This book is a memoir that reads like fiction. It was written by a young woman who converted to Christianity out of Islam. Rifqa Bary, whose full name is Fatima Rifqa Bary, is the 16 year old teenage girl who made headlines in 2009 because, in fear of being killed by her father in an "honor killing," ran away from her Ohio Muslim home and never returned to her Muslim family. She tells her story though there are still security concerns about her life and she lives in an undisclosed location. She structures her book like a fast-paced novel and all the highly dramatic events of her life make for highly riveting, spellbinding, sometimes intense reading. She dedicates the book to her little brother, who she had to leave behind when she fled her Muslim home. She begins her book with a Prologue that dramatizes the events leading up to her fleeing her Muslim home to save her life. Then she launches into the novel-like telling of her life. The book ends with discussion questions to make readers think about their own walks with Jesus. No ghostwriter was used in this memoir, which is often done in such memoirs.
I expected this book to be a high-drama and riveting book and it is. I was aware of Rifqa Bary's case when it made headlines at the time but I don't remember following it closely. I found myself being appalled at how this author's's Muslim parents treated her since the age of six, all based on their Muslim views on what constitutes the worth of a female. This author makes it clear that she has no desire to denigrate Islam or Muslims but this book fleshes out how repressive Islam can be if it is taken seriously. I was excited about getting this book for review as I have been closely following the reports of Muslim movements to the Person of Jesus Christ all over the world as He reveals Himself to many through dreams and visions. I was not surprised to read of the author's own experience with dreams and visions but I don't want to include spoilers. Despite this author's many trials and hardships in life, I could not feel sorry for her. Why? She clearly had a wonderful experience with the Person of Jesus Christ that had such an impact on her that she was willing to give up all things for this Jesus. While I applaud the phenomenon of dreams and visions to reveal the love of Jesus to Muslims, I wonder if there is a temptation to base their faith on heavenly dreams and visions rather than on the historical Scriptures. Though the author grew up in the United States for most of her life, she was free of the influence of consumerism, materialism, relativism and many of our other "isms" because of her solidly Muslim home. I feel a pang of envy for her because of this. I was relieved that she made it out alive and well as she fled her Muslim father's home to save her life. God revealed Himself to her in very personal ways, showing her His personal care for her. I feel a pang of envy for her here! I can make no claims to hearing audibly from God, having Him visit me through any dreams or visions, or supernatural healings. I have had to appreciate Him by naked faith. Many people badly need the message of this book and will relate to this author, whether for being survivors of abuse or Muslims. Like it or not, it seems that God is focusing His revelations and mighty miracles among people in the Muslim world and even in Muslim communities in the West. But this book, for its powerful and needed message and merit, is not without its issues. The main issue I see is her experience with supernatural healing from cancer. Now I believe that God is capable of healing and does heal today, especially in developing countries where there is limited access to medical care. I have no problem with healing of itself but it was the way this author tells us about her healing, failing to offer any disclaimer that her story is meant to be descriptive, not proscriptive. The issue is that other readers with chronic illnesses will think that to trust God and obey Him, that they too, like the author, can and should forgo medical treatments and "leave it in God's hands." God does not answer many prayers for physical healing and I feel that a disclaimer should have been included. But the author is young and also may be unaware of many trends in Western culture. Also, there is little theology in this book. Hopefully, readers who use treatments vital to their health and even lives, who read this book will exercise common sense and realize that the author is talking about herself and is not telling anyone else what to do. No, I do not envy her abusive past but all that she learned from it and her stunning security in God are to be envied!
I recommend this book for every Christian and every Muslim. So many followers of Jesus have prejudices and ignorance about Muslims. While this book is mostly about Rifqa Bary's own life and experiences, it offers people of faith a valuable glimpse into the Muslim world and into the life of one Muslim who converts to the Person of Jesus Christ and literally leaves all to follow Him. This book will cause you to examine the depth of your own relationship with Jesus if you are a follower of His. If you are a Muslim, please read this book! It was written primarily to show you that the heart of Jesus is wide open to Muslims and He is all you are looking for. Read it with an open mind and see if Jesus reveals Himself to you.
I received this book free of charge through Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.
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