Should you share the Bible with Muslims?
Should you share the Bible with Muslims?
“One thing you should never do is give Muslims a Bible.”
I was stunned as I overheard this hallway conversation at a conference. The well-meaning Christian leader continued. “Can you believe that a Christian actually gave a Chinese Muslim International Student a Bible? How could she ever understand it?” Then he shook his head in disapproval.
Why should you and I share the Bible with Muslims?
Quite simply, God’s Word is instrumental in coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Over the last decade, we’ve personally heard or read thousands of testimonies of Christians from Muslim backgrounds. Almost all of them studied some portion of the Bible before becoming Believers.
Sharing the Bible with your Muslim friend, in whatever format or language is best suited for them can be one of the most fruitful things you can do. That’s why it’s one of five essentials every Christian should know and do with Muslims.
“Almost 100% of Muslims observed, who accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, did so after reading, viewing or listening to a portion of the Bible.” Renod Bejjani
I’d love to share the story of former Muslim woman who is an inspiring member of the iHOPE community. She busts the myth that sharing the Bible with Muslims is inappropriate. As you read her story, note the important role the Bible played in her coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
Here is Esther’s* Story
I grew up in Albania as a Muslim. My country had been under communism for 45 years (1945-1990) where freedom of religion was prohibited. It’s interesting to note that Albania used to be a Christian country (Catholics in the North, Orthodox in the South) 500 years ago before the Ottoman Empire.
When Albania became a democratic country in 1990, many missionaries came to spread the word of God in my country. I was in the eighth grade when Jehovah’s witnesses knocked on my door and asked me if I wanted to be saved. I asked them kindly what that meant. They told me about God, the Jehovah and Jesus Christ. They gave me a Bible and several Watchtower magazines. I really wanted to believe in God, yet I was so confused and perplexed by so many religions and pathways to heaven.
In the fall, I went to an all-girls boarding school in the capital city of Tirana, a few hours from my hometown. The school was operated by a Turkish Muslim 
company that claimed to focus purely on academics. Yet during my 4-year tenure at the school, I felt the school’s objective was to indirectly spread Islam.
While there, I met a sweet Christian friend who asked me if I knew God. She smirked at me when I confided to her that I was a Jehovah’s witness. She urged me to read the Bible carefully, and that God would reveal Himself to me. In that Turkish Muslim school, I quietly snuck reading the Bible with so much love, hunger and thirst to prove to her that she was wrong, and that I was on the right path to God. While reading, I fell in love with the Word and the Lord Jesus met me right where I was.
It was just the two of us – Jesus and me – no outside influence – as I studied the Word. I gave my life to our precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and I was very hungry to grow in my faith and fellowship with other Believers. The Lord was working on my heart daily, yet I could not go to church in the weekend as I was on a Muslim campus and the school did not allow me. I wanted to be baptized immediately when I read the passages of baptism in the Bible. I wanted to follow all the Lord’s commands.”
Today, Esther is here glorifying His name and pointing others to Jesus. Imagine what her life might have been like had her friend had not encouraged her to study God’s Word.
God’s Word is Powerful
Friends, God’s Word penetrates the mind, heart, soul and spirit with living power. There can be no escape from the penetrating and searching power of the Word of God.
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews [4:12]
It’s a mistake to withhold the Bible from a Muslim. When God has prepared a heart like Esther’s, it’s best for you as God’s Ambassador to offer God’s word, and simply get out of the way. Be there as an ongoing friend, praying that the Holy Spirit will guide you with wisdom.
Remember that almost every Muslim who accepted Jesus did so by getting into the Bible, and typically for about a year or two. So simply offer one and help get them going on a journey toward eternal life.
Take Small Steps
To learn more about how to get your Muslim friend started on the journey to Jesus, we recommend the following resources:
- Read Chapter 9 in the book, Muslims: 5 Biblical Essentials Every Christian Must Know and Do
- Listen to this podcast, “Muslim International Student Finds Jesus.” Notice the role the Bible played in her finding Jesus.
- Take iHOPE’s free 5-week online Bible study called iHOPE Empowers.
- Get iHOPE’s weekly eNewsletter for more things to know and do.
“The more we plant the actual word of God with a Muslim, the simpler and more doable, more joyful and fruitful will be our work because we are planting the most powerful seed.” Renod Bejjani
Note: Ester’s name has been changed.
