Why did Islam not appear from the beginning of time, since the era of Adam (peace be upon him)? And was there a prayer, or something similar to it, for which its ترك (abandonment) would be punished?
Islam is the common religion proclaimed by all prophets, and it was not interrupted by previous heavenly messages. The Qur’an affirms that Islam is a complementary religion to what preceded it. Believers among the followers of previous prophets were Muslims in the general sense, and they enter Paradise through their Islam. If Allah informs us that the religion with Him is Islam, it is because it is the creed of monotheism based on the values of truth, justice, and virtue, and all messengers called to monotheism. The laws of the previous prophets and messengers (juristic rulings) were abrogated and replaced with the advent of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, for Allah اختصاص him with a complete law suitable for every time and place, and commanded people to follow it. What was abrogated from the previous laws were some details, but the general principles, universals, and foundations of the laws are one and agreed upon. The great Islam is the religion of all prophets, it appeared with the beginning of prophethood from the time of Adam, peace be upon him, and all messages called to it in terms of beliefs and fundamental rulings such as prayer, fasting, zakat, and Hajj, which existed among previous nations. The difference in some rulings or details was according to Allah’s will for His servants at that time, as the previous laws were temporary for a specific time and according to what was beneficial for the servants.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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