What happens when a woman dials 911 in a state of sheer panic and ends up finding the very thing her soul had been searching for? This is the remarkable true story of Rashida Shaheen, a former Christian Sunday school teacher from Georgia, whose entire life changed course through a series of events that only divine guidance can explain. Her path from the church pulpit to embracing Islam is one of the most extraordinary conversion stories you will ever hear — a testimony to the power of sincere faith and God’s plan for those who genuinely seek the truth.
A Young Preacher Who Could No Longer Say the Words
Rashida lost her mother at just 12 years old, and her grief led her to the company of church elders who recognized her spiritual depth. By her early teens, she was delivering sermons from the Pentecostal church pulpit. But one day, something inexplicable happened — God removed the words “in the name of Jesus” from her mouth. No matter how hard she tried, she could not speak them. The church elders prayed over her for thirty days, yet nothing changed. Rather than accept their claim that she had “backslid,” Rashida set out on a courageous search for the truth about God.
“I said, if you can’t give me an answer then I will go and find it myself. I know there’s a God — don’t tell me there is no God because I know it.”
The Quran Arrives — And the First Test of Faith
- After years of studying with various Christian ministers and debating religion in college, Rashida finally accepted a copy of the Quran from a Muslim coworker named Eric Shaheed
- Her Jehovah’s Witness carpool companion refused to let her ride with the book in the car — so Rashida walked home, choosing knowledge over convenience
- That evening, she performed ablution (wudu) as instructed and began a side-by-side comparison of the Bible and the Quran
- When she reached Surah Al-Baqarah and read the words declaring there is no doubt in this book for those who believe, she was overcome and fell into a deep sleep
The Miraculous 911 Call That Changed Everything
Rashida woke at 2:30 a.m. from a terrifying nightmare and dialed 911 in a panic, convinced someone had tampered with her food. But the call was divinely rerouted. Instead of reaching an emergency dispatcher, she was connected to Imam Rashid at a local masjid. When she described her experience of comparing the Quran and the Bible before falling asleep, the Imam calmly told her that God was purifying her mind, removing false concepts, and that she was destined to become Muslim. Right there on the phone, Rashida took her shahada — the Islamic declaration of faith — bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His final messenger.
“I dialed 911 because I wanted emergency to come, but the angels and jinn channeled that call to the Imam. This is how Allah brought me into the religion of Islam in the middle of the night.”
A Life Transformed by Islam
- Within her first week as a Muslim, Rashida taught herself Surah Al-Fatiha in Arabic — stunning her Imam and the entire congregation who had not yet memorized it despite years of practice
- She went on to become a school principal, Islamic studies teacher, revert class instructor, and Girl Scout leader — dedicating her life to service
- As a mother of seven, she experienced Allah’s provision firsthand countless times, trusting completely in God’s promise to provide
- Her message to Christians: follow what Jesus himself taught — to worship the One God who sent him, not to worship Jesus himself
Why This Story Matters for Every Woman Seeking Truth
Rashida’s journey from Christianity to Islam proves that when women sincerely seek God with an open heart, He guides them in ways beyond human comprehension. Whether it is a 911 call rerouted by divine will or the inability to speak words that contradict pure monotheism, Allah’s signs are everywhere for those willing to see them. Her advice to anyone living in fear or doubt is simple and powerful: place your trust in God alone, seek authentic knowledge, and never let the misconceptions of others prevent you from discovering the beauty of Islam for yourself.
