Sometimes the most meaningful conversations begin with honest questions.
During a recent street dawah conversation, a woman from the north of the Netherlands shared her personal journey of faith and doubt. Raised in a Christian environment, she explained how, as she grew older, many of the beliefs she had inherited no longer seemed to fit with her understanding of the world. Over time, her questions led her away from religion altogether, and she eventually identified as an atheist.
Yet her search did not end there.
Driven by a desire to understand life’s deeper questions, she began exploring different worldviews and religions. Among them was Islam. Reflecting on what she had discovered, she described Islam as the most sincere expression of monotheism among the Abrahamic faiths. While she appreciated the compassion and teachings associated with Christianity, she found herself drawn to Islam’s clear and uncompromising belief in the oneness of God.
Although she had not yet embraced faith, she remained open-minded and willing to explore.
The conversation then turned to one of humanity’s oldest questions: Does God exist?
She expressed her belief that the universe may simply be the result of chance and randomness. In response, the caller gently invited her to consider the remarkable complexity and information found throughout creation—from the intricate coding of DNA to the intelligence observed within living cells. Rather than debating, the discussion encouraged reflection on whether such extraordinary order could truly arise without purpose.
As the conversation continued, a deeper concern emerged.
The idea of God itself was not what troubled her most. Rather, it was the thought of a judging God—a fear rooted in childhood teachings about heaven and hell. Recognizing this, the caller shared a perspective often overlooked: that every chapter of the Qur’an begins by reminding humanity that Allah is “The Most Compassionate, The Most Merciful.”
Instead of viewing God through the lens of fear alone, she was invited to consider His mercy, love, forgiveness, and desire for a relationship with His creation.
One simple question left a lasting impression:
Would you rather be a billionaire with no family or friends, or poor with people who love you?
Without hesitation, she chose relationships.
That answer opened the door to a profound reflection: if human beings naturally value love and meaningful relationships more than wealth, then perhaps the greatest relationship of all is the one between a person and their Creator.
While her journey is still unfolding, the conversation was a beautiful reminder that sincere questions can lead to sincere reflection. Sometimes dawah is not about immediate answers—it is about planting seeds, opening hearts, and helping people see God not as distant or frightening, but as the Most Loving and Most Merciful.
May Allah guide all sincere seekers to the truth and make us a means of guidance for others. Ameen.
