Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Ask A (Born Again) Muslim

Home
Muslim
Islam: One Universal Religion from Adam to Muhammad

Islam: One Universal Religion from Adam to Muhammad

Last updated on: January 2, 2022 at 12:05 am by Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Islam: One Universal Religion from Adam to Muhammad 2022-01-02T00:05:46-07:00 Ejaz Naqvi, MD

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many people around the world, including many Muslims, tend to think of Islam as being born in Arabia in the seventh century; they consider Muhammad as its “founder,” and the Qur’an as its Holy Book. Was Islam a result of Jewish and Christian influence on Prophet Muhammad? Did it start as an independent religion and borrow some concepts from the other two monotheistic religions prevalent in Arabia at the time? Or is it the last chain in the long chain of messages sent to various nations by the same One True God?

Islam in its broader perspective means submission (to One True God). A Muslim is a submitter. A review of the Qur’an, would reveal a broader perspective on Islam and Muslims.

And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance. And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs. 23:49–50

After these verses, the message is put in perspective in the next set of verses:

O messengers! [Note the plural used.] Eat of pure things and do good deeds, certainly I have knowledge of all your actions. In fact*, your religion is one religion,** and I am your Lord: so fear Me Alone. Yet people have divided themselves into factions and each faction rejoices in its own doctrines—well! Leave them in their heedlessness for an appointed time.* 23:51–53

The universality of Islam is addressed in other places in the Quran as well:

The same religion has He established for you [meaning Muhammad] as that which He enjoined on Noah—that which We have sent by inspiration to you—and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than God, hard to the unbelievers is that which you call them to. God chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him). 42:13

Verily! This, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me. 21:92

The Arabic word used above for religion, Ummah, has been variously translated as “group,” “brotherhood,” and “nation.”

Every nation was sent a messenger

According to the teachings of the Qur’an, God sent messengers/prophets to every nation, giving one basic message-serve One, True God only.

And certainly We raised in every nation a messenger saying: Serve God and shun the false gods [or Satan]. 16:36

One might argue that the “one religion” is not named, or perhaps “my religion” is that one religion. In the following verses of the Quran, that universal one religion is spelled out:

This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion. 5:3

The Religion before God is Islam (submission to His Will). 3:19

The religions have typically been named by their followers after their prophet’s departure from this world. For example, Jesus didn’t talk about Christianity. Moses didn’t claim he is bringing Judaism to the Israelites. However, as noted above, Islam was named as a religion by God in the Qur’an. After the Quran proclaims that the prophets brought one religion, and names it Islam, the Quran spells out what that religion is:

Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling, bowed to His Will (Accepted Islam), and to Him shall they all be brought back. Say (O Muhammad): We believe in God and what has been revealed to us, and what was revealed to Abraham, and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and what was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord; we do not make any distinction between any of them, and to Him do we submit. 3:83–84

After this broad definition, the Quran urges people to accept no other religion:

And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him. 3:85

Chain of Prophets and Islam

In one very long sequence in chapter 21 of the Qur’an, many prophets are mentioned, one after another, and at the end, the Qur’an declares that they all belong to the same nation (Ummah). Each section talks about a particular prophet or a group of prophets:

Certainly, We granted to Moses and Aaron the Criterion of right and wrong, a light and a reminder for those righteous people who fear their Lord though they have not seen Him, and dread the Day of Judgment. And now We have revealed this blessed Reminder (the Qur’an). Will you then deny it? 21:48–50

Even before that We blessed Abraham with rectitude, for We knew him well. Remember that occasion when Abraham asked his father and his people, ‘What are these images to which you are so devoted?’ They replied, ‘We found our forefathers worshipping them.’ He said, ‘Then certainly both you and your forefathers have been in manifest error.’ They asked, ‘Have you brought us the truth or are you one of the triflers?’ He replied, ‘No! Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. It is He Who has created them; and I am of those who bear witness to this.’ 21:51–56

The passage from verse 57 to 71 goes on to tell the story of Abraham breaking the idols and the idolaters putting him in fire and the cooling of fire under divine order. Then the focus shifts to other prophets:

We gave him a son Ishãq [Isaac] and then a grandson Ya’qoob [Jacob]; and We made each of them a righteous man. We made them leaders (Imams) who guided other people by Our command and We sent them revelations to do good deeds, establish Salah [prayer] and pay Zakah [regular charity]. Us Alone did they serve. To Lüt [Lot] We gave wisdom and knowledge, and We delivered him from the town which practiced abominations—surely its inhabitants were very wicked transgressors—and We admitted him to Our mercy: for he was of the righteous people. 21:72–75

