Sheikh Muhammad shares his remarkable dawah experiences from Columbia, South Carolina — deep in the Bible Belt — including a surprise debate with a Christian evangelist, practical guidance for new Muslims facing family opposition, and a powerful explanation of why the Islamic concept of God is the most rational and consistent understanding of the Creator available to humanity.
Defending the Quran: A Surprise Debate in the Bible Belt
When a visiting evangelist gave a lecture at the University of South Carolina attacking the Quran and claiming Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fabricated it, Sheikh Muhammad challenged him to a public debate the very next day. The evangelist had claimed Muhammad learned the Quran through his travels, but could not explain how an unlettered man in 7th-century Arabia could have produced scientific information that does not even exist in the Bible. Nor could the Trinity withstand basic logical scrutiny.
“He tried to explain the Trinity using the analogy of an egg: it has the yolk, the white, and the shell, but it is still one egg. I simply asked him: which part do you eat? Everyone started laughing. Three different people in a family — if you shoot one, do the other two die? Logic does not accept this.” — Sheikh Muhammad
Advice for New Muslims Facing Family Pressure
- Understand that your family’s reaction often comes from fear fueled by media misinformation, not from genuine hatred — give them the benefit of the doubt
- Show the positive change Islam has brought to your life through your actions: more love, more respect, and more service to your family
- You do not need to shock your family all at once — the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced similar trials, and some were permitted to conceal their faith while keeping Islam firm in their hearts
- Be patient and steadfast — Allah rewards those who endure hardship for His sake, and your example will speak louder than any argument
“Allah — there is no deity worthy of worship other than Him, the Ever-Living, the Self-Sustaining. No slumber or sleep overtakes Him. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and the earth.” (Quran 2:255)
The foundation of Islam is knowing your Creator: He is One, Alone, and Unique. Nothing in creation resembles Him, and He needs nothing from anyone. Read the Quran sincerely, compare it with any other scripture, and use the senses God has given you. If you are sincere in seeking the truth, you will find it — and it will transform your life for the better, just as it has transformed millions throughout history.
