Oldest religion

Which religion is the oldest ?

Which religion is the oldest? There is a misconception about Islam. Some people say Islam started from 1400 years back only, brought by prophet Muhammad (may peace & blessing of Allah upon him). Therefore they say this is a new religion. According to some books the former Iranian religion and Hinduism are the oldest religions. In response to that I have collected a lot of data from the glorious Quran to justify that Islam is only the oldest religion on this earth.
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Hinduism: The word neither Hindu nor Hinduism is available in Hindu's holy books. According to encyclopedia Britannica library, 2004 deluxe editions, British writers in the year about 1830 were the first to introduce the word "Hinduism". So, how Hindus are claiming that Hinduism is the oldest religion. It means the name of this religion was not "Hinduism" before 200 years. It must be another name, which nobody knows today. However, their holy books (i.e. Rigveda) are the older books and back to not earlier than 1500 B.C. The fact about the present concept of polytheism and depiction (i.e. God's image), do not comply with their books. In this regard you may refer to the world-renowned scholar Dr. Zakir Naik who analyzed and proved according to their own Hindu holy books the existing idea/concept of God and image of God are nothing but myth and are against their own books and do not possess any authenticity. It means the concept of plenty gods and depiction and other present ideas/rituals were created none other than the priests of temple and individuals and do not comply with their books and do not have any authentic background.
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Christianity: Similarly, The word Christianity also not available in the book of Bible and like wise Judaism and Buddhism. People after some time started calling it. It was originally "Islam" only. we Muslims believe Prophet Jesus (alaih salam) as one of the messengers of Islam, and he had been sent to people of Israel only. We Muslims believe him as a prophet and messenger and we make no difference between Muhammad, Jesus, Moses, and Abraham etc (peace be upon them all). He was born 2000 years ago. Jesus (pbuh) never claimed that he is God and worshiped him. There is no single statement available in the holy Bible that Jesus himself proclaimed that he is god and worshipped him. The idea of three gods is entirely generated by the church. The word "trinity" doesn't exist in the holy bible at all. Jesus never claimed that he created all these worlds. He neither claimed that he has power over all these things nor he has knowledge of every thing. But of course he had limited power and knowledge of certain things and that also given by Allah. Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) had shown some great miracles with the help of Allah through Gabriel but he was helpless in front of the King and at the end Allah saved him. He was not crucified nor killed but taken up alive to the skies and he will be back to earth very soon. Since prophet Jesus (pbuh) did not had full power and knowledge of all things then how, Christians justify their concept of God and worshipped to him? Prophet Moses also has shown great miracles like the non living thing (i.e. staff) becomes a living snake and back to its original form and he stopped the river Nile with this staff and etc. Miracles cannot be taken as basis to define someone as God; otherwise Moses will be bigger God than Jesus. Christianity is not older than Judaism, and both are the corrupted form of Islam only.
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Every religion originally "Islam" only! According to holy Quran, chapter 10: 47, Allah has sent prophets to every nation. Only 25 prophets and four books' names have been mentioned in the holy Quran. According to some traditions Allah has sent around 124,000 prophets to all nations. It means Allah has sent prophet to every corner of the world wherever people had been inhabited. This also provide clear evidence that every religion of the world originally "Islam" only but later as time passes it had been corrupted.
Another evidence is that their religion's name has not been mentioned in their holy books. People after some time started calling it such as Hinduism etc. Only in Qur'an the name of religion "Islam" is clearly mentioned, which proves that Islam is only the right religion all other religions are the corrupted form of Islam only.
Another evidence is about their holy books; including the Hindu Holy Scriptures "Vedas" still today stick with the concept of monotheism [i.e. God is only one and unique (i.e. no image)] and prophesized about the last messenger Muhammad(pbuh). As the time passes their scholars and priests either misinterpreted intentionally or invented new things in the religion for their own benefits and mutual jealousy. They even write the book with their own hands and claimed that is from God. As a result a lot of religions come into existence but in actual they all are belong to the one religion of Allah (i.e. Islam) only.