Before them Nüh [Noah] prayed to Us, We accepted his prayer and delivered him and his family from the great calamity. We helped him against those people who had denied Our revelations; surely they were an evil people, so We drowned them all in the Great Flood. 21:76–77

And remember David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the matter of the field into which the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment. To Solomon We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things). It was We Who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from each other’s violence: will you then be grateful? (It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon, to his order, to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things. And of the evil ones, were some who dived for him, and did other work besides; and it was We Who guarded them. 21:78–82

And (remember) Job*,** when He cried to his Lord, ‘Truly distress has seized me, but You are the Most Merciful of those that are merciful.’ So We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number, as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.* 21:83–84

And (remember) Ishmael, Idris, and Zul-kifl*,** all (men) of constancy and patience;* We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones. And remember Zun-nun [Jonah], when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the depths of darkness, ‘There is no god but You: Glory to You: I was indeed wrong!’ So We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith. And (remember) Zechariah*,** when he cried to his Lord: ‘O my Lord! leave me not without offspring, though you are the best of inheritors.’ So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya [John]: We cured his wife’s (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.* And (remember) her [meaning Mary] who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples. 21:85–91

After the long sets of passages on many prophets, the Qur’an puts it all in perspective:

Verily this Islam is your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me and I am your only Lord, therefore worship Me Alone. And they broke their religion (into sects) between them: to Us shall all come back. Therefore whoever shall do of good deeds and he is a believer, there shall be no denying of his exertion, and surely We will write (It) down for him. 21:92–94

Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter (see sign up in the upper right corner) to receive the latest blog posts.

This post is largely derived from chapter 19 of my book The Quran:With or Against the Bible?

