From Muslim to Catholic: Islam Is the Heresy of Heresies (Ismail Youssef) | Ep. 518

Ismail Youssef, also known as Ish of Arabia, a former Muslim who left Islam to embrace Catholicism, rejecting what he sees as the contradictions, injustices, and oppressive teachings of Muhammad. Now, he dedicates his life to exposing the flaws of Islam and bringing the truth of Christianity to Muslims worldwide. Ismail produces hard-hitting videos that challenge Islamic doctrines and reveal the historical and theological problems within the faith. He is currently writing Thirst for a Life-Giving Water, a powerful account of his journey out of Islam and into the freedom of Christ. His work is a stand for truth, no matter the cost.

Youtube: @ishofarabia
Instagram: @ishofarabia

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00:00 Introduction
03:00 Growing Up as a Muslim
08:03 Family’s Commitment to Islam
12:23 Questioning Islam
25:30 Engaging with Other Religions
30:17 Questioning Muhammad
35:05 Reevaluating Muhammad’s Life
45:48 Unraveling the Truth of Islam
50:07 Aquinas’ Perspective on Muhammad
51:50 Departing from Islam
1:00:50 Parents’ Response to Leaving Islam
1:03:10 The Journey Toward Christianity
1:10:35 First Experience of the Mass
1:13:15 Discovering Prayer
1:17:40 Embracing Christianity
1:32:09 Leaving Everything Behind for Christ
1:38:40 Why Catholicism?
1:40:43 Why Muslims Are Converting to Christianity
1:46:16 Influencing Muslim Conversions
1:50:20 Advice for Muslims
1:55:04 The Qur'an's view of Jesus
2:01:06 Viewing Islam as a Heresy
2:04:50 Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?
2:11:16 What Islam Gets Right
2:13:20 How to Evangelize Muslims
2:15:15 Polygamy
2:15:50 Is Islam Inherently Violent
2:16:40 Misunderstandings Among Catholics About Islam
2:18:10 Is There a Sense of Sacramentality in Islam
2:19:39 Deciphering the Mystery of the Trinity
2:23:30 Lessons Catholics Can Learn from Muslim Devotion
2:30:30 Conclusion

[pintswithaquinas]

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[niloum]

I am also an ex muslim from Afghanistan living in Canada. I am getting baptized this Easter Vigil through the Catholic Church. It has been the best decision of my life. I truly feel the presence of the Lord since I accepted Christ into my life. I have seen all the darkness of Islam growing up as an Afghan Muslim. All we can do is continue to pray for our muslim brothers and sisters to come to our dear Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only truth🙏🏼 I got to this journey through dreams and visions when I had 0 knowledge of Jesus Christ at the time. Reading the word of God and being led by the Holy Spirit is what has brought me closer and closer to Christ. I love him so much🙏🏼🩷 please pray for my family, so that they too can come to the truth and have eternal life through our dear Lord, Jesus Christ.🩷🙏🏼

Edit: Thank you all for your love and support. It means the world🙏🏼🩷 love you guys! Christ be with you and your loved ones🩷🙏🏼

[SHLD]

Ex Muslim from Syria, Roman Catholic. Jesus is converting us one by one ✝️

[zeeejuice]

I was a hardcore atheist for most of my life and converted to Catholicism. If I were to tell that to my younger self, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s been the best decision of my life.

[lounaannajung]

Ex muslim from Algeria 🇩🇿 was baptized Orthodox last December ❤

[daughterofMary]

Pray for Ismail's guardian angel to protect him

[mooniejunie]

I’m a former Satanist who will become a Catholic at Easter Vigil. Ismail talking about dreams validated me. I’ve been scared to tell my testimony to anyone in the parish. Even our Priest. For months I’ve been dancing around the topic, giving more palatable answers. I’m scared of being seen as crazy. Which has lead me to feel like an imposter. For weeks I’ve been praying to God about it. Asking him to give me a sign to open up. This is what I needed. Just hearing that and typing this, my stomach feels warm. I see now though, God wants me to tell my story. To show people how he works through us. From now on when people ask me, I’ll speak from my heart. Thank you, Ismail for your beautiful story. You’re truly a courageous and one of kind guy. I’ll be praying for you. 💚

[jameshutchinson]

I’m an ex Muslim too. Nearly 25 years Catholic now and I thank God for it. Praise be to Lord Jesus Christ.

