Distinguishing Qualities of Islam | Part 1

There are explicit texts in the Qur’an as well as the Hadeeths of the Prophet (ﷺ) which indicate that all religions called to the same basic principle, to worship Allah alone in exclusion to all others. Allah sent prophets to mankind, and each one’s message abrogated the one prior to it, from the apostleship of Noah (AS) until the commissioning of Muhammad (ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Indeed, I am to the other prophets as is a man who built a house beautifully and perfectly, except one brick which was not placed in its corner. People circle and admire it, but say, ‘If only a brick was put in this place!’ I am that brick, and I am the last of all prophets.” [al-Bukhari]

 No prophet or messenger of Allah will appear after Muhammad (ﷺ). The only exception to this is Jesus (AS). When the Final Hour draws near, he will descend to the earth and fill it with justice and equity as it was filled with oppression and tyranny. He will not convey a new religion, but rather he will rule with Islam. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“The Hour will not be established until the son of mary (Jesus) descends as a just ruler judging with the religion of Islam. He will break the cross and kill the pig. He will abolish the jizyah and there will be a surplus of wealth until no one will accept it.” [al-Bukhari]

All Messengers called to the oneness of Allah (SWT) and disproved association of any partners to Him in His dominion or worship. They also proclaimed Allah as being far removed from every imperfection. They called their peoples to worship Him alone without any intermediaries. They reformed mankind and guided them to a path through which they would achieve true happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah (SWT) says:

He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Noah, and that which We have inspired to you (O Muhammad (ﷺ)), and that which We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus, saying you should establish the religion (i.e., to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions in it. [42:13]

 Islam has abrogated all previous religions, and it is the last religion which Allah chose for humanity. Allah will not accept anything else from His slaves. Allah (SWT) says:

And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad (ﷺ)) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scriptures that came before it and a witness over them. [5:48]

Because it is the last religion, Allah has promised to preserve and guard it from all distortions until the Day of Judgment, contrary to previous religions which were sent at specific times to specific people. Allah (SWT) says:

Indeed, it is We who have sent down the Reminder (i.e., the Quran and Sunnah) and indeed it is We who will guard and protect it. [15:9]

The Messenger of Islam, Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last of all messengers. No messenger will come after him. Allah (SWT) says:

Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets. [33:40]

 This does not mean that Islam does not regard or believe in the previous messengers or revelations; rather, Jesus (AS) conveyed to his people the same message Moses (AS) conveyed to his people; and Muhammad (ﷺ) conveyed the same message which Jesus (AS) conveyed to his people: to worship Allah alone, while associating no partners with Him. Muhammad (ﷺ) was the last of prophets and messengers. Muslims are commanded to believe in all the messengers and Divine Scriptures. Whoever rejects any of them commits disbelief and is not considered a Muslim. Allah (SWT) says:

Verily, those who disbelieve in Allah and His Messengers and wish to make distinction between Allah and His Messengers, saying, ‘We believe in some but reject others,’ and wish to adopt a way in between. They are in truth disbelievers. [4:150-151]

The religion of Islam completed and perfected the legislations which came before it. As these religions were meant only for a specific nation and time, they are not suited for the present world and times. Islam, a universal and eternal religion perfected and completed those aspects which were limited to past peoples and times, affirming those aspects suitable for all times and peoples. Allah (SWT) says:

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [5:3]

For this reason, it is the best religion. Allah (SWT) says:

You [Muslims] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin all that Islam has ordained and forbid all that Islam has forbidden, and you believe in Allah. And had the People of the Scripture [Jews and Christians] believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are disobedient and rebellious. [3:110]

Islam is a global religion that addresses all of humanity. It was not revealed for a specific race or class, but rather one in which all people are regarded as equal. There is no segregation based upon color, language, location, and lineage; rather, it is based upon specific beliefs which all people share, keeping them united. Whoever believes in Allah as the One and only true Lord, that Islam is the correct religion and that Muhammad (ﷺ) is the last messenger, he is regarded as a Muslim, irrespective of race, color or ethnicity. Allah (SWT) says:

And We have not sent you (0 Muhammad (ﷺ)) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all humanity. [134:281]

As for the previous messengers, they were sent to their specific nations. Allah (SWT) says about Noah (AS)

Indeed, We sent Noah to his people. [7:59]

About Prophet Hud, Allah (SWT) says:

And to (the People of) `Aad (We sent) their brother Hood. He said: ‘O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other god but Him!’ [17:65]

About Salih, Allah (SWT) says:

And to (the People of) Thamud (We sent) their brother Salih. He said: ‘O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other God but Him!’ [7:73]

About Lot, Allah (SWT) says:

And (remember) Lot, when he said to his people… [7:80]

About Shu’aib, Allah (SWT) says:

And to (the People of) Midian, (We sent) their brother Shu’aib. [17:85]

 About Moses, Allah (SWT) says:

Then after them We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs. [7:103]

 And about Jesus, Allah (SWT) says:

And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary. said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Torah (which came) before me.’ [61:6]

Due to the fact that Islam is a global religion and that it calls mankind at large, Allah commands Muslims to convey its message to the world. Allah (SWT) says:

Thus We have made you [Muslims], a just and the best nation, that you be witnesses over mankind, and the Messenger (Muhammad (ﷺ)) be a witness over you. [2:143]