Customer Reviews

I Dared to Call Him Father: The True Story of a Woman's Encounter with God

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first read this book I couldn't stop reading it for I was caught up by the events that took place in Bilquis's life that would later bring her into the only faith that allowed her to call God "Father". Living in a Muslim country I dare confirm the persecutions faced by Bilquis in her book are true. We have the same persecutions happening at where I'm from. From using white Muslims as freaks to convice the potential "apostates" that even white "Christians" embrace Islam to issuing death threats in scaring the new converts to denounce their new found faith. It is not easy for a Muslim to convert to Christianity in a Muslim nation. They will lose everything (family, possesions, nationality, etc.) sometimes even their lives. The sad thing is most Muslims still believe that their faith is tolerant thus denying stories like Bilquis's as fiction. Therefore to convince these Muslims they should try and convert to Christianity and see what happens to them. Such stubborn ignorance prevents them from seeing the Truth thus it is a miracle for them to convert to Christianity. Stories like Bilquis's are an inspiration to us that God's miracles do happen. And yes I cried at every incident that brought her closer to calling God "Father". Romans 8: 14-17 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

John

The thing I hated about this book was that I was reading it inbetween breaks at work, and sometimes I had to put it down. It was gripping throughout, and though the writing might not be that of Chaucer or Dickins I give it 5 stars because it was so inspirational and encouraging. I want to be like her! "I Dared" describes the process of a Pakistani noble woman coming to a belief in Jesus as Lord, through dreams and reading the Bible on her own- though there is continual Christian community around her and involved with her. She describes aspects of Islam positively, such as the call of the mu'ezzein from the minarets, which she found comforting, as do I. But she also describes times when Islamic belief and Pakistani culture serve to hurt. She doesn't do this negatively, but simply mentions the facts that happened to her.

I was impressed, deeply, at how she was willing to be lead by God towards whatever He wanted. And not like she was a saint- she shares a process of learning to give up her rights in favor of God's. Particularly moving was the segment where she realizes the necessity of forgiving even her former husband, and how she goes from a place of, "No, I can't do that at all God." to "Yes, and if he came to my house today I would welcome him." I also enjoyed her detailing of the process by which she learned to hear God's voice. She wasn't hung up on a lot of regulations that had built up over the centuries in Christendom about what to do or not to do, how to be baptized or receive the Spirit, how you listen and what you must do or not do to avoid certain practices- she just listened and tried to obey. And at the times when she didn't obey, she relates with complete honesty how she learned through that.

I think this is the most stunning part of the book- the complete honesty. She doesn't try to make herself better or more important, as certain bios of great Christians in America might do. She just related what God had done, in taking a broken jar and remolding it. Her openness opens up the world of the Spirit.

This was one of the most inspiring books I have read in a very long time! It is so wonderful that one person can be so committed to doing what she knows is right, however wrong it may seem to others around her.

Bequilis becomes a very dedicated Christian, which is enough to make any Christian take a very long and hard look at whether they are indeed following God's will for their lives.

The fact that this is a true story made me very aware that our God is a living God who will guide and answer us in all we do and ask.

This story is very well told and is an excellent example of how one persons search for the truth beyond what they have experienced or been exposed to... Due to the unsatisfied, unfulfilled desire from within to really know her purpose here in life, Bilquis is prepared to shift her paradigm completely and see all things from a completely different perspective which then changes her position on many of the conditioned, taught things she was so used to. This book really is a truthful account of one womans search for fulfillment and a burning desire to come to that knowledge at whatever cost. It is a testament to perseverance and a right attitude which always bring the truly REAL result. If only more of the world had her attitude and committment to the meaningful things of life. Her desire to know her purpose and fulfill it carried her thru' to knowing and doing it!! Her experience also shows how when one is determined all things are possible to him/her who believes!!!!

This is a wonderful book! I admire the faith that Bilquis had at the time of the persecution she was facing. She stood on God's Word and remained faithful, thus she was made safe and blessed. Anyone involved in a ministry to Muslims should read this. It is also very inspiring to all Christians in keeping the faith and knowing that God still performs miracles, even today. Dare to call Him Father, remain faithful to His Word and see the life-changing miracles He will do in your life.

