From Priest to Scholar: Anselm Tormeda’s Journey to Islam

  Following the fall of Andalusia, a scholarly priest named Anselm Tormeda emerged in the city of Mallorca. His dedication to religious studies and pursuit of knowledge earned him a privileged position as the assistant to Nicolao Martel, a distinguished senior priest renowned for mentoring students from various regions. As scholars gathered around Martel to study the Bible, an unexpected discovery soon changed Tormeda’s life forever.

A Verse That Changed Everything

One day, when Nicolao Martel was absent due to illness, Anselm and his fellow students continued their studies independently. During their discussions, they came across a verse in the Bible: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Comforter." The meaning puzzled them, and when Martel recovered, Anselm eagerly sought his guidance.

The priest, however, was deeply distressed by the inquiry. Overcome with emotion, he warned Anselm that understanding the verse's true meaning could put his life in danger. After making Anselm promise secrecy, he revealed that “the Comforter” was a reference to none other than the Prophet Muhammad—the Messenger of Islam. Martel explained that the original teachings of Jesus had aligned with divine truth, and if Christians had upheld his faith in its purest form, they would have followed the religion of God.

A New Path Unfolds

Anselm was stunned by the revelation and asked his teacher how salvation could be attained. Martel responded with certainty: “My son, by converting to Islam.” When pressed about why he himself did not embrace the faith, Martel admitted that his advanced age and high status among Christians made conversion impossible for him without severe consequences. Instead, he urged Anselm to travel to a Muslim land where he could freely practice his newfound beliefs.

Determined to follow the truth, Anselm boarded a ship bound for Tunis. Upon arrival, he was warmly received by the Christian community, who admired him for his scholarly contributions. However, after deep contemplation, he sought out Sultan Abu al-Abbas Ahmad to formally declare his conversion to Islam.

A Public Declaration of Faith

Before accepting Anselm’s declaration, the Sultan devised a test. He summoned prominent Christian figures and asked them about Anselm. Without hesitation, they praised him as one of the greatest scholars of their religion. The Sultan then posed a critical question: "What would you say if he converted to Islam?" Their response was emphatic, dismissing the possibility altogether.

At that moment, Anselm stood before the gathering and publicly testified to the truth of Islam. Shocked and devastated, the Christians could only respond with skepticism, claiming that his decision was motivated by the desire to marry—since Christian priests were forbidden to wed.

A Legacy of Scholarship

After embracing Islam, Anselm immersed himself in Arabic studies, mastering the language and adopting a new name: Abdullah al-Tarjuman. His dedication led to the creation of a groundbreaking book, The Masterpiece of the Intelligent in Response to the People of the Cross. In this text, he systematically demonstrated the evidence for the prophethood of Muhammad, using arguments drawn directly from the Bible. Additionally, he provided scholarly proof of the distortions within Christian scriptures.

Anselm’s work remains an essential reference for scholars of comparative religion, serving as a testament to his intellectual transformation and unwavering commitment to truth. His legacy continues to inspire students and researchers, centuries after his remarkable journey from priesthood to Islam.