"The more an individual takes their Islamic faith seriously, the more they become like Muhammad, and the more a Christian takes their faith more seriously, the more they become like Jesus. You just have to read their biographies and figure out what is the difference." Join us for a fascinating conversation with Ismail Youssef, a former Muslim turned Catholic Christian, as we explore the theological and practical differences between Islam and Christianity, and how to charitably witness to Muslims.

Our discussion explores:

• Ismail's viral appearance on Pints with Aquinas and how it transformed his life overnight
• Why questions about women's rights and human dignity first led Ismail to question Islam
• The fundamental difference between Islam and Christianity: can God become part of creation?
• How Muslims view Jesus as the greatest sinless prophet who never died, but deny His divinity
• The surprising overlap between Islamic and Catholic views on the Virgin Mary
• Why Islam is considered a "Christian heresy" rather than a completely separate religion
• The problematic claim that "Islam is a religion of peace" and what Islamic texts actually teach
• Common misconceptions Christians have about Islam and Muslims have about Christianity
• Translation issues in modern English Qurans that obscure controversial teachings
• The inside/outside mentality in Islam that creates a hierarchical caste system
• Why you should never assume you understand what any individual Muslim believes

Ismail provides invaluable insights from someone who lived Islam deeply before finding Christ, explaining how the Muslim conception of God differs radically from the Christian understanding that "God is love." He shares practical wisdom for Christians seeking to evangelize Muslims, including why starting with "Jesus as the Son of God" can create immediate barriers to meaningful dialogue.

This episode equips Catholics to understand Islam more accurately while maintaining genuine charity toward Muslim neighbors, recognizing that authentic evangelization requires both truth and love.

Resources:

Follow Ismail: @ishsofarabia on Instagram and YouTube
Support his ministry: PayPal @ishsofarabia
Watch Ismail's full conversion story on Pints with Aquinas with Matt Fradd

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