Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Farhan Qureshi Renounces Islam

Farhan Qureshi was raised as an Ahmadi Muslim, but later became an orthodox Muslim. (Ahmadis believe in all five pillars and all six articles of faith of Sunni Islam, but they have some different beliefs about end times. Unfortunately, their unorthodox eschatological views have led to worldwide persecution at the hands of their more orthodox counterparts.)

Sam, Nabeel, James, and I have had a number of public debates with Farhan on the Deity of Christ, the inspiration of the Qur'an, the prophethood of Muhammad, and other topics (click here to watch some of our debates with Farhan). Farhan was once a member of the infamous Muslim Debate Initiative (which seems to be crumbling). The general consensus of those of us who knew Farhan was this: "It's only a matter of time before Farhan leaves Islam. He's too good a guy to keep defending these teachings."

Recently, Farhan circulated a letter declaring his apostasy. I didn't post the letter or announce his decision, since I wasn't sure he wanted this information to go public. However, Farhan has now quite publicly proclaimed his apostasy. Here's the announcement posted on Faith Freedom:

After years of having been involved in think tanks, advocacy groups, da’wah (invitation or propagation) initiatives and academic apologetics as a Muslim, I have I decided to evolve my perspective of reality and existence as knowledge has reached me and renounce my faith in Islam. This was a thought out decision that took months of prayer, consideration, evaluation and knowledge-seeking on my part. Every bit as it has been a search for meaning and truth is has been a grieving process for me to realize that what I have been attached to all of these years is in fact not the ultimate reality behind our existence. Nevertheless it is simultaneously liberation and continued enlightenment that brings about serenity and peace of mind for me as well.

My apostasy has not been based on disliking Islam or its requirements rather it was based on a realization that Islam is in direct contradiction with contemporary knowledge involving and including science, philosophy, ethics, anthropology, and the field which I am most interested in, educated in and practice as my line of work, namely, psychology: the science and study of human behavior.

In the coming months I plan to contribute articles to FFI which explore the behavior and psyche of the different types of Muslims out there: the western Muslim, the mystic (Sufi), the purist (Salafi), and the politically driven (Hizb/Ikhwan) are among the many colors of the Ummah, each having its own set of advocates with unique behaviors and mentality. I have spent time and energy studying and experiencing the different denominations and sub-cultures within the Ummah. Having experienced their spirituality and religiosity first hand, having studied with their scholars and preachers, and having read books, articles and arguments from them, I believe that I have a grasp of where they stand psychologically and I plan to explore this more in-depth in the near future as I publish articles.

I realized that 1400 years worth of consistent Islamiyya theology is not what I believed was the ultimate truth, rather I realized that it was a primitive attempt at understanding and implementing social, spiritual, religious and ethical standards. These seventh century standards might give slight insight into how humanity, and in this case, Arab civilization was evolving and progressing from its previous ‘jahiliyya’ or ignorance, and yet effectively became stagnant with its own set of conservative traditionalism that would not allow Arab civilization to move forward. The only attempts at progression were the rationalist Mu’tazilites of the eight century which gave rise to what many observe as the Golden Age of Islam. Yet these rationalists were viewed as heretics and apostates themselves and would become extinct by the thirteenth century. Instead dogmatic traditionalism or Sunnah would thrive in the Muslim world and the European Renaissance with its progressive attitude would pick up where the all but extinct Middle Eastern rationalists left off.

Perhaps the most important realization I have come to is that I would receive the death penalty under Shariah law for simply coming to these conclusions or realizations. This disturbs me to the core and demonstrates how the Ummah uses fear tactics under its Shariah system in order to preserve and strengthen their theological and political agenda. What I am grateful for however is the opportunity to witness the evolution of humanity where we no longer are restricted by primitive forms of theology and law and yet we continue to strive for integrity, honesty, humility, character development, and moral stability. There is a promising future for our species and not a dark one as theologians are attempting to brainwash their adherents with.