Prophet Muhammad. Abraham

Quran

Submission to God

Previous Post

December 23, 2021

Nativity in Islam and Baby Jesus Speaking from the Cradle

Next Post

January 6, 2022 IN GOD WE TRUST

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category #IStandWithIlhan #ISupportRashidaTlaib #JusticeForZainab #MeToo #shithole Countries #Shitholecountries 1001 Inventions 2017 in review 2019 2nd amendment 4th of July 58 Palestinians 99 names of God Afghanistan Afterlife Al Ma'idah Allah Alms America and Islam American mosque American Muslim American Muslims Animals in paradise Annunciation anti-Semitism Aquatic origin Arafat Arkansas Arrogance Ashura Ashura and Karbala atheism atheism and islam Atheism and Muslim atheist Attacks on places of worship Austin Serial Bomber ave a dream Avicenna Benjamin Corey Beyond rituals Bible Bible and science Biden inauguration Big Bang Black Lives Matter Brett Kavanaugh Burcin Mutlu-Pakdil Burma Caliph Donald Trump Cell phones and mobile devices Chanukah Charity Charlottesville Chastity Child murder Child rape Christchurch mosque attacks Christchurch Mosques shootings Christian Christian Fundamentalism Christian Muslim Dialogue Christian Muslim interfaith Christian Taliban Christian-Muslim Dialogue Christians Christine Blaise Ford Christmas Christmas and Gaza Church Church of Ebgland Civil liberty CNN Explosive Device Coexist Conor Lamb Corona virus Covenant of Muhammad Covid-19 Virus Creation Creation in 6 days Creation in Quran and Bible Creation vs evolution Creationism Cross channel Patheos dialogue Crucifisxion Daily Prayer Services Day of Arafah Dayton shooting Dear Mother Devin Kelley Diamond Rule Domestic terrorism Domestic Violence Domestic Violence in Muslim communities Easter Edhi Eid Eid Al Adha Eid Al Fitr Eid Mubarak El Paso shooting Elohim End of Life care Environment Protection Ethnic Cleansing Evolution Evolution theory Explosive Devices in Mail Fact-Checking Faith and civil liberties Faith and justice Faith and religion Faith and suffering Fake news Fasting and ramadan Fasting in Torah and Gospel Fasting on Ashura Fear Inc fear mongers Fear of God Flat Earth Flat Earther Flu Flu prevention Flu tips Flu vaccine Followers of christ forgiveness forms of interfaith dialogue Freedom of expression Freedom of religion Friday at Kaaba Friday prayer Friday prayer at Kaaba Friday prayer during Hajj Gaza General Wesley Clark Genocide George Floyd Glad Tidings God God Fearing God of Abraham God's Mercy Golden Rule Good Friday Gospel Gospels Gratitude Gun control laws gun safety Gun violence Hagia sophia Hajj Hajj 2020 Hajj 2020 Day of Arafah Hajj 2022 Hajj in review Halal Hanukkah Happy Father's day Happy New Hijri Year Happy New Year Hate crime hate speech Hijab Hijabi scientist Holy Land Holy week Hot takes Humility I have a dream I have a dream in the Quran Ihram ilad un Nabi Ilhan Omar Imam Ali Imam hussain In God we trust In God's image infidels Intelligent design Inter religious relations Interfaith Interfaith Dialogue Interfaith Iftar Intra Faith Dialogue Intra-Faith dialogue Islam and Jesus Islam and racism Islam in America Islam Judaism and Christianity Islam One Religion Islam- way of Abraham Islam-Facts Islam-one religion Islamberg Islamic Comamndments Islamic golden age Islamic jesus Islamic Mannerism Islamophobia ISNA Israel's capital Jerusalem Jeruslam Jesus Jesus and end of times Jesus and Gaza Jesus Christ Jewish-Muslim dialogue Jewish-Muslim Relations Jews Jews Christians and Muslims Jihad Joe Biden Joseph son of Jacob Just Muslim Justin Trudeau Kaaba Karbala Kashmir Kavanaugh confirmation Killings of Palestinians Kind and Loving God Kind God and sufferings Kobe Bryant Kosher Labor Day Las vegas shooting Las vegas terror Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad Last Supper Law of Moses Leaving religion Lent Life lessons Linda Sarsour lllegal immigrants Loving God Make America Great aagain Malala Mannerism lessons Marijuana Mark anthony Conditt Martin Luther King Martin Luther King Day Mary Maryam Masjid Nabawi Mass shooting Mawlid Mawlid un nabi Mecca Medical Marijuana Medina Medina AlQiblatayn mosque Medina Baqih meditation Merciful God Merry Christmas Mike Pompeo mindfulness Miracles of the Qur'an Mitzvah MLK Day Mosque Most Forgiving God mother of Jesus Mother's day Mount Sinai Monastery Muhammad Muharram Muharram and Karbala Muslim Muslim Americans Muslim Christian Dialogue Muslim contribution to Science Muslim gatekeeprs Muslim Jesus Muslim Nobel prize winners Muslim Review Year 2022 Muslim scientists Muslim Unity Muslim Women in Congress Muslim-Atheist dialogue Muslim-Christian relations Muslims-Facts Muzdalifah My Hajj My Jihad Myanmar Myths about Islam Myths about Muslims Nativity Nativity of Jesus New Year New Year resolution New Year Wishes Nobel prize Nones Northern California fires not flu Nuns Occupied Kashmir OJ Simpson One nation under God Onjil Original Sin osque of prphet Muhammad Palestine Parkland school shooting Pew Research center Pilgramage Pilgrims Pillars of Islam Pious Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting Plastic Platinum Rule Police racism Pope Francis meeting with Ayatollah Sistani Pot Prayers Prophet Muhammad Prophets of Islam Protestant Proud American Pulpit Purpose of creation Quba mosque Qur'an Quran Quran and Jesus Quran and Science Quran commandments Quran is easy to understand racism Racism and Diversity Ramadan Ramadan Fasting Ramadan Kareem Rashida Tlaib Rashida Tlaib Cursing Rebuttal to Hemant Mehta Religion and science Religion is the solution Religion vs science Religiosity Religious scientists Removing life support Republicans and Christianity Retirement Riazul Jennah Rick Saccone Righteousness Rohingya Roman Catholic Round Earth Roy Moore defeat Safa and Marwa Salah Salat Saudi exported extremism Saudi Oil filed attack Science and Faith Science and religion scientist and atheism Secretary of state Senate hearing Sermon on the Mount Sexual abuse Sexual harassment Sharia Sharia Law Shia Shia Sunni Unity Social Justice and Islam Sri Lanka Terror Attacks on Easter St. Catherine Monastery Stand with Kashmir Straight Path Submission to God Sunni Sunni-Shia unity Supplications supremacists Supreme court judge Supreme court nomination synagogues and churches Talbiya Taliban Ten Commandments Terror plot against Islamberg Terrorism Texas church shooting Thank God Thankfulness Thanksgiving Thanksgiving celebration Thanksgiving Day the mother of Jesus Torah Tree of Life Tree of Life Synagogue True Christians Trump Trump and misogyny Trump's decision for recognition of Jerusalem Trump's threat to Sanctuary cities Trusting God Tzedekah Uhad Umrah UN resolution Uncategorized Unchristian Republican behavior UnChurched United Ummah UnMosqued US Embassy in Jerusalem US war with seven countries Uyghurs Vatican on Eid Violence in Gaza Wahhabisim War on Christmas wellness What Would Jesus Do? What would Muhammad do? white supermacist White supremacists White Supremacy Why were we created Women's march WWJD Yemen Zakat Zamzam well

Select a Month April 2024 March 2024 December 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 December 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz