What were the religions preceding Islam?

[panacea]

Greetings to all.

Firstly, I am not sure if this sub-forum is where my question should be asked, so apologies if this is miscategorized.

Secondly, I understand Islam to be the din that begins with Adam. Although we tend to identify Islam with Abrahamic faiths, we also undertake the notion that the din's essence truly began when Alllah bestowed knowledge upon Adam. In this regard, what was the name of the faith before Islam, Judaism, Christianity, but was also equally as valid as Islam in its own time for communicatoin between the heavens and humans? For instance, there are some parts of Buddhism that are strangely similar to Islam. Although we can conclude that the *current understanding of some of the cores of Buddhism* are not Islamic, it does not necessarily mean it was not, once upon a time, a faith that was actually given to makind from Allah, only to be *distorted* as time went on. On that same token, simply drawing similarities does not indicate that, again, Buddhism had Divine internvention in it, in whatever regards it may have been. I want to map the evolution of Adam's religion - Islam - but this is impossible without know what Allah gave to us as a religion, before Islam and other Abrahamic faiths. I also believe that if this exists (logically, I think it should), then there is much knowledge in this idea and knowledge is fun to learn! =)

Peace.

 

[greenhill]

I understand Islam to be the din that begins with Adam. Although we tend to identify Islam with Abrahamic faiths, we also undertake the notion that the din's essence truly began when Alllah bestowed knowledge upon Adam.

You have answered your own question...

Many things have been distorted over the passage of time as you correctly pointed out, it is important to accept the final revelation as being complete for our 'future' and the 'gaps' of the past (or possible holes in the map of the past) is just for our own knowledge.

Peace

 

[Ahmad H]

You will never be able to know the full evolution of religion since Adam (as). Here is why:

14:9 Has not the news reached you, of those before you, the people of Nuh, `Ad, and Thamud And those after them None knows them but Allah. To them came their Messengers with clear proofs, but they put their hands in their mouths and said: "Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and we are really in grave doubt as to that to which you invite us.''

Tafsir Ibn Kathir:
Allah narrated to this Ummah (followers of Muhammad ) the stories of the people of Prophet Nuh, `Ad and Thamud, and other ancient nations that belied their Messengers. Only Allah knows the count of these nations,
(To them came their Messengers with clear proofs,) they brought them evidences and plain, tremendous proofs and signs. Ibn Ishaq reported that `Amr bin Maymun said that `Abdullah said about Allah's statement,
(None knows them but Allah.) "The genealogists utter lies.'' This is why `Urwah bin Az-Zubayr said, "We did not find anyone who knows the forefathers of Ma`dd bin `Adnan.''

These other faiths like Buddhism do have similar qualities to Islam. But it has been distorted so much that in order to properly check the evolution of Islam, you would have to conclude things about Buddhism which we aren't able to identify now as Islamic. Even if it existed, where could we find the evidence?

Buddha does seem like he could have been a Prophet of God, but we do not know for sure. All we know is the resemblance of qualities to a Prophet of God, that he gave glad tidings and warning to his people, he spoke to large gatherings of people giving them messages, he built places of worship, he prayed often, he had visions and he was able to ward of Shaytan (Mara) similar to how Jesus (as) warded him off when he was tempted by Shaytan in the desert.

The similarities are there, but the teachings are lost, if there were any. We will only know for sure when we die and hopefully are good enough to be in the company of such learned men and Prophet of God. You will have to study all of the other religions and their founders in great depth. This is all I know, I leave you with the rest.

 

[Muhammad]

Hello panacea,

I think your question has been addressed in the following post, which was written in response to the question: 'what makes Islam right and other religions wrong? What evidence does Islam have going for it, why is it better than say Christianity, or an eastern religion?'

I've highlighted in bold some parts that seemed most relevant.

Because simply, it is what has always been, since the beginning. All the prophets of God taught the same thing, came with the same message, which was for people to submit to and worship the One True God alone without any associates whatsoever in His Divinity, and to obey the Prophet. That message never changed. It is the original and only message.

Allah has sent a succession of prophets to people throughout the ages, with guidance to show us how He wants us to live and worship Him.
Muslims believe in all the prophets God sent to guide and warn people, and do not reject any of them, from Adam, to the last and final prophet,
Muhammad, peace be on them all. They were the purest and noblest of humanity and were not divine in any way. God sent all the prophets with
the same message and not different messages.

They taught that people should be under no misperception that they can commit themselves to God as their Lord, and then combine this with accepting others as their Lord, or associating others in His Divinity, in any way. So Islam is not a new faith but is the same Ultimate Truth that God revealed to all prophets, including Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them). Thus Islam is not named after a specific person (like Christianity, Buddhism), nor after a certain race or place (like Judaism, Hinduism), but is named by God Himself, and the meaning loosely translates as 'submission to God', which is what every Prophet and their righteous followers did, from amongst all times, all races and all peoples. That in itself is one fraction of the evidence that it was the way of all the Prophets from the beginning.

In some religions, the message got forgotten or corrupted. So people started worshipping other gods along with Him, made idols, said that God begot a son, said that certain people were incarnations of God, elevated the status of some prophets to divine, some rejected or blasphemed some of the prophets etc.

Since the time of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who is the last and final prophet and messenger, Gods message is available unchanged and unadulterated, for the entire world, until the end of time. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) wasn't sent as prophet and messenger for a specific group of people and specific time (e.g. as Moses and Jesus -peace be upon them- were to the Children of Israel), but he was sent for all the world, for all time, from his prophethood until the Day of Judgement. Thus he is the last, not first, prophet of Islam; a messenger to all mankind, to be followed until the end of time.

The Qur'an is the last and final scripture of God, revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) via the angel Gabriel (peace be upon him). It's message is for the entire world, until the world ends. It is because Allah has promised to preserve the Qur'an that there won't be any need for a new Prophet, because the message is, and will remain, in tact. Thus it is fully preserved with no word in it coming from any human. It is 100% the word of God, unlike the other scriptures that we have with us today, that have been changed by humans, thus it supersedes the previous scriptures.

It has no versions or editions. Millions of people from all over the world have it memorised, and they all recite word for word the same thing. It contains practical guidance on how to live our life, how to worship God, stories of previous prophets from which to learn lessons, warnings, rules, comfort, solace, and in it God corrects any misconceptions people may have about Him or His prophets. It tells us what has always been expected from humans since the beginning of time; what He told His prophets to teach people since the very beginning. That message never changed. The essence of Islam is what always was, and has always been, the true and natural religion; the way of all the Prophets, the original message, the only message.

It's universal message has remained unchanged for over 1400 years, not only a religion, but a way of life, for all people, all times, and all places. It is a complete code of conduct for every aspect of life, from the most intimate, to the most public. It not only exhorts one to be good, but provides complete guidance to practically live that, strongly aiming to prevent problems in society from the outset; solutions for problems are also given. The modern world only stands to benefit from Islam. An increase in knowledge and education, and scientific discoveries, provide further evidence that it is the truth.

Hope that helps a bit and please don't hesitate to ask for further clarification and further questions that might stem from this.

Peace.

 

[Insaanah]

In this regard, what was the name of the faith before Islam, Judaism, Christianity, but was also equally as valid as Islam in its own time for communicatoin between the heavens and humans?

I want to map the evolution of Adam's religion - Islam - but this is impossible without know what Allah gave to us as a religion, before Islam and other Abrahamic faiths. I also believe that if this exists (logically, I think it should), then there is much knowledge in this idea and knowledge is fun to learn! =)

To add to the above posts, here are translations of Allah's own words on the subject, where He tells us that we are following what was ordained on all the Prophets (peace be upon them) before, even those before Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), the same message they were all sent with:

He has ordained for you of religion that which He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and that which We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back [to Him]. (42:13)

Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me. (21:25)

And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad SAW), as it was to those (Allah's Messengers) before you: "If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers." (36:95)

And ask those We sent before you of Our messengers; have We made besides the Most Merciful deities to be worshipped? (43:45)

Nothing is said to you, [O Muhammad], except what was already said to the messengers before you... (41:43, part)

Allah wants to make clear to you [the lawful from the unlawful] and guide you to the [good] practices of those before you and to accept your repentance. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (4:26)

We sent no messenger save that he should be obeyed by Allah's leave. (4:64, part)

In fact the Qur'an doesn't state that it conflicts with the earlier scriptures, but that it confirms, continues, and is a culmination of the truth of what was in the original earlier scriptures sent by God, and that it comes clearing misconceptions and wrong beliefs that had been introduced and written by man in the earlier books. The core belief and creed, that we should submit wholeheartedly to the command of God, worship Him and Him alone without any associates in His Divinity, and that we should obey the Prophet, have always been the same, while small ancillary rules may have differed.