As a Muslim apologist I remember debating at numerous types of venues including Mosques, Churches, Universities, Convention Halls and Libraries. Having engaged with notable Christian apologists such as Dr. James White, Dr. Tony Costa and Professor David Wood I learned that the purpose of apologetics was not confrontation rather to come to an understanding of truth even if it meant evolving one’s own perspective. The idea of receiving an apparent truth is to embrace it, not fight it. The moment we try to fight an apparent truth or reality we begin to dwell in hypocrisy: understanding that something is apparently true and yet denying it for selfish reasons or attachment to preconceived notions. I want to thank Ali Sina for giving me the platform to explore Islam and to expose its primitive nature as incompatible with contemporary reality unless and until Muslims choose to reform it. (Source)

56 comments:

Jabari said...

David, Tell me Farhan is now following Jesus Christ. I will be even more excited if you say that he is.

Anonymous said...

We need to coninue to prayer for a frined Farhan. I have always liked him and hope that the Lord God will shine the light of the Gospel into his heart.

Leaving Islam is a good things for Farhan but he is sill lost and without Christ.

Farhan if read this let me say true knowledge and revelation is found in Jesus Christ.

ogunitracy said...

I'm so happy, I could cry. Congratulations Farhan!

armand said...

This is dreamliner787 from paltalk, another apostate of Islam and a Christian. I can affirm the validity and authenticity of this article as few days ago Farhan personally told me that he left Islam. Even though he is not a christian, I feel glad that many people nowadays are finally reading the Quran and realizing how filthy, barbaric and false Islam really is. God bless him and draw him towards Him. Amen

Haecceitas said...

Jabari,

I'm pretty sure that David would have made it more clear if Farhan had converted to Christianity, so in all likelihood, he hasn't.

I wouldn't be surprised if he will convert to Christianity at some later time but since he seemed to leave Islam because of the problems he found there (rather than because he found something better) it is not surprising if it will take him a while to take the next step and embrace another faith (hopefully Christianity).

Just like Bartimaeus, I too have always liked what I've seen of Farhan in debates.

Sophie said...

This is off topic but anyone who wishes to send a card of sympathy and support to Shahbaz Bhatti's family can send it through the charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide, at PO Box 99, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3YF. That's if you're British (or you're not British and you don't mind sending a card to Pakistan via the UK). Shahbaz Bhatti is, of course, the Pakistani minister for minorities who was shot and killed for opposing Pakistan's blasphemy laws:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTBqUJomRE

Deleting said...

I've only seen Farhan debate Tony costa on ABN but he was by far extremely respectful and polite. You realy don't see that from a lot of debaters from Islam these days.
Lots of prayer for you Farhan.

Luke Olson said...

Praise the Lord! This is the work of the Holy Spirit. Who else assists in the unworking of evil, who else breaks the bonds of darkness. He may be floating at sea, drifting right now, but he will realize who uncovered his eyes in the first place. Pray for dreams!

Deleting said...

wow...didn't realize updates came that fast.....
I can understand what Farhan's talking about as far as looking at it from a psychological standpoint. I didn't have his experience with islam and I wasn't raised in it but i went a long time without understanding the basic tenants of christian faith. I didn't even know who Jesus was!!! I had probably a thousand different heresies all at once...adoptionism just one of them. *cring*
But for the longest time I wondered how in the world I got the beliefs I got. I know that's not what Farhan is questioning but you always want to backtrack sometimes and realize where did you go soo off track. He probably wants to that with islam. I wonder what the other members of muslim debate intitive are doing right now about this since Farhan was one of the more respected debaters.

Brother C.L said...

I hate to be the different one, but until he submits to Christ he just left one disbelieving ideology to follow another disbelieving ideology, hopefully this is just one step in his ongoing evolution and he will come to the Master in Jesus Name. If he has renounced the whole concept of God along with Islam this may not be a good thing at all, everyone should make sure they include him in their prayers and bring him and his family before the Lord.

CL Edwards

armand said...

