The ladies ran towards the footy goal posts: sandals off, fabric billowing, hijabs shoved off sweaty cheeks. And the crowd of children! My boys were the haphazard dregs of this motley procession. When the ladies reached the goals, they turned and ran back. Some kids kept running towards the goals, others turned with the ladies, and some, like my son George, fell flat on their nappy-clad bottoms, threw their hands in the air and laughed a chorus of crumbs.
We were at the park on our street and the ladies insisted I join them for a cup of tea. I sat down in my T-shirt and short-shorts, in contrast to their flowy pants, long-sleeved tops, and delicate head scarves. In broken English (they each spoke three languages), they showed me their sealed teapot and force-fed me traditional desserts.
At the time, Australia had abruptly exited Afghanistan, Kabul had fallen, and footage of Afghans holding onto helicopters was all over the news. I was ashamed of how little I knew, and stammered, “I’m sorry to hear what is happening in Kabul.” I suspected the ladies had faced horrors I would never understand. Yet here they were offering tea and sweets, quietly smoothing over my ignorance.
Extending the Gospel
My neighbourhood comprises 10.9% Muslim believers, in comparison to the greater Perth average of 3%. We walk to and from school together. We invite them to our birthday parties. We’re learning to cook halal sausages so we can eat together.
But I’m ashamed of how little I know about my friends’ religion, which I don’t think is an unusual experience for Australian Christians. Enter Reaching Your Muslim Neighbour with the Gospel by A.S. Ibrahim.
Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel
A. S. Ibrahim
In Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, A. S. Ibrahim seeks to provide readers with insight and practical tips to engage and share the gospel with Muslim friends and neighbors. Ibrahim divides the book into two sections: (1) a Christian understanding of the strands of Islam and the diversity of Muslims, and (2) practical ways for Christians to connect with Muslims and effectively communicate the gospel. This book also incorporates true stories about Muslims coming to Christ and answers common questions.
Ibrahim grew up as a persecuted Christian minority in majority Muslim Egypt. He is now a professor of Islamic studies and the director of the Jenkins Centre for the Christian Understanding of Islam. Writing to equip Christians in authentic cross-cultural evangelism, he begins with encouragement for when we don’t know where to start:
This is a reality: Christianity and Islam are missionary faiths. As you seek to convert Muslims to Christ, you should know that they want you to convert to Islam. Here lies an opportunity: you do not need to be concerned about initiating religious conversations with Muslims; if you do not begin one, trust me, they will. (53)
I’ve certainly found this to be the case. A neighbour struck up an evangelistic conversation with my husband while he worked in the front garden. He returned the following day with not one, but two Qurans. My husband gave him a Bible in return. My friend takes her hijab off when we talk in my kitchen and questions me about the Bible and holy days and what I wear to church. Having opportunities isn’t so much the problem: it’s what to say.
Unpacking Islam
Reaching Your Muslim Neighbour with the Gospel is divided into two sections—the first of which provides an understanding of Islam. Ibrahim helpfully distinguishes between nominal, religious, and extremist Islamic positions, and also highlights difference between Christian and Islamic worldviews. It broke my heart to learn that my Muslim friends believe there is no assurance of salvation or forgiveness. Ibrahim explains,
The Islamic worldview heavily emphasises good works as a means for eternal reward. Muslims, however, may hypothetically do every good deed in their lives and still not reach paradise; this is because there is no guarantee, since Allah knows best. (70)
It suddenly made sense to me why my friends work so hard at keeping all the rules. Ibrahim deftly evoked the desperation of their position, particularly for women.
Islamic paradise is more like the garden of Eden, where a man—not a woman—will find trees, rivers, food, drinks, flawless women, and more. This makes one wonder if there is a paradise for women and what allows one to be admitted. (70)
The book’s second section focuses on the fundamentals of evangelism. Ibrahim encourages prayer, hospitality, asking questions, and understanding your neighbour’s worldview. In other words: get to know the whole person rather than treating them as projects. He also emphasised reading the Bible with Muslim people wherever possible.
Start with God Not Us
Ibrahim is from the Middle East, speaks Arabic, and is a professor of Islamic studies. I am a tired mother of three small children. So, it felt far beyond my capacity when the first section included slabs of suggested dialogue to persuade Muslims to read the Bible by using verses from the Quran.
However, much later, in chapter eight, Ibrahim highlights the importance of intercessory prayer:
prayer actually changes us before it prepares people to receive the gospel. It unites us with the heart of God and equips us to love people as he loves them … new strategies, creative tools and stylish plans do not save people. Unless we realise that God is the one who draws souls to him and saves them, our work is in vain. (107, 109)
I wish this chapter was earlier. Rather than feeling like evangelism is dependent on our knowledge, we can rest secure that God is in control. Only with this foundation can we move forward to expanding our understanding. It could have also been helpful to use more accessible topics like prayer, hospitality, and one to one bible reading as a bridge to tricker topics.
Overall, this is a strong introduction to evangelism with Muslim neighbours and friends. Ibrahim’s humility, love for Muslims and confidence in God are evident throughout. Although portions of this book were difficult and I still don’t have all the answers, Reaching Your Muslim Neighbour with the Gospel helped me understand my neighbours a bit better and feel the desperation of their legalism. It encouraged me to pray, ask questions and open my doors and my Bible with others—relying not on my newfound knowledge, but God’s saving work.
