In our previous discussion, we explored that Islam means “willing submission to Allah” and that it is a complete way of life. But when did Islam actually begin?
Many people think that Islam started with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), but this isn’t the case. Islam is the religion chosen by Allah for all humanity from the very beginning of creation. In fact, Islam started with the very first human being, Adam (peace be upon him).
Islam: The Religion from the Beginning
Islam did not begin 1,400 years ago with the revelation given to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Instead, Islam was the original faith given to Adam, the first human and prophet. From Adam onwards, all prophets were sent by Allah to guide their people to the same core belief: submission to Allah, the One true God.
This means that Islam has always been the true religion, as it is the faith that Allah has chosen for humanity since the beginning. Allah created us to test whether we would submit to His will and become Muslims, or choose to disobey.
Islam in the Lives of Past Prophets
The Quran repeatedly emphasizes that all prophets and their followers were Muslims, meaning they submitted to Allah. Here are some examples:
📌 Allah tells us about Prophet Noah (peace be upon him): “And I have been commanded to be of the Muslims.” (Yunus 10:72)
📌 About Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), Allah says: “When his Lord said to him, ‘Submit,’ he said, ‘I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.’” (Al-Baqarah 2:131)
📌 Allah mentions Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) saying: “O my people, if you have believed in Allah, then rely upon Him, if you should be Muslims [i.e., submitting to Him].” (Yunus 10:84)
📌 About the disciples of Jesus (peace be upon him), Allah reveals: “And [remember] when I inspired to the disciples, ‘Believe in Me and in My messenger [Jesus].’ They said, ‘We have believed, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah].’” (Al-Ma’idah 5:111)
📌 Allah also tells us about Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) and the Queen of Sheba: “She said, ‘My Lord, indeed I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (An-Naml 27:44)
The Core Message of Islam
The core message of Islam, delivered through all the prophets and messengers, remains the same: it focuses on monotheism, worshiping Allah alone, and seeking His pleasure through worship, good morals, and virtuous ethics like mercy, justice, and modesty. It also includes belief in the hereafter, paradise, hellfire, reward, and punishment.
Allah affirms this in the Quran:
📌 “We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, “Worship Allah and shun false gods.”” (An-Nahl 16:36)
📌 “We never sent a messenger before you ˹O Prophet˺ without revealing to him: “There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me, so worship Me ˹alone˺.”” (Al-Anbiya’ 21:25)
Variations in the Laws of Islam
Although the fundamental teachings of Islam were consistent across all prophets, the specific rules and laws could vary. These differences were based on the needs of the times and the particular communities they were sent to. Some laws were specific to certain prophets and ended with their missions, while others were adjusted or modified according to divine wisdom.
In this context, the final version of Islam, as taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), is the ultimate and enduring form of the faith. It is meant to last until the end of time, guiding humanity on the path of submission to Allah.
Next Up: Core Beliefs and Practices
In the next part of this series, we will delve deeper into the core beliefs and practices of Islam. We’ll explore the fundamental aspects of the faith that guide the lives of Muslims and shape their relationship with Allah. Stay tuned as we continue our journey of understanding this profound way of life.