The following is a comment We at PYEM Ministry Inc. have received immediately after posting Farhan's testimony on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pyemministryinc

"If Farhan had known true Islam,he will not say that a Divine religion is in "contradiction with contemporary knowledge involving & including science ,philosophy,ethics ,anthropology & psychology."
Mr.Farhan must have busy himself studying muslim sect instead of ISLAM as a religion ,knowing it from Quran & the Sunnah.
You show your self as either a munafiq or a jahil calling "Mutazilites "as "golden age of ISLAM"Yes ! They were heretics because of the corruption of some Quranic verse & the distortion of some Sunnah.And their refusal of repentance.

I pray to have an opportunity to read the book you intends to write.

Islam has been coming since the time of Adams (AS)"And who turns away from the religion of Abraham except him who fools him self.Truly ,We chose him in this world & verily ,in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous."(Q.2:130)"Allah has ordained for you the same religion which He ordained for Noah,& that which We have revealed to you & that which We ordained for Abraham ,Moses & Jesus..."(Q.42:13)
So in your dreams, or mind delusion do you see Islam as coming to an end?some of your friends in error are happy that just as communism
Comes to an end so will Islam,an ordain religion from the All-Knowing,Ever-Living.Remember the Quran tells us "This Day ,We shall seal up their mouth & their hands will speak to Us & their legs will bear witness to what they used to earn."(Q.36:65)
Mankind , Jinn & satan all have Freewill.Mr.Satan had exercised his Freewill long time ago.
Mankind has the choice of repentance before death."NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION."(Q.2:256) "

AB said...

I always liked farhan !

Nice .... hope he finds Christ!!

characterbuilder said...

After reading Farhan's announcement it left me wondering if he believes he will find "salvation" in psychology.

It appears to me he is leaving Islam for psychology.

Zack said...

Praise the Lord for the opening the eyes of Farhan and guiding him through the truth of the communities/sects of Islam, which led him to his conclusion of apostasy.

I pray that God will continue to guide him and I pray Farhan will continue to be susceptible to the prompting of God and ultimately come home with Jesus! Hallelujah! Amen!

Mehdi said...

I watched the debate between him and David. Like all other Muslims Farhan was in denial what logic and references David brought in. I was wondering why Farhan and other Muslims deny their own documents. My question was why these Muslims don't use their brain? I know why. They've only one head on their neck and it would be chopped. Finally, Farhan used his brain. I'm glad.

Van Grungy said...

Careful, don't get bamboozled ...

'son of hamas' tried already.. keep observing..

Unknown said...

so freaking awesome... goood job guys!, hard work is starting to pay off more and more!

Jinu said...

Praise God :)

minoria said...

I read it first in Ali Sina's website.And he will write articles for faithfreedom.I really,honestly never thought he would leave Islam but here it is.At first I thought it was a joke.
I hope Basam Zawadi,Paul Williams and Osama Abdallah,Yahya Snow are next.

Fisher said...

I read it first in Ali Sina's website.And he will write articles for faithfreedom.I really,honestly never thought he would leave Islam but here it is.At first I thought it was a joke.
I hope Basam Zawadi,Paul Williams and Osama Abdallah,Yahya Snow are next.


I share the sentiments exactly. It would be nice if these Islamic apologists realized that the socio-religious ideology they are attempting to defend is indefensible.

It would be even nicer if they also realized that Christianity is Gospel truth (no pun intended), that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and that nobody can come to the Father apart from Him.

Fisher said...

As an additional note, I would like to say that Farhan has always sounded like a rationalist/humanist when I listen to him. I guess he is just taking that tendency to its logical conclusion now...

iheartxfce said...

I <3 Arabic Christians. You know that you are not alone. God is in control!

iheartxfce said...

Praise God. I love Arab Christians. I hope and pray that God grants my brother-in-law saving Faith and repentance. He is Muslim.

Mr Sanity said...

It takes a lot of bravery to break the indoctrination of having been brought up within any religion, especially one as soul-crushing and fear driven as Islam. He will now sadly be looking over his shoulder for some time to come waiting for some inevitable loon to come and enact "justice"

Eddie said...