What is the proof of Islam to be only the right religion and all others as false religions?The last book of Islam is the holy Quran. This is only the book in the world, which is completely memorized by millions of people and everyday and every prayer it is being recited. It is a huge document containing 30 parts, 114 chapters and 6666 verses, it is not possible to memorize without the help of Allah, hence it is a great sign of Allah. Therefore, from 1400 years not a single word of this book is been changed. Nobody can change a single word of this book, neither anything can be added to this book nor anything can be subtracted from it, because it is in the hearts of Muslims. Allah protected this book, because Quran is the last book of Islam and Muhammad is the last messenger, and no other prophet will be sent in the future. This is the one of the biggest authentic proof of this religion to be true and on the right path.
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Mankind was one single nation only! ---Mutual jealousy was the main cause of formation of many sects and religions! :
Refer to holy Quran, chapter 2: 213, 3:19, 23: 52 to 53, Mankind is one single nation only simply because all the mankind are the offspring of Adam. Those people who were given the books did not differ but out of mutual jealousy after knowledge had come to them. As a result many sects and religions come into existence. And each group and sect is rejoicing in what is with it and they are considering their path is only the true path of salvation. Majority of the people follow the religions of their parents and they will never accept that their parents were on the wrong path.
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Meaning of Islam: Islam is derived from the Arabic word "salema" which means peace, purity, surrender, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission or surrender to the will of God (i.e. Allah) and obedience to His law. Refer to holy Quran chapter 3: 83-85, 31: 20; which outline the meaning of religion is the obedience to Allah and bowing to Allah's will.
Please note that the Eternal God "Allah" is given the name "peace". So how this peace will be temporary. Therefore, whoever accepts Islam will get the ultimate peace in the form of eternal life and he will live with the God "Allah" forever. Upon rejection Allah will punish and put him into hell and obedience leads to paradise. Islam retains its emphasis on an uncompromising monotheism. Islam believes in the unseen god "Allah" who has all beautiful names. By any beautiful name in any language we can call Him. The word "Allah" is Arabic word for "the one and only true God". Since all other so called gods have depiction. Therefore Allah is one and only the true God who has no image, unique, sitting above the seven skies but present everywhere with His knowledge.

Everything and every phenomenon in the world is in the state of Islam and are "Muslims": Allah said that all the creatures in the heavens and on earth have willing or unwilling bowed to His Will (i.e. accepted Islam). Everything and every phenomenon in the world, other than man is administered totally by God made laws i.e. they are obedient to God and submissive to His laws i.e. they are in the state of Islam. Therefore, all of them are nothing but Muslims and are worshipping Allah.
Allah is claiming in the Quran is that all things that are in the heavens and on the earth including thunder render worship to Allah. There is not a thing but celebrates His praise. The sun, moon, stars; the hills, the trees, the animals, birds, herbs, angles and a great number among mankind and Jinn do worship to Allah. Not only are the things worshipping to Allah even their shadows too. We mankind has limited knowledge and power (i.e. limited hearing and vision capacity). The range of hearing for a healthy young person is 20 to 20000 Hertz. Humans cannot hear sounds of below or above this range. And therefore we don't understand the system how these things declare Allah's glory.

Prophet Adam was the first Muslim and first prophet of Islam
Obedience to Allah and bowing to Allah's will " had been imposed on man right from the start of Adam (alaih salaam). Allah imposed some laws on Adam even when he was in paradise. Allah ordered Adam not to approach nearer to one type of tree. Refer to holy Quran, chapter 2: 35, in this regard. Therefore, Adam was the first man and first Muslim who received the first instructions of Allah. When Adam descended to earth, Allah imposed some another laws to be obeyed by him and his offspring. Therefore he was the first prophet on this earth. So, Islam started right from prophet Adam (alaih salam) and completed during the period of Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, Islam is the oldest religion on this earth.
Allah imposed some laws on the offspring of Adam. For example, regarding marriage, Qabil and Habil, each had twin sister. According to the law each son should have married his brother's sister. Qabil did not like this and out of jealousy he killed Habil and Qabil becomes one of the losers. Allah accounts every deed even if it is equal to an atom on the Day of Judgment. (Refer to holy Quran, 7:19, 5: 27)

Name of "Muhammad" mentioned in earlier books (Bible, Torah etc)
Refer to holy Quran chapter 61: 6, in that Allah described that Prophet Muhammad's name prophesied in the earlier books such as holy Bible and Torah etc, which proves that Islam not started from Muhammad (pbuh) but of course it was completed during the period of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Jews were well aware of this coming of the prophet and therefore, they had been inhabited in the city of Medina , waiting for the messenger to come. Furthermore, according to the world-renowned scholar Dr. Zakir Naik, prophet Muhammad's name have even been mentioned in the holy books of Hindus at several places, describing the prophecy about his coming.

