Imams, Biryani, and the Goodness of the Gospel • Frontiers USA

Imams, Biryani, and the Goodness of the Gospel

A Muslim-background believer is inviting neighbors—and even imams—to feast on the truth of the Gospel.
July 27, 2020 By Frontiers USA
a plate of lamb biryani

Carefully pushing aside one of the piles of notebook paper on our kitchen table, my husband quietly set down a platter of steaming biryani from a nearby restaurant. My mouth watered as I smelled the local dish of masala- and cinnamon-infused rice and meat.

But my friend Sohaila paid no notice. Her focus fluttered between the open Bible, Quran, and papers spread across the table. Furiously the Muslim-background believer scribbled in her notebook as the biryani got cold.

For hours we’d been poring over the texts together. We had examined passages in the Quran that mention Jesus, compared them with Bible passages, and discussed how they can be used to share the Gospel with Muslims.

“Since I’ve come to follow Jesus, I feel like I’m feasting on a platter full of biryani.”

About an hour later, Sohaila gathered her pages of notes and, with reverent care, stowed them in her bag with her Bible.

Digging into the dinner that had long since gone cold, Sohaila poured out her heart.

“Since I’ve come to follow Jesus, I feel like I’m feasting on a platter full of biryani like this one,” she said, pointing to the flavorful dish in front of us.

“Meanwhile, everyone around me has a saucer of plain white rice. I can’t help but share with them the abundance and goodness I’ve found!”

Sohaila told me about a family friend who is an imam. She recently challenged him to consider why God gave Jesus a miraculous birth and resurrection—while Muhammad had no miracles. The question left the imam speechless.

“I can’t help but share with them the abundance I’ve found!”

She also shared that another imam was moving into the house next to her family, and she hoped to have the chance to share the truth with him too.

God is moving in her life. As He fills her with truth, Sohaila is eagerly telling others about the goodness she’s experienced In Christ.

Sohaila and I continue to study and pray together, and we’re both excited and full of joy over what God will do in the lives of Muslims around us.

  • Pray for Sohaila to continue growing in wisdom and boldness as she shares the Gospel with others.
  • Ask the Lord to equip Sohaila to bear fruit in every good work and to grow in the knowledge of God.
  • Pray for workers as they equip new believers like Sohaila to share Christ with Muslims—and even imams.
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Editor's Note

This account comes from a long-term worker. Names and places have been changed for security.

Main photo by Sneh Roy