Sultan was born in Kabul in 1881, moved to India to study Islam, and became involved in polemics against other religions. During his hajj to Mecca he started to reflect on eternal salvation and wether or not Islam could actually provide it. He reflected on the hadiiths where Muhammad says that he cannot save anyone at all, even through his intercession. Then he found the verse in Matthew where Jesus issues the great invitation: 'Come to me all you heavy-laden, and I will give you rest....' He accepted.
In 1903 he requested baptism, and eventually received the sacrament of Holy Orders in the Anglican Church.
More can be read about him in Called from Islam to Christ by Fr. Jean-Marie Gaudeul. Or, if you are particularly resourceful in terms of finding books: Why I Became a Christian which he himself wrote (Gospel Literature Service, Bombay: 1978).
His entire testimony can be read HERE.
6 comments:
Interesting!
He probably didn't read the verse where Jesus is reported to have cried out My Lord My Lord, why have you forsaken me. When Jesus couldn't save himself, how could he save "Rev Sultan Muhammad Paul"?.
Dear Shah,
You are quite right that Jesus, whom we Christians believe to be the Son of God, yelled out in torment these words...My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
And it is precisely because of this that he is in fact the savior of the world. And I do mean you savior, if you will allow him to be so.
In this moment Jesus is identifying totally with us, with humans, as a human being, experience the very reality of evil and the gravity of human sin. The God that we know is willing and able to become this close to us, to love us in such an intimate and humiliating way, and this is how he can also save us and make us his friends. And not only his friends--but his sons and daughters by adoption.
The glory of Jesus is that he could have 'saved himself' from the humiliation and pain of the Cross. But because of his love for people like me and you, he did not. He experienced in his heart a sense of distance from God the Father.
This is the greatest triumph. A sort of sublime triumph your prophet never knew, and would never understand, since he was a man of the sword.
A beautiful answer to a dishonest question. He wasn't like the prophet of Islam in anyway, but the superiority of Jesus Christ is that he died for the sins of Mohammed, too. And for all the world.
He willingly drank from this cup, even though he asked to have it taken from him.
We can't possibly understand how hard this must have been for him, yet we get a foretaste of it when we are persecuted.
Jewel, I agree that Abu gave a beautiful answer, but I would resist labeling Shahfaisal's question as dishonest. All scripture requires the illumination of the Holy Spirit for it to be understood correctly. Those who reject the truth about Christ and the Holy Spirit cannot help but be deceived. If Shahfaisal continues to seek the truth, then he will find it. As Jeremiah 29:13 promises, "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart."
Abu Daoud,
You’ve mentioned “Man of sword” as a compliment or insulting?
Because in our culture, men are supposed to carry the swords “weapons” to protect their families and their countries, what about your culture?
Don’t tell me you are been protected by your “Women of sword” or “children of sword” …
Of course I understand clearly what did you mean, and I am preparing an essay that I will show it to you later which I’ll name it as:
“Blessed is Your Hand that Carried the Sword”
But in the mean time, I invite you to read my last post:
“Why Islam is Different?” on
http://debatewithmuslim.blogspot.com/
That I am sure, inshalla, you’ll like it a lot..
Paul Muhammad Sultan had the courage to stand up for his beliefs. I admire him for this. It is sad that nowadays, many so-called Muslims hide their true beliefs due to repressive laws in Muslim countries.
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