This story is remarkable because it shows how God reached out to one sincerely seeking God. In it the author details how she developed a personal relationship with God, how she learned to stay in God's presence and the tranformation that occured in her life.

I would love to pass on my copy to friends but can't because I have marked up the most meaninful passages. This book is a guide book. Don't get caught up in the gripping story and miss the wonderful lessons.

As a self-professed non-reader, I stayed up to 3AM just so I could finish the book! How amazing God is! It is a story of a woman - a Muslim by birth, with connection to high ranking Afghanistan officials and of upper class family connections - who one day came upon Jesus Christ in a dream which began her lifelong journey to seek the true God. Bilquis Sheikh risked everything - even her life and her love for her grandson Mahmud - to follow Christ. What was so hard to put down were the words that intricately described her emotional connection to God - something which practing Muslim must deny - and to have a personal relationship with Him. Her knowledge of the Quran and the Bible gave her an immeasurable platform which God used her even in the midst of death threats and personal sanctification. To be set apart for Christ was what she desired! I read the updated version of this book which gave some historical context to her life after she came to United States and the tragic murder of her beloved grandson Mahmud, who was defending a person from an "honor killing" (a practice where Muslims kill a family member because they became 'traitors' to the Islamic faith). The book is truly God-inspired, words in which gave me an encouraging view of my faith in Christ and how NOTHING is for my own and glory but that ALL THINGS ARE FOR CHRIST'S GLORY. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..." Philippians 4:13

This story is so wonderful! It is a joy to see how God is able to speak to a person so clearly--despite cultural obstacles to belief. This woman finds true faith in the Most High God. May many more Muslims find such faith and have the courage to embrace the truth to which God Himself leads them. Bilquis Sheikh has encouraged me to believe more strongly in what God can do and in who He is. She depicts what it means to trust and obey God as a father, even in the hostile environment a Muslim convert to Christianity faces.

Very easy to read, so it goes quickly. I felt so inspired
and long to feel God's Presence as Bilquis did. Too bad I didn't
read it years ago and then contact her!

This is an autobiographical book of the author ( A Muslim woman -
high class with a notable social position- mother of three kids, a grandmother who adopted her grandson as son) how Christ choose to reach her and how her whole life transformed by His touch. She is led to reread Koran in connection with her kid being treated for evil spirits by a mauli. She feels like reading earlier works to Koran; take a interest in Bible. In this period, she has a dream where she dines with Lord Jesus; When he vanishes, she finds someone whom she calls as John Baptist and asks him for guidance. Later she has an interesting a dream where a perfume saleman visits her and leaves a goldan jar of perfume on the table. When she gets up, she finds Bible at the place on the table. She meets a Chiristian missonaries couple and asks about John Baptist. Later She finds a specific passage in Bible where tha analogy of perfume and Good News is given. Now she is concevied that the dreams were from God. Once again, she is forced to visit hospital for her son's ear problem. There she meets a Christian Nun who manages the hospital. When the author expresses her confusion between Muslim belief and Christian belief, she is suggested to pray to God as father. This is the turning point. [ The book is titled on this aspect].She reminds about how her father cared for her. She dares to call God as Father. She is lead to pray for Holy Spirit and gets it. Later she is guided to take Baptism in her bath tub. She also takes traditional baptism.
Now her relatives boycot her. But she stands witness to Christ with boldness. Here one understands the rich man's problem in Bible; She has to forego her social position, security, and respect. She also has to risk losing her son. She puts Christ above anything.
Later her whole life changes. She also finds strength to forgive her husband; She acts as a medium for her relatives in crisis to taste the PEACE Given by Lord JESUS. Later she is invited to a Bill Graham's meeting in Singapore. This shows that she becomes the tool in God's hands.
Changed poticial conditions in Paktisan promotes her to visit USA for a four month tour arranged by Christian friends. Later She is forced to settle in U.S.A. She becomes an active Lord's witness in U.S.A.
I have read the book many times. Easy to read. Not a theological book; The message is is simple:

Dare to call GOD as your father.