Islam According to Itself: The Story Begins

1. Islam’s Self-Understanding: A Continuation, Not a Beginning

What Does "Islam" Mean?

In Islamic tradition, the word Islam (الإسلام) is rooted in the Arabic triliteral root s-l-m, which carries meanings of peace, safety, and submission. Theologically, Islam signifies submission to the will of Allah, the One and Only God—eternal, unique, and without partners. A Muslim (one who submits) is thus not merely a follower of a specific religious system, but someone whose life is oriented in complete surrender to the Creator.

In this self-understanding, Islam is not a new faith that began in the 7th century; rather, it is the original religion of all humanity—the path that all prophets and righteous people followed since the dawn of time. As the Qur’an declares:

"Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam."
(Surah Āl ʿImrān 3:19)

This principle forms the basis of Islam’s historical narrative.

2. A Universal and Eternal Message

Islamic doctrine holds that Islam is not a new religious innovation, but the final form of an ancient and universal message. That message—to worship Allah alone without partners and to live righteously—has been conveyed through a long series of prophets sent to every nation:

"And there was never a nation but that there had passed within it a warner."
(Surah Fāṭir 35:24)

"And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid ṭāghūt (false gods).’"
(Surah al-Naḥl 16:36)

Islamic tradition reports that 124,000 prophets (anbiyā’) were sent throughout human history, though only 25 are mentioned by name in the Qur’an. Among them:

  • Adam (‘alayhi al-salām) – the first human and first prophet

  • Nūḥ (Noah) – a warner to his people before the Flood

  • Ibrāhīm (Abraham) – the father of prophets and icon of pure monotheism

  • Mūsā (Moses) – to whom the Tawrah (Torah) was given

  • ʿĪsā (Jesus) – the Messiah, born miraculously and given the Injīl

  • Muḥammad ﷺ – the final prophet, sent with the Qur’an to all of humanity

Despite their varied cultures and missions, their core message was always the same:

"We make no distinction between any of His messengers."
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:285)

3. Prophets, Messengers, and Divine Scriptures

Islam draws a distinction between prophets (anbiyā’) and messengers (rusul). All messengers are prophets, but not all prophets are messengers. Messengers are those given specific laws or scriptures to deliver to their people.

According to Islamic belief, previous revelations include:

  • Ṣuḥuf Ibrāhīm – the scrolls of Abraham

  • Tawrah – the Torah of Moses

  • Zabūr – the Psalms of David

  • Injīl – the Gospel of Jesus

However, Islam teaches that these scriptures were altered or lost over time, no longer preserved in their original form. The Qur’an, by contrast, is seen as:

"A Book We have sent down to you in truth, confirming what came before it and as a guardian over it."
(Surah al-Mā’idah 5:48)

Thus, the Qur’an functions not only as the final revelation but also as the criterion (al-Furqān) by which earlier scriptures are judged.

4. All Prophets Were Muslims

From the Islamic perspective, every prophet of God—from Adam to Muhammad—was a Muslim. This is not a retroactive label, but a reflection of the principle that Islam (submission to Allah) has always been the only true religion.

"Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [one who submits], and he was not of the polytheists."
(Surah Āl ʿImrān 3:67)

"Say, [O Muhammad], 'Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path—a correct religion—the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allah.'"
(Surah al-Anʿām 6:161)

Islam teaches that the pure monotheism (tawḥīd) upheld by all prophets is the unbroken thread that defines the only legitimate spiritual path across time.

5. Muḥammad ﷺ: The Final Messenger

The Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ is viewed as the Seal of the Prophets (Khatam al-Nabiyyīn), the final messenger in a long chain. His mission is not to bring a new religion but to complete and universalize the message of all prior prophets.

"Muḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets."
(Surah al-Aḥzāb 33:40)

"And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds."
(Surah al-Anbiyāʾ 21:107)

"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion."
(Surah al-Mā’idah 5:3)

According to Islamic belief, the revelation given to Muḥammad ﷺ—the Qur’an—is final, perfect, and preserved until the end of time:

"Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian."
(Surah al-Ḥijr 15:9)

6. Islam’s Claim: Final, Universal, and Unbroken

Islamic theology presents Islam as:

  • The original religion revealed to all of humanity

  • The only valid path of worship and salvation

  • The final and complete expression of divine will through the Qur’an

  • A universal faith, transcending race, nation, and era

This view gives Islam not merely a claim to truth for Muslims, but a redefinition of all religious history, asserting that all prophets were part of one unified mission of submission to Allah.

Final Reflections

Understanding this self-claim is essential to grasping Islam’s role in both theology and history. Islam does not see itself as one religion among many, but as the singular truth revealed by God, restored in its final form through the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ. Every theological, legal, and historical framework in Islam is built on this foundational premise.

Note to Readers:
If you believe that the representation of Islam in this post does not accurately reflect its teachings or core beliefs, we encourage you to share your perspective. Please reference specific Islamic sources—whether from the Qur’an, Hadith, or classical scholarship—to clarify where our representation may differ. The aim is to engage in respectful, informed, and evidence-based dialogue.

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