The name " Muslim" is given before 1400 years back!
Refer to holy Qur'an chapter 22: 78, which clearly stated that the name "Muslim" is given by Allah. This name was given not only in this Quran but also in earlier books. It means before Quranic revelation the people who were given Holy Bible, Torah and Zabour also used to call Muslims only. For this reason Allah described prophet Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus etc (peace be upon them all) as Muslims in various places in the holy Quran. For example, refer to holy Quran, chapter 3: 67, which describe that Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian and also not of pagans but he was a true Muslim. Also refer to chapter 5: 111, 3: 52; 10: 72,

What was the faith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)? Was he the founder of Islam?
According to holy Quran; chapter 27: 91-92; 2: 285, 3: 20, which clearly stated that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a Muslim and a true believer. Therefore, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon him) was not the founder of Islam, but he was the last prophet and the last messenger in the series of prophets. Since he was the last messenger therefore, this religion was completed during his time only. He did not bring any new religion but of course he just brought the latest code of Islam in the form of the holy Book, Quran.

What was the religion of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ?
Refer to Qur'an, chapter 3: 68, 22: 78, 4: 163; 2: 128; which clearly stated that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was very close to Prophet Abraham (alaih salam) because he was true follower of him. Therefore, this religion is not started from Muhammad (pbuh). The daily five times prayer will not be acceptable if Allah's blessing on prophet Muhammad (pbuh) including prophet Abraham (pbuh) is not sent/requested in each prayer. Due to some major religious rituals which are connected with prophet Abraham( alaiha salam) like Hajj and Ka'ba, the first Masjid on the earth, built by Abraham, therefore, this religion is also called "the religion of Abraham (alaih salam)".

Ka'ba is the proof that Islam not started from Muhammad (pbuh) only:
Another proof is the "Kaaba" of Mecca , which was built by Prophet Abraham (alaih salam) and his son Ismail (alaih salam) almost 4000 years back to worship and to face one God only. Refer to holy Quran; chapter 22: 26., 3: 96; 2: 127; Ka'ba has a great significance in Islam. The main purpose of Ka'ba is not to face other deities and false Gods. It is not God for Muslims but it is a direction, mosque (i.e. masjid) and also an international station for Muslim gathering (i.e. during Hajj). The basic fundamental of prayer is the direction. The prayer will be void and null if it is not directed towards the Ka'ba (i.e. not to face other deities and false gods). The fifth basic fundamental of Islam is Hajj, which is a must at least once in lifetime, will not be complete if Tawaf (going round the ka'ba) is not done. These are the clear evidences, which show that Islam is not started from Muhammad (pbuh) but of course it was completed and revised during his time.

Every nation has different rites and different lawful and forbidden things!
Refer to holy Quran, chapter 22: 67; 3: 83-85; 5: 48, 3: 50, which describe about the rituals of different nation. Torah and Bible were revealed to Jews. Moses and Jesus (pbuh) both were belong to children of Israel . Sometimes these rituals, religious practices, acts of worship and a list of Do's and Don'ts may differ from one nation to another. The most important point to be noted here is that these may differ but the core message of worshipping the one and only one God and none other had never been changed. (i.e. believe in monotheism and uniqueness, and avoid joining God "shirk" and do not take others as Lord beside Allah)
All the books other than Quran have been modified (i.e. added, but still it contain some of original words of Allah) by their priests/scholars/ head of state for their own benefits, earning and mutual jealousy. They even write the book with their own hands and claimed that is from Allah, refer to Quran, chapter 2: 79, Allah sent a set of rules and regulation according to the age of mankind and their civilization. Therefore, older nations have different rites, lawful and forbidden things. For example, children of Adam had different laws for marriage which is not legal now and different worships. The followers of earlier books did not memorize the words of Allah, and secondly it was not to public like Quran. The earlier books were in the hands of few people like the priests and head of states. Therefore, whenever they want something they had added, and claimed it is from the God. But in case of Quran, Allah's mercy is on the followers of it. They love the each word of Allah and therefore Allah helped Muslims to memorize it. Therefore, Allah preserved this book, since no other book will be sent in the future.
The above are some of the reasons to cancel the former scriptures to adopt. Therefore, The Latest scriptures cancels the older scriptures, For example, when Bible revealed it cancelled the Torah, people of that time should have followed that time Bible only and not Torah. Similarly, now Quran is the latest book and code. It is a must for every person to believe and respect all the books of Allah (Torah, Bible, psalms etc) but the latest code (i.e. Quran) should be followed in every worship (i.e. religious practices, rituals etc), belief and worldly affairs for their salvation.

