Islam is often seen in the modern world as a religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 7th-century Arabia. While it is true that Muhammad is the final messenger and brought the last revelation, the Qur’an and Islamic tradition emphasize a profound and often overlooked reality: Islam is not a new religion, but the timeless message of all prophets sent by God throughout history, beginning with Adam and including figures like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
This central Islamic belief—that the essence of Islam was the core message of all previous prophets—offers a unifying perspective on divine guidance across time, cultures, and scriptures. It shows that God's message has always been one of submission to His will, which is precisely what the word "Islam" means.
What Does “Islam” Mean?
The Arabic word Islam comes from the root word s-l-m, which means peace, purity, submission, and obedience. In a religious context, Islam means submission to the will of the one true God (Allah in Arabic) and finding peace through that submission.
Therefore, anyone who submits to God's will and lives according to His commandments is, in essence, practicing Islam. The Qur’an repeatedly states that prophets before Muhammad were Muslims—not in the cultural or ethnic sense, but in the sense that they were devoted, obedient servants of God.
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Qur’an 3:19)
Adam – The First Prophet and the First Muslim
According to Islamic belief, Adam (peace be upon him) was the first human being and the first prophet. God created Adam with His own hands, gave him knowledge, and honored him above the angels. Adam was taught to worship only one God and to live according to divine guidance. When Adam and Eve erred, they repented, and God forgave them—establishing the pattern of sin, repentance, and forgiveness that would characterize human life.
Adam’s mission was to guide his descendants to worship God alone and live righteously. This foundational principle is the essence of Islam: belief in one God, righteous living, and submission to His will.
Noah, Abraham, and the Prophetic Tradition
Noah (Nuh in Arabic) was sent to his people when they strayed from monotheism. He preached the worship of one God for 950 years, calling his people to repent and turn back to their Creator. The Qur’an describes him as a faithful servant who was “a grateful slave” (Qur’an 17:3).
Abraham (Ibrahim) is perhaps one of the most celebrated prophets in Islam. He is referred to as the “friend of God” and the “father of the prophets.” Abraham rejected idolatry and polytheism and called his people to worship the one true God. He is described in the Qur’an as a "ḥanīf" (upright man), and a Muslim:
“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists.” (Qur’an 3:67)
Abraham’s life was marked by trials—most famously his willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command. His unwavering faith and submission made him a model of Islam, and his legacy continues through the Hajj pilgrimage and other Islamic practices.
Moses (Musa) – Lawgiver and Servant of God
Moses (peace be upon him) is the most frequently mentioned prophet in the Qur’an. Sent to the Israelites to deliver them from the oppression of Pharaoh and guide them to God’s laws, Moses received the Torah (Tawrat), a divine scripture.
Moses’ mission was deeply Islamic in its foundation: calling people to monotheism, justice, compassion, and submission to divine law. He led his people in prayer, fasting, and reliance on God. Though the Israelites sometimes faltered, Moses remained a faithful servant.
“And We certainly sent Moses with Our signs, [saying], ‘Bring out your people from darkness into the light and remind them of the days of Allah.’” (Qur’an 14:5)
Like all prophets, Moses taught that salvation comes through faith in God and obedience to His commands—another expression of Islam.
Jesus (Isa) – Messenger and Spirit from God
In Islam, Jesus (peace be upon him) is revered as one of the greatest prophets, born miraculously to the Virgin Mary (Maryam). He is described as the Messiah, a sign to the world, and a spirit from God. However, Islam rejects the divinity of Jesus, emphasizing instead his humanity and prophethood.
Jesus came to confirm the Torah and bring the Gospel (Injeel), calling the Children of Israel back to the true path. He preached love, mercy, humility, and devotion to God.
“Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.” (Qur’an 19:30)
The Qur’an describes Jesus and his disciples as Muslims, submitting to God:
“And [remember] when I inspired the disciples, ‘Believe in Me and in My messenger.’ They said, ‘We believe, so bear witness that indeed we are Muslims [in submission to Allah].’” (Qur’an 5:111)
Muhammad – The Final Prophet and the Seal of Revelation
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is considered the Seal of the Prophets (Khatam an-Nabiyyin). He did not bring a new religion but rather revived and perfected the message that had been distorted or forgotten over time.
The Qur’an, revealed to Muhammad, is seen as the final, preserved, and universal message for all humanity, confirming the scriptures before it:
“It is He who has sent down the Book to you [O Muhammad] with truth, confirming what came before it.” (Qur’an 3:3)
Muhammad’s life embodied the teachings of Islam. He was known for his honesty, compassion, and wisdom. Through his example, the message of previous prophets was clarified and completed.
Unity of the Prophetic Message
One of Islam’s most unique theological contributions is its insistence on the unity of all true prophets and their messages. Muslims are required to believe in all the prophets without distinction:
“The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], ‘We make no distinction between any of His messengers.’” (Qur’an 2:285)
This belief fosters a sense of continuity and respect for previous scriptures and traditions—though Islam also teaches that many of those scriptures were changed or corrupted over time, while the Qur’an remains preserved.
Conclusion
From Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, all prophets brought the same essential message: believe in one God, live righteously, and submit to His will. This is the essence of Islam. While rituals and laws may have differed to suit the needs of different peoples and times, the core of the message remained the same.
Islam is not a new faith, but the final and complete form of the universal religion preached by all the prophets of God. Recognizing this shared legacy promotes not only deeper understanding among the followers of the Abrahamic faiths but also a profound appreciation of the unity of divine guidance through the ages.
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