I do not remember which speaker recommended this book from the pulpit right before Christmas but I clicked three keys and bought it on Kindle right during his sermon. I knew I could not risk forgetting the title! I just started the book and find it hard to put down.

Nabeel Qureshi is an American of Pakistani descent. His dad was stationed in the Navy right here in Norfolk. He starts out by telling of his devout Muslim childhood, to make it understandable to those of us who do not know a lot about Muslim beliefs.

For instance, Muslims believe every word of the Quran was divinely inspired so they will not translate it out of Arabic. Nabeel spoke Urdu with his family, English in public, and Arabic, which all Muslims learn in order to read and recite the Quran.

It would be like us all learning Koine Greek to read the New Testament, because we, too, believe every word of the original manuscripts was inspired (in fact, history shows us a reticence to translate the Bible until the Reformation).

Something else reminded me of us. See if you can picture this incident:

"It was my Quran, the very first book I was ever given. Thrilled, I ran to Baji to show it to her. Baji was playing on the floor near Ammi and Abba’s room, so I got down next to her and placed the Quran on the ground to show it to her. All of a sudden, I heard Ammi emit a heart-stopping scream while running in my direction. “Nabeel!” I was too shocked to respond. I had never heard her scream like that, nor had I ever seen her run. In a flash she picked up the Quran. “Never put the Quran on the ground!” “Okay.” “Always raise it high. Put it in the most honored place, wash your hands before touching it, and only touch it with your right hand. This is not just any book, it is the word of Allah. Treat it with the respect He deserves!”

Oh, that we would elevate God's Word even above the respect the Muslims show the Quran!!!