Islam follows the teachings of Allah in the Quran, describing a vengeful god of punishment. The follower of Islam does not know where he or she is going after this life. Only Allah will determine if the person is going to Heaven or to Hell at the time of the person's death. An Internet video search of "Dr. Jay Smith" results in many video presentations (in English) that explore some of the disturbing aspects of both Islam and the Quran.
On the other hand, the God of Christianity is our loving Heavenly Father, since we are His spirit children, who have been given a physical body for this school of mortality. He (God) arranged for His perfect and sinless Son, Jesus Christ, to come to Earth and to suffer and die for us. Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for all our sins to the degree that He bled great drops of blood from every pore of his body. Following this, He was crucified on the cross, suffering a most cruel and painful death. Jesus has paid the price for our sins as we seek to repent and follow Him. His suffering coupled with His infinite love for us has appeased the demands of justice regarding our eternal future. He loves us with a love that is beyond comprehension and knows each of us by name. Jesus grants us eternal life as we strive to follow Him, even though we often stumble and make mistakes along the way. He suffered for our sins, so that we need not suffer for them, if we will just follow Him back home to our Father in Heaven.
Traditional Christianity generally follows the doctrinal foundation of the Nicene Creed. The First Council of Nicaea took place in 325 AD, under the direction of the pagan emperor Constantine the Great, who was later (327 AD) baptized on his deathbed into the Christian church. This council produced the original Nicene Creed, the statement of faith affirming that Jesus is "of one substance" with the Father. The Holy Ghost was added to the Godhead later in that century in a revised Nicene Creed. It must be noted that those composing the First Council of Nicaea were members of the apostate Christian church, which was no longer lead by prophets and apostles.
Restored Christianity affirms the three members of the Godhead of Traditional Christianity, yet as three separate individuals, who are one in purpose, yet separate in being. Jesus, as the first born spirit child of our Heavenly Father, was Jehovah of the biblical Old Testament. Together the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three separate individuals, yet one in purpose, form the Godhead that we worship. The Lord's church today is lead by divinely called apostles and prophets, as it was anciently, when Christ organized His original church. Visit this restored church at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Islam follows The Quran, the central holy book of Islam. Muslims believe it is the literal word of God (Allah), revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel in the early 7th century AD. The original Quran was written in Arabic and consists of 114 chapters (surahs).
The Bible, the sacred scriptures of traditional Christianity, includes the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) also foundational to Judaism. The Bible is a collection of texts written by various authors (mostly prophets and apostles) over many centuries, traditionally divided into the Old Testament (or Hebrew Bible) and the New Testament, which gives an account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Christians regard it as inspired by God.
The Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ) is a sacred text of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Restored Christianity). It is an ancient record of peoples in the Americas, who originally came from Jerusalem in 600 BC. It was translated from golden plates in the 19th century by Joseph Smith, a modern day prophet, called and commissioned of God in these latter days to restore the original Church of Jesus Christ, which had fallen into apostasy shortly after the death of the original twelve apostles. This restored church is built upon the foundation of revelation through modern day prophets and apostles. The Book of Mormon is considered scripture alongside the Bible by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Compare the Book of Mormon with the Bible
Ruqayyah Valencia-Dacosta (raised Muslim in Birmingham, UK) Full Text
Raised in a Muslim family (parents converted from Christianity). Struggled with anxiety,
depression, and a suicide attempt at 18. Heard an internal voice saying she had purpose. Later in
Dubai, after a Christian cousin shared a video, she prayed asking whether God was Allah or Jesus.
She heard a voice reply "I am Jesus," then louder "I am Jesus Christ," and finally "I am Jesus
Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life." She committed to Christ in 2023.
Hasna Khatun Full Text
She grew up Muslim in South Asia. A Jewish Christian friend witnessed to her for years and gave her
a Bible. In a time of trauma she prayed, "Jesus, I don't know who you are ... but I need that
peace." God appeared to her, cradling her "like a parent to a child"; she experienced a ball of
agape love and left the room transformed. She has followed Christ for decades.
Rifqa Bary (Sri Lankan background, converted in the US as a teen) Full Text
She began questioning Islam at age 12. Cried out to God: "If you're there ... I don't care if you're
Allah, Buddha, Jesus-whoever you are-just show me! ... I will follow you-whatever the cost." Invited
to church by a friend; during worship and the message she sensed God's presence. She went forward,
knees buckling in the aisle, and found freedom, hope, forgiveness, and unyielding love in Jesus.
Her conversion later led to family conflict and national attention.
Yilmaz (from Bursa, Turkey) Full Text
He was raised Muslim, sought a living relationship with God by reading the Quran and Hadith in Turkish;
found contradictions and no solution for sin. Obtained a New Testament. On a second reading of the
Gospel of John, a voice in his heart told him to believe Christ died for his sins. He prayed, felt
born again with peace and joy, and began a personal relationship with God as a loving Friend rather
than a distant judge. Converted around 1990.
