Some of the most touching stories in the Bible are those of women – especially since these stories were recorded when women were not given the value and rights they now have in many countries. 

Most of the women’s stories in the Bible are integral to the redemption story. 

We love to share with Muslim women how our Lord values His daughters because Islam does not value women as much as men. (Wondering if this is true? Read these blogs to find out).

We cannot ignore the fact that sharing the stories of women in the Bible with Muslims may be challenging. Most Muslims don’t believe the Bible is true or accurate– in fact, Muslim scholars teach that Christians have corrupted the Bible (although this is not mentioned in the Quran) and that the Quran is the only current true message of Allah (you can learn more about that here).

However, the Word of God is a living and breathing testament that can touch the hearts of anyone who hears it because of the work of the Holy Spirit. So we should be bold in sharing Bible stories and passages with our Muslim friends and neighbors.

We’ve already explored how we can share Ruth’s story and the story of the Samaritan woman with our Muslim friends. Now let’s zoom in on one woman who was one of Jesus' closest followers: Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene- One of the first witnesses of the resurrection

Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ disciples. She was one of many women who followed Jesus and traveled with Him.

There is not much background given about Mary Magdalene in the Bible, but what is mentioned is enough to give us insight into this committed faithful woman. We first meet Mary Magdalene in Luke chapter 8 and learn that Jesus set her free from seven demons! 

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him,  and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out;” (Luke 8:1-3)

From that time she followed Jesus with several women to serve Him and learn from Him. She was there when He was crucified and when He was buried (John 19:25; Mark 15:47).

One of the most powerful stories of Mary Magdalene is in John 20:1-18, when she goes to the tomb before anyone else. There, she sees the empty tomb and meets Jesus after His resurrection. Mary becomes the first witness of Christ in His resurrected body, and He gives her the task to go tell the other disciples that He has risen!

This task was important because, during that time, women were not considered reliable witnesses when it came to testifying in a court of law. But Jesus corrected that practice and belief by entrusting Mary to be His witness. Jesus knows that women are equals to men, and He treats them as such.

Sharing this story with your Muslim friend can open their eyes to the way that Christ regards women and treats them as equal to men in everything including salvation, ministry, value, and witnessing. This story is a direct contrast to what Muhammad says in Quran 2:282:

"Get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women ... so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her."

Sharing Mary’s story of redemption and her special role in testifying to the resurrection can open a Muslim woman’s eyes to the love, empowerment, and freedom that Jesus is offering her!

How can I share the story of Mary Magdalene with my Muslim friend?

We encourage starting conversations with our Muslim friends by asking them questions. This signals to them that we are interested to know them and listen to them. Here are some ways you can start this conversation with your Muslim friend:

• Have you heard that the first person who witnessed Christ after His resurrection was a woman?
• Did you know that Christ has the power to set people free from the bondage of sin? He did this to one particular woman. 
• Would you be interested in reading a story of a woman in the Bible who was a close friend of Jesus?

Prayer for our female Muslim friends

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving men and women equally and calling us all to be part of sharing your gospel. Please touch my friend’s heart to be open and receptive to your Word. Let her know how much you love her. Help me be your light in her life. Amen.