Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity

A key theme in Qureshi’s Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus is the emotional and relational costs of religious conversion. While much of the narrative focuses on intellectual arguments and historical evidence, Qureshi emphasizes that his journey from Islam to Christianity was also a rupture of family bonds and cultural identity. The book thus suggests that religious conversion involves far more than a change of doctrinal beliefs—it constitutes a fundamental reordering of one’s social world and sense of self.

The anticipation of his parents’ reaction looms over the entire narrative. He understands from the outset that embracing Christianity will be perceived by his family as a betrayal of everything they have invested in him. For his parents, Qureshi’s faith is not merely his own but a shared family heritage connecting them to their ancestors, their community, and their cultural roots. His apostasy thus represents not only theological error but familial abandonment and cultural treason. When Qureshi finally reveals his conversion to his parents, their response confirms his worst fears. Qureshi cries out to God, “Why did You leave me to hurt my family more deeply than they’ve ever been hurt?” (281). He describes the months and years that followed as marked by estrangement, tension, and painful conversations.