Farhan, you have taken a very brave step in the right direction. However, I fear for your life now. The ideology you want to leave behind is not known for tolerance, especially towards anyone vilifying their way. I can't imagine the pain and anguish you have gone thru to reach this decision. It was very easy for me. But I am not going to be pursued by a psychotic mob wanting me dead. I wish you well.

Unknown said...

Why should he have to believe in anything as an alternative.

Why can't he just be a good human being. Many of the comments here show me that so many people just have an agenda to push.

Just be a good person, you don't need God/Allah/(insert deity here)to be that.

Isaac said...

I first saw him debating Sam Shamoun, I guess on Trinity with a flowing dress. I wondered from that time-on, as to what a gentle soul like him is doing in Islam!!! Throughout I found him displaying excellent demeanor, polite, scholarly and never once showed aggression like many others from Islam. May God direct him and use him for his glory.
Isaac

Haecceitas said...

Paul, it seems that you also have an agenda, namely the agenda of proclaiming that one doesn't need to be part of any religion to be a good person.

So why are you objecting to other people's agendas?

betwixt said...

Our prayers are with you, Farhan. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your journey toward Jesus Christ. Be safe. Be blessed.

Fernando said...

I woulde bee bery glad if he became a Christian, butt I'm already very glad thate he left islam... I'll be praying for him and his family...

goethechosemercy said...

((((Farhan))))!!!
God bless and protect Farhan, today, tomorrow and forever.
I would have said the same prayer when Farhan was adherent to Islam, but it would have meant little to him or to those who sincerely love him.

joanmicheal97 said...

The question on my lips is 'is he leaving Islam for christianity or for Psychology?'..i'd be glad if at d end,he accepts christ as his one and only true saviour.

Mr Sanity said...

It would be most helpful if the bickering between us Atheists and the Christians that invariably appears when Islam is the topic. We are facing a common enemy who is happy to emulate the "prophet" in exacting a divide and conquer strategy, arguing amongst ourselves only furthers the islamic agenda. Christianity, whilst still not perfect from an atheist mind, is a whole lot of a better choice to live with than islam. Even Fred Phelps et al are a better choice than Mohammed's mob.

Hiwot said...

Farhan, I am so glad for you and I pray that you find the true peace in Jesus... May God bless you richly.

BLT31 said...

Christiane Amanpour has been exposed and it now shows why she is so biased on MSNBC. She is tied to George Soros and his money/propaganda machine. This violates the "Professional Journalists Ethical Code and yet ABC & MSNBC keeps her on the payroll or contract. Does this mean MSNBC has no Ethical Code either? One would think so!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/which-liberal-billionare-has-ties-to-over-30-news-outlets-george-soros/

TPaul said...

Farhan was one of my favourite 'Muslim' debaters. He is really a gentle person,not typical of Muslim apologists. I am so glad he renounced Islam, an ideology that is apprantly the opposite of his character. A peaceloving person cannot defend Islam and still maintain his/her integrity. You have to be a hypocrite in order to do both.
Congratulations Farhan. I hope your renouncement of Islam is a journey that will eventually lead you to Christ. Keep searching friend, the truth will indeed set you free.

Osama Abdallah said...

Two Good News:

1- I contacted brother Farhan via email and he replied back to me also via email. He assured me that he is a Muslim. The brother is currently healing.

2- Even prior to this and till now, I've been having very comforting feelings that I can't describe deep inside my body and heart when everytime I think of David Wood that David Wood will embrace Islam someday. David, keep researching Islam and you will realize one day that everything you're doing here against Allah Almighty is of no good for you and those whom you influence my friend. I hope my feelings about David Wood are genuine. It's been coming to me a lot. Honestly. Seriously, everytime I think about the guy, I get these very comforting feelings that he will live and die a Muslim. The same strange comforting feelings had been coming to me about Ali Sina and Sam Shamoun as well. I really pity all of you. You speak what you wouldn't normally speak because you're too blinded with hatered towards Islam. You are too far deep in darkness and ignorance.

