Who are those considered Muslims before the advent of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him? And does this apply to someone who followed the law of Jesus, peace be upon him, without distortion, and had not heard of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him?

Islam has two meanings: general and specific. The general meaning is submission to Allah by following His messengers, and this is the religion of all prophets. As for the specific meaning, it is the religion of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and everyone who witnesses his prophethood must follow him, even the prophets themselves, were they alive. And whoever adheres to the abrogated (religion) after the advent of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and abandons the abrogating (religion), is not upon the religion of Islam.

As for one whom the call of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, did not reach, they are excused. If they were monotheists, they will be saved and enter Paradise. If they were polytheists, scholars have differed concerning them, and the most preponderant opinion is that they will be tested on the Day of Judgment. An example of monotheists before the prophethood is Zayd ibn Amr ibn Nufayl, who was upon the pure religion of Abraham, and he is among the people of Paradise.