Universal Mercy: Recovering from Drug Abuse Across Faiths
In 2022, I traveled to Morocco to participate in a multi-faith program. In the city of Boujaad, I found myself somewhat isolated from the main groups, as most were eager to converse with foreigners fluent in Arabic. This experience of being left out was rare for me, but it was transformative. Two men I'd known since 2019 quickly intervened, bringing chairs and another participant to sit with me, ensuring I felt welcomed. Their compassionate care has remained with me daily.
During our conversation, the topic shifted to mercy. I shared a brief story of my own salvation—how God saved me from drug abuse. (I prefer not to use the term 'addiction' as I find it less helpful.) Despite some language barriers—I spoke formal Arabic while they did not—their tone, movements, and excitement conveyed their understanding. When I mentioned how God had been merciful to me, they responded with enthusiasm, “It’s the same in Islam!”
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
Psalm 145:9
This moment was revelatory for both them and me. They realized that God's mercy is universally accessible, transcending religious boundaries. The astonishment on their faces revealed a deep and hidden love for all, as an expression of God’s care for creation. Such a simple and profound truth transformed us.
But as I’ve reflected on this experience, I’ve had to ask some difficult questions: Could God truly rescue Christians and Muslims given their different theological views and irreconcilable differences about God’s nature? It became clear to me that this shared experience of divine mercy, whether called 'mercy' in Islam or 'grace' in Christianity, points to a common divine destiny rooted in our shared humanity.
I’ve often wondered how my Christian friends might react to this story. Would they view a Muslim's recovery from drug abuse as merely a self-help mechanism or a non-Christian recovery process? While many might be glad to see any human life saved from the ravages of drug abuse, they might hesitate to attribute it to God's mercy when it involves Muslims. They might see it functionally: drug abuse is countered by joining a community that offers support or by a change in lifestyle and affiliations.
However, if we as Christians dismiss such profound transformations, we might inadvertently downplay our own efforts in helping drug abusers recover. We attribute or at the very least thank God for recovering a drug abuser to a new life. Shouldn’t we also thank God for his grace and mercy in saving Muslims from the terrors of abuse, recognizing his work to all humankind?
