From Witch Doctor to Seeker of Truth
Abdul Masih was a Fulani Muslim witch doctor. In the 1980s, when he was young, he traveled from village to village prescribing herbal remedies and chanting incantations over sick or injured people. An innate curiosity about people drew him into this practice. What made them sick? he wondered. What might make them well? After five years as a witch doctor, that same curiosity drew him to ask questions about Christians. What God do they worship? What do they believe? How are they different from those of us who are Muslim? He began his quest by reading what the Quran said about “Isa,” as Jesus is referred to in that book. He was surprised to discover that the Quran makes fewer references to Muhammad, the writer and author of the Quran, than it does to Jesus. That worried him.
So he began a secret search for Christians so he could learn more. It was not easy because in the Katsina State where he lived, Christians are as rare as snowflakes. But he found a few and asked to speak to their pastor. Understandably, they were leery—even afraid. Nigerian Muslims often attack Jesus followers. At first these believers wondered if Abdul intended to expose and persecute them. In time, they were convinced he was genuinely interested in their faith, so they escorted him to their pastor’s house. The pastor, too, was afraid. A Muslim witch doctor meeting with a Christian pastor? He didn’t like the setup. In fact, after Abdul showed up, the pastor refused to meet with him. But Abdul would not be deterred. He was so eager to meet the pastor that he went to his home at 4:00 a.m. Surprised but also impressed, the pastor relaxed.
Conversion and Danger
This witch doctor is sincere in his quest for the truth, he realized. So the two men began meeting regularly. Six weeks into their meetings, Abdul professed faith in Jesus. News of Abdul’s conversion spread quickly. Rumors that Abdul had accepted 250,000 naira (about $1,500) to become a Jesus follower and had given the “infidels” his Quran to be burned triggered intense anger among local Muslims. To protect Abdul, church leaders arranged for him to leave town. When the rumors reached Abdul’s home village and family, his brother decided to kill Abdul to save the family’s honor. He discovered the new village where Abdul lived and walked to it. Upon seeing his brother, Abdul thought something had happened to their parents and his brother was bringing the news. “That’s not why I have come,” stated his brother. “I just want to confirm if what I have heard is true. If I do, I will execute you and go back home.” “You want to kill your own brother?” asked Abdul. His brother nodded.
To be continued…
Date: 22nd November 2025
Martyr: Abdulmashi
Location: Nigeria
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs “I am n”
Author: Not specified
Suffering Saturday 170
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