My God talks back

Basheer's Journey to the Father

Basheer had been attending church for some time. Naturally, all the missionaries were glad he seemed to have genuinely come to faith. He sang along, understood why Jesus had to die, and could fit that into his view of the Creator. It felt like… "mission accomplished"?

But what struck me most was that his view of God still carried all the traits of Allah: unapproachable, holy, lofty, and distant. Since, Quranically speaking, we appeared to share many beliefs (which Christians sometimes eagerly use as a bridge), he was convinced we worshipped the same God. He even called me “brother” and didn’t understand my hesitation.

The light only came on when I told him:

“The difference between you and me is that when you pray, you hope Allah might do something. And whatever happens, you’ve been taught to submit to an accepting Inshallah (‘as Allah wills’). But when I pray to my God, I know He not only hears me but He answers!”

Basheer’s eyebrows shot up. “Haram!” ("Forbidden"), he exclaimed. After all, I wasn’t a prophet! God doesn’t just speak to ordinary people. He dismissed my comment as foolishness.

“Basheer,” I said, “surely you’ve heard how Jesus taught us to pray? We even made it into a song. Remember?” His eyes lit up. He loved music. Immediately, he started singing the Arabic version of the Lord’s Prayer, tapping the beat with his foot:

“Abana al-lathi fi ssamawat, liyataqa-das ismuka…”

After a few lines I interrupted him. “Start again,” I said. “And pay attention to what you're singing.”

He began again, eagerly:

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name…”

“Stop,” I said. “Once more but slowly.” He frowned, slightly annoyed, but said slowly:

“Our…”

“Yes?” I said. “Fa–ther…?” He suddenly looked shocked. “No…!?” he said at the thought of addressing the Creator so intimately.

“You see it now?” I asked. “You submit to Allah as a slave. But through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we’ve been given the privilege of becoming children of God. That’s why I can call Him Father. And tell me what father wouldn’t want to talk to his children?”

That evening, I had the joy of truly leading Basheer to our Lord the God who personally wants to be involved in our lives as a Father. So close, you can hear Him.