In this blog post I bring to you the story of an ex-Muslim which stands as a testament to the power of an open mind and heart.

Jalal, a former Shia Ismaili Muslim and junior imam, shares his remarkable story in a heartfelt [YouTube interview](https://www.youtube.com/live/ejJHrCa1Q2I?si=7IXPvuiC-TK6yEzw) hosted by Muhammad Faridi on the channel "Forsaking My Father's Religion." It's quite long but also very powerful, which is why I want to share it with our audience through this blog post. You can decide to listen to the whole thing if you want to.

Back to Jalal's story.

In brief, what began as years of unanswered prayers to Allah culminated in a miraculous healing through Jesus, leading Jalal to embrace Christianity.

As Jalal emphasizes, anyone with a sincere, open mind and heart can connect with the true God, no matter their religious background or even if they have none at all.

Roots in Faith and Struggle: Jalal's Early Life

Jalal was born in France to immigrant parents from Madagascar, with deep roots in the Shia Ismaili branch of Islam, influenced by Indian culture and traditions. The Ismailis follow a living spiritual leader, the Aga Khan, whom they view as a mediator between humans and God--echoing titles like "Elder Master" or "Lord." Growing up in a small French village, Jalal's family practiced their faith modestly, praying at home on Fridays and attending the mosque in Paris only for major events.

From birth, Jalal faced physical challenges: he was 50% deaf in each ear, relying on lip-reading and later abandoning bulky hearing aids out of embarrassment. Despite excelling in school and languages (he now speaks six), and even playing professional rugby, a severe back injury--a slipped disc--derailed his life. Doctors warned he might end up in a wheelchair, unable to lift even a child. He endured constant pain, weekly physiotherapy, painkillers, and a supportive corset, limiting him to walking just three minutes at a time.

In 2001, Jalal moved with his parents to Reunion Island, a French territory near Madagascar known for its religious diversity and tolerance. There, he immersed himself in the Ismaili community, attending the mosque daily and becoming a junior imam for students. As a junior imam, he led ceremonies, including rituals where people gave money for forgiveness of sins or to aid the dead in reaching heaven. Jalal volunteered zealously, hoping his devotion would earn Allah's blessings, especially for healing his back. Yet, despite fervent prayers, nothing changed. As he later reflected, it felt like praying to a "deaf" God.

The Turning Point: A Challenge and a Miracle

Everything shifted when Jalal met Olivier, a Christian friend at university on Reunion Island. Olivier's joyful demeanor, selflessness, and unwavering faith stood out--he even trusted God to wake him without an alarm during exam weeks. Their discussions turned to religion: Jalal defended the Quran as truth, claiming the Bible was falsified, while Olivier countered that Jesus is God.

Olivier cut through the debate with practicality: "Jesus said you will know a tree by its fruits. Look at your life--you're sick, praying to Allah daily, but nothing happens. Maybe Allah is deaf."

Jalal couldn't argue; years of pleas had yielded no results.

Next, Olivier invited him home, where he and his mother laid hands on Jalal's back and prayed in Jesus' name. Instantly, the pain vanished. Jalal could run, lift weights, and even resume rugby. "This Jesus is powerful," he thought. "He showed me something in minutes that Allah couldn't do for years."

Excited, Jalal shared the news with his parents, suggesting Jesus might be "a way." His devout father reacted furiously: "If you blaspheme our religion, get out--you're no longer my son." Heartbroken, Jalal cried all night, grateful to Jesus but unable to choose Him over family at 21. Yet, the healing lifted a "veil" from his eyes. Continuing mosque attendance, he now questioned practices like paying for forgiveness or aiding the dead--rituals that seemed illogical and unfair, favoring the wealthy.

The Journey to Conversion: Wrestling with Truth

Jalal spent weekends with Olivier's welcoming Christian family, who treated him like a son. They discussed the Bible and shared transformative books, including I Dared to Call Him Father by Bilquis Sheikh, an ex-Muslim's story of finding a relational God. Another key read was by Dr. Mark Gabriel, a former Al-Azhar professor, who urged comparing founders and scriptures: Muhammad's life of violence versus Jesus' sinless miracles, virgin birth, and title as "Messiah" (mentioned 11 times in the Quran, per Surat 4:171 and others).

Jalal grappled with contradictions: Why does the Quran elevate Jesus as the Spirit of God, seated at God's right hand, returning as Messiah--titles Muhammad lacks? Why pilgrimage to Mecca if it's unaffordable for the poor, making Allah seem like a "God of the rich"? Why predestination if deeds are weighed, leaving no certainty of heaven? And shockingly, lying to deny faith under persecution isn't a sin in Islam.

Death loomed large for Jalal--he needed assurance of eternity. Islam's scale of good vs. bad deeds offered none; even devout Muslims admitted uncertainty. Christianity's grace--salvation through faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10)--freed him from burdens. "It's too easy, too good to be true," he thought, but it brought peace: to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob everyone is equal, no 'works' are required.

After years away from his parents in Mozambique for humanitarian work, Jalal, at 25-26, surrendered to God in a church: "Either Jesus is who He says, or he is the biggest liar." He chose faith.

A Life Transformed: Family Reconciliation and Ministry

Jalal hid his conversion initially, even marrying without inviting his parents to the church wedding. But conviction grew; he and his wife prayed for his father's heart. When Jalal revealed his faith, his dad supernaturally responded: "If you think Jesus is the way, we want you happy." A year later, his father, diagnosed with cancer, accepted prayer in Jesus' name, confessing Him as God's Son. Tests showed no trace of cancer--another miracle experienced by this family.

At Charis Bible College (where he met host Muhammad Faridi), Jalal was healed of lifelong deafness by minister Curry Blake. On mission trips, he prayed for 11 deaf people--all healed, earning the nickname "Ear Man." Now working with the United Nations, Jalal disciples others and prays for the healing of the sick (including for a man with terminal TB/HIV who saw an angel before prayer). Jalal urges: Demonstrate Jesus' power--don't just debate.

The Timeless Message: Open Hearts Find God

Jalal's story echoes a universal truth: God responds to sincere seekers. He wasn't coerced; his open heart allowed Jesus to reveal Himself. As Jalal challenges, "Ask God: 'If You exist, what's Your name? Are You Allah, Buddha, Shiva, or Jesus? Show me.'" The Bible promises: Seek, and you'll find (Matthew 7:7). Regardless of faith--or none--if you approach with humility, God will bridge the gap.

Jalal went from being branded as a junior imam to a healer in Christ's name, proving faith isn't about religion but relationship. Watch the full interview for inspiration: [Former Muslim Imam Healed by Jesus](https://www.youtube.com/live/ejJHrCa1Q2I?si=rHCJCzss5C6DcajX).

From Deafness to Divine Encounter: A Former Imam's Path to Healing and Faith © 2025 by George Bakalov is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0