I Dared to Call Him Father: The Miraculous Story of a Muslim Woman's Encounter with God [Deluxe Edition] [Paperback]

Bilquis Sheikh (Author), Richard H. Schneider (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

I Dared to Call Him Father is the fascinating true story of Bilquis Sheikh, a prominent Muslim woman. Her unusual journey to a personal relationship with God turned her world upside down-and put her life in danger.
Originally published in 1978, the book has sold 300,000 copies and is a classic in Muslim evangelism. The 25th anniversary edition includes an afterword by a missionary friend of Bilquis who plays a prominent role in the story and an appendix on how the East enriches the West.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''I Dared to Call Him Father is a fascinating autobiography that challenged me in my walk with God. How many of us would be true to our faith if we knew that embracing Christianity could be our death sentence?'' --Mary Ann Littrell, Christian Librarian --This text refers to the MP3 CD edition.

From the Back Cover

How do I give myself to God completely?

What happens when I do?

I Dared to Call Him Father is a book for everyone who has ever asked these questions.

It is the fascinating true story of Bilquis Sheikh, a prominent Muslim woman in South Asia who faced these questions at the crossroads of her life-and found the astonishing answers.

Her entire life turned upside down as a series of strange dreams launched her on a quest that would forever consume her heart, mind and soul.

This 25th anniversary edition contains a new afterword by a Western friend of Bilquis and a new appendix on how the East enriches the West.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Chosen Books; Anniversary edition (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800793242
• ISBN-13: 978-0800793241
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Islam
  • #58 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Evangelism

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 87 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't miss this one December 3, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This book -- a true-life story -- is a page-turner. Very well done as a born-again story, and has the marks of authenticity. Eventually the author got connected with the Billy Graham ministry and had to leave Pakistan. It's a book to read and give to a friend. This new edition (I read the old edition 20 years ago) has an update epilogue and a couple of fascinating appendixes. Don't miss it.

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars True Account of a Muslim Woman Coming to Christ February 13, 2007

By Andrew R. Allen

Format:Paperback

Bilquis Sheikh was a traditional Muslim woman living in Pakistan during the 1960s. At the age of 52, after discontent with life she began examining the Koran in more depth to try to find greater purpose and hope for life. During her search, she noticed the prophet Jesus mentioned within the Koran and thought perhaps reading more on his teachings would be interesting.

As one who came from a well respected and wealthy family, she had many resources and servants at her beckon. She instructed one of the servants to obtain a Bible for her and began to read it. Though it was in a difficult to understand version of the Urdu language, she became intrigued and had a couple dreams relating to John the Baptist and Jesus. She had not read about John prior to her dreams. The dreams struct her so vividly that she had to learn more and so cautiously approached a local Christian missionary.

Over the next weeks and months, God revealed to her that the Jesus of the Bible was the true message of hope for life. She struggled tremendously with the decision to follow this Jesus of an aberrant religion and the implications of intense persecution/ostracization that she would experience if turning to Christ. However, she was continuously brought back to being at peace when dwelling on the things of the Bible and when she talked with God as if He were her father. She eventually surrendered to God and placed her full faith in Him and the promises of the Bible.

The resulting persecution was very real both emotionally, materially, and socially. However, God grew her faith and continuously taught her and utilized her testimony for His glory throughout the rest of her life. This book provides good insight into Muslim society and the meaning of accepting Christ in that society. Not only is it a good read but also a true story.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will make you cry ... for joy. June 19, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

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