muslim to accept anything a Christian might say to him. 

The miracle of God's grace to reach anyone in even the darkest of places is so beautiful to behold, and it's exactly what you see in this book. I would highly recommend it and encourage you to read it. The translation is clear and easy to read and understand. If you'd like to purchase a copy for yourself, you can find it on Amazon. Or if we're friends, I'd be happy to let you borrow it. 

Have you met Jesus?