May Allah Almighty guide you to Islam. Ameen.

Take care,
Osama Abdallah
www.answering-christianity.com

Deleting said...

Osama, the likelihood of jews and muslims sitting down together at a pig pickin' to work out differences over the gaza strip has a better chance of happening than David taking the Shahada. Call it a 'feeling'.

Zack said...

Is that so, Osama? haha

Joe Bradley said...

Osama Abdallah states:

"You speak what you wouldn't normally speak because you're too blinded with hatred towards Islam."

It is interesting that you assume that all rejection of Islam is based on hatred. Hence the fast-and-loose accusations, by Islam, of "Islamophobia", bigotry, racism . . . etal - ad infinitum - ad nauseum, in a feeble attempt to shame opposing viewpoints from manifesting themselves against the teachings of Islam. These tactics are typical of a last failed attempt to validate, as rational, the pervasive conflicts within Islam by ridiculing the messenger rather than dealing with the message. YOUR Quran says that the next step is to kill 'em all.

What kind of religion is that?

Crusader said...

This is truly an amazing news. Seekers are always finders.Somewhere in the early 1980's I was drawn to understand the Quran after having read it many times in Arabic. I decided to read it's translated version.After reading it over once I was excited to hunderstand 'Allah's word'. However the second time when I began reading it I realised this no divine message. As a student of literature, psychology, history, etc. I realised that this book is nothing but a nasty and cruel attempt by a mad war mongering despotic to create 'Terror' in the name of god. I went through a personal trauma when I was compelled to renounce ISLAM on the basis of logic, science, humanitarianism and ethics.
Farhan too is facing this. I wonder how intellectuals still allow themselves to be beguiled by this faith, or is there some sinister power that is controlling their minds?
Maybe someone couls enlighten me on this.
Crusader

Crusader said...

Interesting news. I can understand Farhan completely. In 1982 I began a study of Quran. After reading it once in the language I knew I was excited. Ofcourse I had read it in Arabic many times over without making head or tail of it. Later I began to contemplate on its teachings. Gradually I began to lean towards fanaticism. Then I read it a second time over and this time better reasomn prevailed and I realised that Quran is no word of the creator of this world. God or Allah caanot be so prejudiced and bigotted towards poor jews and christians. In Quran he hates mankind. He is ready to punish them and put then in eternal damnation and he has chosen the muslims to do his dirty work of slaying people on earth.
Come on how can you be pious and peace loving muslim as well as a hater of jews and christians at the same time?. That's hypocricy irked me and from that day onwards I renounced Islam.
I went ahead and id immense research on Islam and am proud that I had the good sense to renounce this religion that was founded by a war mongering, looting, jealous and a lying Arab.
Congarts Farhan, for being honest to yourself.
I am amazed that even intellectuals are beguiled by this religion, and then I can offer only one explanation that their mids are no more theirs. They have lost their free will ARE UNDER SOME KIND OF A POWERFUL AND SINISTER FORCE.
ALLAH ALONE CAN DELIVER THEM FROM THIS EVIL ENTITY.

Dk said...

Ah yes the age old question, what if everything David and Nabeel have done is not actually causing a holy spirit filled chrstian movement, but merely a critical thinking movement, which results in many Farhan's turning to the likes of Ali Sina, to this I say amen.

As usual Osama is so delusional he thinks that Farhan is still Muslim and David will become Muslim. This is what happens Osama, when you base your beliefs on feelings and wishful thinking which is all you have, and your "website" is so desperate and pathetic that "feelings" are all you have left to act on. How is one expected to "evolve" in life as Farhan has, when you cannot even evolve to the first state? Objectivity?

I have spoken with Farhan and the closest label to articulate his new position would be "Universalist Agnostic". Something a sensible, intelligent man like Farhan was bound to take. Psychology is a very powerful tool, glad you are losing one passion Farhan, but gaining another, psychology is truely fascinating and i'd be interested in a list of discrepancies, with Islam and Pyschology if you're willing and able. All the best.

welem Novi said...

thx God !!! Congratulations Farhan !

