The Conversion of Egyptian Pastor Isaac Helal Maseeh

Early Life and Background:

Pastor Isaac Helal Maseeh was born on May 3, 1953, in the village of Al-Bayadiya in the Malawy district of Minya Governorate. He was raised in an Orthodox Christian family that instilled in him from a young age a deep-seated hatred against Islam and Muslims.

The First Transformation:

Isaac began studying the lives of the prophets, which ignited an internal intellectual conflict. His questions caused problems among the students, prompting the Pope to appoint him as a pastor two years earlier than planned, in an attempt to silence him by giving him high religious positions. He was appointed as the head of the Christian Ideal Church in Sohag and honorary president of the powerful evangelising association “Save Souls” in Egypt.

Interest in Islam:

Despite the prestigious positions he held, Isaac’s curiosity about Islam did not wane. He began reading and researching Islam in secret. He was asked to prepare a master’s thesis comparing religions. While preparing his thesis, he pointed out the truthfulness of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) prophecy, which led to objections from his supervisors, and they eventually withdrew his thesis.

Searching for Truth:

On August 6, 1978, while on his way to celebrate the Virgin’s festival in Alexandria, Isaac encountered a boy selling Islamic booklets on the bus. The boy refused to give Isaac a book because he was a pastor. This incident piqued Isaac’s curiosity, leading him to chase the boy until he obtained two books, one of which was “Juz Amma.” When he read Surah Al-Ikhlas, it resonated deeply with him, providing him with psychological comfort and tranquillity.

Contemplation and Reflection:

While sitting in the confession chair, a woman came asking for forgiveness for her sins. When Isaac raised the cross to absolve her, he remembered the phrase “Say, He is Allah, [who is] One” and found himself unable to speak. He went to meet the bishop and asked who would forgive his sins. The bishop replied that the Pope was the one who forgave. This conversation made him ponder the true nature of religion.

Enduring Torture:

A decision was made to imprison him in the Monastery of St. Mena in Wadi El-Natrun. Isaac endured severe torture, including daily beatings with a stick and being subjected to inhumane conditions. He was forced to tend to pigs and use a broomstick as a means of humiliation. During this period, Isaac continued his search for the truth.

The Great Discovery:

One day, Isaac witnessed the senior monk secretly praying the Muslim prayer. When confronted, the senior monk asked Isaac to keep it a secret, which made Isaac seriously consider Islam.

Official Declaration:

After a period of deep reflection, Isaac decided to embrace Islam. In September 1979, during a missionary trip to Sudan, he saw one of the new converts praying the Muslim prayer and declared the Shahada in his presence. He returned to Egypt attempting to publicly declare his Islam, but faced strong resistance from the church.

Obstacles and Challenges:

After declaring his Islam, Isaac relinquished all his possessions to the church. He faced three assassination attempts from his relatives, including a shooting incident that resulted in the removal of his left kidney. He lived under difficult conditions after being stripped of everything by the church, and faced constant monitoring and harassment.

Health Difficulties:

Due to the torture, Isaac suffered severe health problems. He underwent more than fifteen surgeries, including prostate operations, which were unsuccessful. His health condition required cosmetic surgeries and ureteral dilation, but he could not afford the treatment costs.

Life After Islam:

Isaac moved to Saudi Arabia, where he worked at the College of Da’wah and Fundamentals of Religion. He continued to call people to Islam and spread its teachings, emphasising that true faith comes from the heart and that Islam is the true religion.

Conclusion:

Isaac Helal Maseeh concludes his story by affirming that Islam liberates individuals from any servitude except to Allah. His decision to embrace Islam was the result of a long search for truth and was the best decision of his life. Isaac is now an active preacher of Islam, stressing the importance of seeking and reflecting to achieve certainty and true faith.