Allah will accept Islam only, and reject all religions.
The name "Islam" is clearly mentioned in the Holy Quran. Moreover, the Holy Quran rejected all other so-called religions and instructed mankind to accept Islam only and that is only the way that leads to paradise. Please refer to Quran, chapter 3: 85,19; 5: 3; 6:125; 39:22; 61:7; 2:132-133, which clearly stated that Islam would be the only religion, which will be accepted by Allah, and all other religions will not be acceptable and their followers will be losers in the end.
After the advent of Muhammad (pbuh), all the people including people of books such as Jews, Christens and others, have no other option except to correct their present faith to match with Islam [(i.e. to believe in monotheism, no partners, uniqueness of god and etc) and to believe in Muhammad (pbuh) as last prophet and messenger and must practice their life in accordance with Quran and sunna] for their salvation, otherwise all will be losers and will be dwelled in the hell for ever. Refer to sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 284, Narrated by AbuHurayrah: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) observed: By Him in Whose hand is the life of Muhammad, he who amongst the community of Jews or Christians hears about me, but does not affirm his belief in that with which I have been sent and dies in this state (of disbelief), he shall be but one of the denizens of Hell-Fire". Also refer to holy Quran, chapter 3: 64 and 3:199, in this regard.
But before the advent of prophet Muhammad (pbuh), all the people who believed in their respective prophets and the books that had revealed before to them and to their prophet during their time and had true faith of monotheism [i.e. the God is only one who has no partners in His dominions, and unique (i.e. no image), the sustainer, the sovereign, the praise worthy, the most gracious and merciful and owner of day of recompense and etc], believed on unseen, and practiced their life in accordance with Allah's latest book that belong to their time and had good deeds heavier than the bad deeds then all those will also be successful and will be dwelled in paradise for ever. Refer to holy Quran, chapter 2: 62, in this regard.
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All prophets brought one and the same message!
Prophet Muhammad's message is not differ than other prophets! If you refer to holy Quran, chapter 21: 25, which says that all prophets brought one and the same message of uncompromising monotheism " La ilaha illa ana" [none has the right to be worshipped but I(Allah)] , so worship Me (alone and none else)"------ which shows that what prophet Muhammad brought was nothing but an advanced and the last revision of the religion Islam in the form of Quran.
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Adam to just before Noah (pbuh): Adam and Eve were the first couple on this earth and we are the offspring of Adam and Eve.. They both had seen and lived in the paradise for some time. Adam was the first prophet. They both were true Muslims and believers. During his period, they and their children also believe in one true God "Allah" only. The children of Adam until prophet Noah had never involved in shirk. They believe on unseen (i.e. God, angles, paradise, Hell) and believe in prophets. They ask for help from Allah only. They worship none but Allah and associate no partners with Him and don't take others as Lord besides Allah. They neither worshipped nor asked for help other than Allah (i.e. trees, animals, stars/moon/sun, dead pious persons, idols, pictures, etc). They do commit sins but not shirk "joining God". So all people in the start until prophet Noah were true Muslims and corruption (Joining God "shirk") was not there in their faith,
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Purpose of messengers: Joining God besides Allah "shirk" is the main cause of sending messengers; in this regard refer to holy Quran, Chapter 21: 25. Please note, "Joining god is the biggest sin for that Allah will never forgive. Allah used to send His messengers to correct the faith of the people whenever they forget/leave Allah, are involved in the biggest sin "joining God", not fearing Allah, not believing in the day of judgment and open disobedience before brining the punishment. And when this concept/belief becomes widespread then Allah started sending His messenger to correct the faith of people.
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Joining god: Worshipping or believing or asking for help other than Allah (i.e. idols, trees, animals, sun/stars/moon, pictures, deceased pious persons etc.), associating partners (i.e. to believe in more than one God or three god or many gods) and taking others as Lord besides Allah (i.e. loving rabbis, saints, etc equal to God and believing good from them) . All these types come under the name joining God.