נשמה said...

Jadon - I hope you aren't referring to Farhan with that comment. You do realize that he's not Arab, right? Not everyone who is/was Muslim is Arab...

JesusAboveALL said...

This is wonderful news!

Farhan, I read your declaration also at FFI, and decided to register, yesterday, so I can get involved.

Today, the site seems to be "down" :-(

I hope it resumes soon.

I did get one of its pages to open this morning, but I had no time to do much; I had to head to work. IIRC, that page looked re-designed, so I will assume that the website owner is doing some renovations.

I am so pleased that you broke free of Islam. What an achievement!!!

I hope you investigate the Bible as a source of info about Christ, and keep in touch with Christians.

But I do ask everybody (very humbly, as I am "brand new" here) to avoid putting any pressure on you, Farhan! I reckon that you need, and deserve, some space and time to rethink your life, without people telling you what to do all the time. Getting involved with any cause, or faith, is a HUGE step, and you are still recovering from Islam.

The concept of "stress points" is just pop psychology, but I reckon it has uses. Such a huge step is enough "stress" for a while.

So this is just a friendly "wave" from Australia.

Unknown said...

LOL!!! You christians are pathetic. It is the very same GOD in the Bible that gave his divine inspirations for Islam. IS it that Cruel that bible. I , wouldnt blame Islam and the moslems for their behaviour towards society today. IT is the Bible, the source of all worldly evils and a living word of HEll that gave a breath of life to the ruckus in humanity today.

Zack said...

Proverbs 29:9, "If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."

carol_7 said...

Farhan Qureshi was on Paltalk today (22:3:12) and unfortunately he hasn't embraced the truth of Christ. He said that he has left Islam and has become a Buddhist and an agnostic.

Unknown said...

As a Qadiani/Ahmadi, Farhan stood for teachings which are in contradiction to the core beliefs of Islam, contrary to Islam's core book, the Qur'an itself. He was never a Muslim. As for his apostasy, I believe atheism is incredibly ignorant, but Farhan merely moved from one form of darkness to another form, never having experienced the light of Islam.

If you wish to celebrate the "conversion" of a "Muslim," please be aware that this is a straw man victory. :)

Peace be upon all sincere seekers of truth and may God guide us all.

David Wood said...

You need to check your facts. Farhan was raised as an Ahmadi, but he renounced the Ahmadi movement and converted to orthodox Islam. Then he spent several years debating non-Muslims. He eventually left Islam altogether. I know you want to live in the "no one ever leaves Islam" fantasy land, but you're just being silly.

Unknown said...

Bartimaeus said: "We need to coninue to prayer for a frined Farhan. I have always liked him and hope that the Lord God will shine the light of the Gospel into his heart.

Leaving Islam is a good things for Farhan but he is sill lost and without Christ.

Farhan if read this let me say true knowledge and revelation is found in Jesus Christ."

That”s true and look at this: www.beliefrevision.com/. God habe mercy on him!

Saqibtahir said...

"My apostasy has not been based on disliking Islam or its requirements rather it was based on a realization that Islam is in direct contradiction with contemporary knowledge involving and including science, philosophy, ethics, anthropology, and the field which I am most interested in, educated in and practice as my line of work, namely, psychology: the science and study of human behavior."

I hope he is not going to join any other religion including Christianity. All organized religions are out dated and irretional.

David Wood said...

Wow. A guy who can't spell "irrational" is telling us that all religions are irrational. We'd better listen!

Saqibtahir said...

You have a point Mr. Wood. :)
Sorry, I failed to use the divine spell check.

Islam inquirer said...

Free flow of info, immigration, education and more awarness will be the hammer that will deal islam a blow, big numbers of sheikh imams and educated muslims are leaving islam in large numbers leaving the semi illetrate and illetrate madrassa controlled muslims still in dream land of fake allah religion