THE COUSIN OF MUHAMMAD WHO RENOUNCED ISLAM

Ubayd-Allah ibn Jahsh is a name not very well known todaybut he is among the earliest witnesses of the power of the Gospel even in difficult and unexpected circumstances.

He was a close cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)and also among the first people to accept Islam as soon as it began to be proclaimed in Mecca.

Because of the severe persecution that faced the early MuslimsUbayd-Allah was among the small group of people who decided to flee Mecca in the year 615 A.D. and migrate to the land of Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia)which was under a Christian king called Negusa leader known for his justice and mercy toward refugees and the oppressed. In that land of protection and religious freedomUbayd-Allah encountered in depth the teachings of Christianityand through the Gospel of Jesus Christ his heart was uniquely touched.

He reflectedhe prayedand finally he decided to renounce Islam and follow Jesus Christ.

“I came to know Christ hereand in my heart I felt a new light that I did not know before. I follow Christthe Son of the Living God,”

these words are quoted in the traditional accounts of early Christians who knew him.

His decision was not received with joy by the Muslim community that was with himnor by his relatives who remained in Mecca.

But despite pressureinsultsand blamehe remained firm in his faith until his death while still in Abyssinia.

But what followed was a shocking event that raises many questions. After Ubayd-Allah renounced Islamthe Prophet Muhammad decided to take his wife Umm Habiba bint Abi Sufyan and marry her himself. Meaning Muhammad saw it fit to snatch the wife of his cousin because he had left Islam. 😂😂

This action has been explained by many Islamic historians such as Ibn Ishaqal-Tabariand othersthough from a perspective that criticizes Ubayd-Allah and defends the Prophet...

This created pain and shockfor a man who decided to follow his spiritual conscience and leave the religion of his people lost his honor and even his family for the price of following Christ.

Although his personal feelings about this act were not written clearlythe situation itself leaves questions of justice and humanity.

“He decided to seize the wife of a man who left Islam—was that justice or revenge?”

Ubayd-Allah did not base his faith on customsbut followed it through inner conviction and spiritual testimony.

While others feared losing position or honorhe chose the way of the cross and renounced the religion of Islam and said “yes” to the living Christ.

Todaythe story of Ubayd-Allah ibn Jahsh is a symbol of couragea pure conscienceand a testimony of the love of God that crosses the boundaries of religionfamilyand even nation.

This man was not just a cousin of Muhammadbut a witness of the Gospel who stood in the midst of the storm. To mehe is my role model.

The Bible says:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...” — Romans 1:16

This is the story of one manbut it is the voice of all who have ever stood for the truth even when it hurt them.

THIS STORY IS VERY RARELY TOLD IN ISLAM.