[ahmedchardi]

Exmuslim from Morocco 🇲🇦 baptized Greek orthodox two years ago

[Amarachukwu]

Ex Muslim here, had several encounters with Jesus. I first dreamed of him on the cross in 2020. Completely blew out my previous religious views. Dreamed of him again end of 2024 and devoted my life to him since. Thank you Jesus for finding me in my darkest of days. ❤ - Amira R.

[akirahojo]

Prayers for our Coptic brethrens, specially those who are still in Egypt. Their apostolic line goes back to St Mark, may God’s mercy protect them from persecution.

[mamaveeYT]

My husband is previously Muslim, after 7 years of civil marriage he converted to Catholicism ❤ He now prays the rosary too. Thank you Holy Triune God for calling my husband back to the true church. We are also now married in the Catholic church. Thank you Mama Mary for being a mother to us during our worst time of marriage.

[YesouAlMasih]

Amazing story. I was also a Muslim, left over a year ago, and now I’ll be getting baptised and confirmed into the Catholic Church this Easter Vigil

Thank you for all the welcomes God bless everyone of you guys

[yasmeenkhan]

I am a former Muslim, now Christian, and everything he is saying is true! Glory to God! 🎉 God bless

[AdamSeekerUrdu]

Exmuslim from Pakistan
Now baptized in Christ - this is an awesome testimony and life of Muhammad in 2 hours

[gioassaf]

ex muslim as well, converted to Christianity and became a Maronite Catholic

I pray that God, in His boundless mercy, illuminates the path for my enemies, that their hearts may turn from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth. May the veil of lies and heresy be lifted, and may they find refuge in the embrace of His grace.

To those who have shared their journey from Islam to Christianity, I pray for you with all my heart. May God bless you abundantly and extend His divine guidance to your families, just as He has guided you.

And to our brothers and sisters born in the faith, may His blessings be upon you and your loved ones. May He draw you ever closer, strengthen your faith, and grant you the eternal joy of His Kingdom.

In His love, in His truth, in His everlasting light—may we all abide forever. Amen 🖤

[ChristopherCircelli]

Former Muslims are some of the best Christians ! Welcome brothers and sisters !

[monayq]

Ex muslim, now Catholic ❤

Edit: you guys are so sweet 🥹 thank you for all the kind words. If I have time I'll try share why I left. Should I send my more personal testimony, or a brief overview of why I left and the theological/historical reasoning behind it?
Sorry I haven't replied. I'll try send it today 🫶🏼

[Eliash]

Ex atheist, now christian and waiting for holy spirit to show me the path, to either go catholic or orthodox. I can't get baptized in my own country Iran, please pray for me because I desperately need to get baptized...

I have a long story to tell, but to summarize it, I had nothing but hate. He gave me a new life, and now all I want is to become a priest/monk and leave everything behind for him.

If anyone would like to talk please reply in comments

[sleeplesshead]

Ex muslim and convert catholic. I understand very well regarding safety, plus the fact that I am a woman which is more fucked up especially since I took off my hijab. Constant humiliation. After conversion, of course my family abandoned me and they no longer see me as their child. Aside from that, my safety is also the bigger concern which resulted myself to seek a safer place to live. I used to live in Indonesia and now in europe. Dear Ismael, please stay safe. I wish you are surrounded by good community in the church. You are not alone in this.


*edit: I can't thank everyone enough for the warm comments. I choose openly the word to describe my situation fully aware. Idk how to describe in one frustrated word. I was also suicidal bcause of this decision to carry the cross. It's hella tough & my family's friends constantly looking for my online presence to just blackmail me. I feel numb at some point. This online community by staying anonymous has been a tremendous oasis to my journey. Just like Simon carries the cross with Jesus. Thank you for leaving kind comment everyone. God bless you and Matt Fradd ❤