And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allah and obey me.
Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. This is a straight path."
But the denominations from among them differed [and separated], so woe to those who have wronged from the punishment of a painful Day. (43:63-65)

It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given the Scripture and wisdom and the prophethood that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: Be worshippers of me apart from Allah; but (what he said was): Be faithful servants of the Lord by virtue of your constant teaching of the Scripture and of your constant study thereof. (3:79)

Nor would he order you to take angels and prophets for lords. Would he order you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah's Will? (3:80)

Or were you witnesses when death approached Jacob, when he said to his sons, "What will you worship after me?" They said, "We will worship your God and the God of your fathers, Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac - one God. And we are Muslims [in submission] to Him." (2:133)

But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, "Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah ?" The disciples said," We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]. (3:52)

Rather than trying to see/guess if there are fragments of truth in other religions, let us focus on the whole truth which we have. Going backwards to see what may/may not be from Allah is a dangerous thing, because you could get it wrong and attribute something to Allah that was not from Him, and you're spending time which you could be spending on actually learning and practising more of Islam, and inevitably a lot of distortion will be read on the way which has the potential to misguide. Thus there is no benefit in this. We have an unchanged message, a 100% divine message, a preserved message, a whole message, every word from Allah, no guessing involved, and it is the main source for our guidance and salvation. And it tells us what came before, and that we are following the same message.

 

[anisafatima]

The religion what we call today Islam was in fact religion of every Prophet and Messenger either it is Christianity or Judaism both used to be Islam, it is because of amendments in fundamental of practitioners that made it different. Practitioners should follow religion by the will of Almighty God (SWT) what He commands not what practitioners like to.

 

[Lukqman]

Greetings to all.

Firstly, I am not sure if this sub-forum is where my question should be asked, so apologies if this is miscategorized.

Secondly, I understand Islam to be the din that begins with Adam. Although we tend to identify Islam with Abrahamic faiths, we also undertake the notion that the din's essence truly began when Alllah bestowed knowledge upon Adam. In this regard, what was the name of the faith before Islam, Judaism, Christianity, but was also equally as valid as Islam in its own time for communicatoin between the heavens and humans? For instance, there are some parts of Buddhism that are strangely similar to Islam. Although we can conclude that the *current understanding of some of the cores of Buddhism* are not Islamic, it does not necessarily mean it was not, once upon a time, a faith that was actually given to makind from Allah, only to be *distorted* as time went on. On that same token, simply drawing similarities does not indicate that, again, Buddhism had Divine internvention in it, in whatever regards it may have been. I want to map the evolution of Adam's religion - Islam - but this is impossible without know what Allah gave to us as a religion, before Islam and other Abrahamic faiths. I also believe that if this exists (logically, I think it should), then there is much knowledge in this idea and knowledge is fun to learn! =)

Peace.

Salaam

Just to add some additional intel on Buddhism:

According to Hussein Yee, a former Buddhist and Christian who converted to Islam, Buddhism originated from the teachings of Guatama who was an ancient prince. The story goes: He had all this money and power but he knew there was something missing in his life. He then started a journey to find the truth about this life. He encountered several others living in seclusion but didn’t find anything of interest (mainly keeping hair long, nails uncut, etc.). Nobody could give him guidance so he meditated under a tree. He was then enlightened hence he was given the title: Buddha which comes from the Sanskrit word “Bud” meaning awakening. Hussein Yee says that Guatama then understood what life was about believing there was something that must be done before death. The core of what is still understood about his teachings today is karma which clearly agrees with Islam. Hussein also says, after coming to Islam and comparing it to the original teachings of Guatama, he doesn’t see any difference. Of course people didn’t start worshiping “Buddha” as if he were a god until much later on.

Now is Guatama really a prophet of Allah? Allah knows best.

Also according to Dr. Zakir Naik, the original teachings of Hinduism are also purely Monotheism. I cannot post links yet but you can find both Hussein Yee and Zakir Naik videos on youtube.

 

[greenhill]

You will never be able to know the full evolution of religion since Adam (as). Here is why:

14:9 Has not the news reached you, of those before you, the people of Nuh, `Ad, and Thamud And those after them None knows them but Allah. .....

Exact and to the point. '...None knows them but Allah'. Superb quote Ahmad H. I like very much. This matter has been in my mind for some time now but not gotten around to look deeper into this subject (as another thread pointed out about laziness). Now I know I need not embark on the time wasting journey.

And when I looked back at my comment, truthfully said, I believe that was my excuse for not researching the subject deeper. To just accept the holes for now (which later may be researched). But now I know that that knowledge has been taken away from us in no uncertain terms.

JazakhAllah khair.

Thank you to Panacea for posting this question. :thumbs_up

Peace :shade: