A Deep Dive Into the Origins of the Faith
If you’ve ever wondered“When did Islam start?” you’re not alone.
It’s a question that sparks curiosity in the hearts of Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Some say it began in 610 CE when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received the first revelation.
Others trace its roots back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) or even to the very beginning of humanity.
So, when exactly did Islam begin?
Let’s explore this together not just with historical facts, but also through the lens of the Quran and Hadith.
We’ll dig into the past, clear up some misconceptions, and understand why Islam is often described not just as a 7th-century religion, but as “a way of life since time began.”
What Is the Literal Meaning of “Islam”?
Before we even talk about when Islam started, we have to understand what “Islam” means.
In Arabic, Islam comes from the root word “S-L-M”, which is also the root for the word “Salaam” (peace).
The word Islam means submission or surrender to the will of Allah.
So, by definition, a Muslim is someone who submits to Allah and follows His guidance.
This is important to know because, as we’ll see, Islam in its essence didn’t just begin with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
It was the same message that all the prophets before him came with.
Did Islam Begin with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)?
Many people assume Islam started with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 610 CE when he received the first revelation in the cave of Hira.
It’s true that this marked the beginning of the final and complete form of Islam but the religion itself is much older.
Let’s look at what the Quran says:
“He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion which He ordained for Noah, and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.”
(Quran 42:13)
This verse tells us clearly: the core message of Islam was delivered through all previous prophets not just Muhammad (PBUH).
Islam, in its universal form submission to Allah existed long before the 7th century.
Was Prophet Adam (AS) the First Muslim?
Yes in fact, according to Islamic teachings, Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) was the first prophet and the first human being.
He submitted to the will of Allah and followed His commandments.
That makes him, in essence, a Muslim.
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ ۗ
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
(Quran 3:19)
From the very beginning of humanity, Allah communicated His will to mankind.
Adam was the first in the long chain of prophets, and every prophet after him continued this legacy.
How Is Islam Connected to Other Prophets Like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus?
Here’s the fascinating part: Islam doesn’t deny the previous prophets.
In fact, it honors them.
Muslims believe in all prophets, and they are considered part of one unified brotherhood of faith.
“Say, ‘We believe in Allah and in what was revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Descendants, and what was given to Moses and Jesus… We make no distinction between any of them.’”
(Quran 2:136)
Prophets like Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), and Isa (Jesus) (peace be upon them all) were Muslims not in the cultural or linguistic sense, but in the sense that they all submitted to Allah.
Even Jesus (peace be upon him) is described in the Quran as someone who said:
“Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet.”
(Quran 19:30)
This shows a continuity of the same divine message submission to Allah throughout time.
Why Is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Called the Final Messenger?
While the message of Islam has always existed, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to finalize and universalize it.
His message was not for a specific tribe or nation but for all of humanity.
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets.”
(Quran 33:40)
So while Islam didn’t “start” with him in the absolute sense, he is the one who delivered its final and complete version.
When Was the Quran Revealed, and Why Does It Matter?
The Quran was revealed over 23 years, beginning in 610 CE.
This event marked a significant moment it was the moment when the timeless message of Islam was documented, preserved, and meant for all of mankind.
The Quran says:
ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”
(Quran 2:2)
This divine book affirms the messages of the previous scriptures while correcting distortions and misunderstandings.
It gave Muslims a clear manual for life.
Is Islam the Same Religion as Christianity and Judaism?
Islam, is the true religion.
Islam makes a specific claim:
مَا كَانَ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ يَهُودِيًّۭا وَلَا نَصْرَانِيًّۭا وَلَـٰكِن كَانَ حَنِيفًۭا مُّسْلِمًۭا وَمَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
“Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim. And he was not of the polytheists.”
(Quran 3:67)
So, Islam claims to be the original monotheistic faith the same religion that Ibrahim practiced before the emergence of Jewish and Christian labels.
According to Islam, the term “Muslim” was never meant to be a label of a new religion, but a description of one’s relationship with Allah.
How Does the Sunnah Support the Idea of Islam’s Timelessness?
The Hadith literature complements the Quran in emphasizing that Islam is not new.
One famous hadith states:
“The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3443)
This beautifully summarizes the Islamic view of religious history that all the prophets came with the same fundamental message: worship one God, live righteously, and prepare for the Hereafter.
How Did Islam Evolve From Its Earliest Days to Today?
Islam started with the pure message of monotheism and submission to Allah, carried by Adam (AS) and later by thousands of prophets.
Over time, human interpretations and societal changes led to the distortion of earlier scriptures and the formation of new sects and religions.
When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) came, it was to bring people back to the original truth, to cleanse the message from innovations, and to provide the final, preserved version.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ
“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.”
(Quran 15:9)
Unlike previous revelations, the Quran has remained unchanged for over 1,400 years a miracle in itself.
Why Does It Matter When Islam Started?
Understanding the origins of Islam helps us:
- Appreciate its continuity with past messages
- Respect other faiths while acknowledging differences
- Strengthen our faith by realizing that Islam is not a man-made ideology but a divine path from the beginning of time
It also shows that being a Muslim is not about belonging to a new or exclusive religion it’s about aligning yourself with the original purpose of creation.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
(Quran 51:56)
Final Thoughts: So, When Did Islam Really Begin?
To put it simply:
Islam began with the beginning of human existence.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) didn’t bring a new religion he restored the original message of all the prophets: to worship one God and follow His guidance.
Whether it was Adam (AS) in paradise, Noah (AS) building the ark, Abraham (AS) standing against idol worship, Moses (AS) parting the sea, or Jesus (AS) calling to righteousness they were all part of the same mission.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) completed that mission.
So next time someone asks, “When did Islam start?” you’ll have a much deeper answer to give.
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