N.Z. (India, later Middle East) Full Text
He was a practicing Muslim who followed the five pillars. After his mother's sudden death he had no peace
about the afterlife. Entered a church and asked who Jesus is; the pastor said Jesus is God who
loves him and died for his sins. He compared Bible and Quran, concluded Jesus is God (not merely a
prophet) and that salvation cannot be earned by works. He repented, accepted Jesus, and was
baptized in 2003; now evangelizes.
Turkish man who bought a Bible to convert his Christian friends Full Text
Raised Muslim in Turkey. Shocked by Quran 5:72 (Christians go to hell for equating Jesus with God).
Bought a New Testament intending to find errors and help Christian friends. Became interested
instead. Watched the Jesus film, read prophecies (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, etc.), and prayed for God
to show Himself. Answers appeared in the Bible and through signs. He decided to follow Jesus in 1994.
"James Thurmond" (pseudonym, Morocco) Full Text
He was indoctrinated as a strong Muslim; later studied Islam deeply via debates and found justifications
for violence, slavery, etc., that caused despair and near-suicide. After two years of searching for
a loving, just Creator, Christian hymns about Jesus comforted him. Reading the New Testament
(especially on sin and forgiveness) brought tears; Jesus became "the missing piece." He poured out
his heart, received forgiveness, and found peace and freedom from sin's chains.
Afghan man (anonymous account) Full Text
Raised Muslim, prayed five times daily and read the Quran but never found peace. During civil war
he wanted to fight but felt God prevented him from killing. In despair he received a Bible, read
"Forgive, that you may be forgiven" and John 3:16-style words. He asked a pastor if he could become
a Christian, prayed for salvation, and the peace of the Lord extinguished his hatred and desire for
vengeance. He now serves Jesus among Afghans despite shunning.
Saideh Heravi-Bonab (Iranian) Full Text
Iranian convert from Islam. In sorrow she came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior; His redemptive
sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5) transformed her. Fear gave way to trust. She later spoke of Jesus to
family members. She testifies that true submission is obedience to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who
is Lord and Savior (not merely a prophet).
Hashim (North African background) Full Text
Practicing Muslim. His brother (already a Christian in Europe) left him an Arabic New Testament.
After months of study he understood Jesus lived the perfect life, that he (Hashim) should have lived. Jesus died the
death he (Hashim) deserved. He experienced profound peace and assurance that all sins are forgiven.
Mina's father (Iran; second-generation Islamic theologian background) Full Text
After years of intercession by his daughter, he had a dramatic encounter: a voice said "I am the
Bread of Life ... Kneel before Me." A radiant figure appeared; he was told to repent and that Jesus'
blood washed his sins away. He fell face-forward crying out the name of Jesus repeatedly.
Many Somali and other Muslim-background believers report conversion through dreams of Jesus,
kindness of Christian friends, or reading the Gospels
Full Text
Iranian Account: Leila Fooladi Helabad and Peyman (Abbas Kiani)
Full Text
Detailed written testimony of conversion, family impact, and persecution:
Iranian Account: Augustine (Soheil) Zargarzadeh Sani
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Full written personal story of conversion via satellite TV, Bible study, house church, and baptism.
Iranian Account: Rev. Mehdi Dibaj
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His written defense/testimony presented in an Iranian court (born Muslim, followed Jesus, later martyred).
Iranian Account: Simin (and husband Moshen)
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Written account of conversion through reading the Bible, a Jesus film experience, house church life, arrests, and fleeing Iran.
Iranian Account: Mina Nevisa's father (second-generation Islamic theologian background)
Full Text
Written description of his dramatic encounter and conversion.
Iranian Account: Saideh Heravi-Bonab (already referenced earlier)
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Iranian convert's testimony.
Iranian Account: Sara Akhavan
Full Text
Written story of conversion, family impact, imprisonment in Evin Prison, and later life.
Pakistani Account: Patras Paul (former Imam / Qari)
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Written interview/testimony of doubts while reading the Quran, discovering the Gospel, dream of Jesus, persecution, and ongoing life as a Christian.
Pakistani Account: Esther Ahmad (pseudonym; former aspiring suicide bomber)
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Written accounts of her dream of Jesus, conversion, and life afterward (detailed in articles and her book Defying Jihad).
Common themes across dozens of written stories: lack of assurance of salvation in Islam, contradictions or moral difficulties encountered while studying, direct encounters with Jesus (voice, vision, dream, or overwhelming sense of love/peace), and the discovery that forgiveness is a free gift through the cross rather than earned by the five pillars.
These accounts are representative of a much larger body of published written testimonies available on sites such as Premier Christianity, Christianity Today, Living Waters, jesus-islam.org, and various mission/Bible-society publications. Readers can search the names or titles above for the complete original English texts, which translate cleanly via standard tools. Many converts emphasize that the decision often involved significant personal cost (family rejection, social pressure, or worse) yet resulted in lasting peace and a personal relationship with God through Jesus.
Of these sacred books, it is recommended that you read, study and pray about the Bible, especially the Bible's New Testament, and The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.