Prophet Noah(pbuh ) was the first messenger of Islam!
Refer to holy Qur'an, Chapter 42: 13-14 and 4: 163; from which we can understand that prophet Noah (alaih salam) was the first messenger of Islam who had sent with the revelation. Please note Adam (alaih salam) was the first prophet but not the first messenger. Adam (alaih salam) had not been sent with the book. Refer to holy Quran which clearly stated that Allah sent revelations on prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the same manner as He (i.e. Allah) sent revelations on Prophet Noah,(Nuh), Abraham(Ibrahim) , Ishmael (Ismail), Isaac(Is'haq) , Jocob(Yaqub) , Jesus(Isa), Moses(Musa), Job(Ayyub), Jonah(Younus) , Aaron(Horon) , Solomon(Suleman) , David(Davood) (peace be upon them all) and many other which is not mentioned. And the era of prophet Noah is around 5000 years back (Allah knows better). Therefore Islam is the oldest religion.
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The period of Noah(peace be upon him): All people in the start were true believers and they were on the right path and corruption (Joining God "shirk") was not there in their faith. During the period of Noah (pbuh), most of the people had very much impressed with the pious persons. And even after their death they used to go to their graves and asked for help. After some time, they started fabricating the idols or pictures of those dead pious persons and kept in their homes and shops for blessings/benefit. And after some time, their offspring started worshipping the same and consequently considering them as God or one of the Gods. This is the turning point of the start of the biggest sin "joining god".
For the above stated reason, Allah had sent Noah, the first messenger on this earth to correct the faith of those people and gave warning against "joining God". Prophet Noah preached his people not to worship the idols but fear Allah and obey him. He preached almost 600 years (Allah knows better) before the great flood took place and all his efforts went futile except a few believed him. During his presence Allah drowned all those who worshipped idols and didn't obey him but Allah saved Noah and his followers.

The series of Messengers: Allah has stated in the glorious Qur'aan that Islam is the same religion, which Allah had commanded on prophet Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus (peace be upon them all) and etc. There is a series of prophets and messengers, which come one after another, but only few mentioned in the Quran. According to some traditions Allah sent around 124,000 prophets to correct and guide the faith of people. After prophet Noah's death, some time after again corruption occurred in religion and people started worshipping the idols. Allah sent Abraham (alaih salam) to correct the faith of people. Prophet Abraham resumed this religion Islam and Allah gave him "Suhoof". During his period "ka'ba" in Mecca constructed and Allah sent substantial set of rules and regulation. Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, reflects prophet Ibrahim and Ismail(alaih salam). After some time, Allah sent Dawood(alaih salam) who also continued the same religion, and Allah gave him the book "Zabour" . After some time, Allah sent Moses (pbuh) and gave him "Torah". And also he resumed the same religion Islam and he also prophesied about the last coming messenger Muhammad (pbuh). And the penultimate messenger is Jesus (peace be upon him), and Allah gave him the book "Bible". All these books described about the same religion Islam and not only that it also prophesied about the last coming messenger Muhammad( peace be upon him). This is not the new religion, which started from Muhammad (pbuh), but certainly this religion is completed during the period of Muhammad (pbuh). Please note prophet Muhammad is the last messenger in the chain of messenger. In this regard please refer to holy Qur'an, chapter, 42: 13.

Muhammad (pbuh) was the universal Messenger and the last messenger
Refer to Holy Qur'an; chapter 33: 40, and 34: 28; which are clearly stated that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the last and the universal messenger, who had been sent to the whole mankind with one and same message of Islam. Since prophet Muhammad was the last messenger, therefore this religion was not started from Muhammad (pbuh).
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Short Definition of a Muslim: A Muslim is one who worships none but Allah and associates no partners with Him and doesn't take others as Lord besides Allah and believes in prophets and establishes physical prayers and performing monetary worship. By Shahada (i.e. saying there is no God but Allah and Muhammad his messenger) a person becomes a Muslim. Shahada is a form of an acceptance of surrendering to Allah and prophet. Please note that a Muslim will become a believer upon practicing the daily religious and worldly life in accordance with the Allah's book (i.e. respecting Do's and Don'ts) and prophet's sunna (i.e. to follow the instructions of prophet Muhammad in every action).
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Note: The above commentary and headings are compiled by me which is my interpretation to sahih hadiths and holy Qur'an, if you find any word or a sentence against any Qur'anic verse or sahih hadiths then consider my words are baseless and discard it.

Suggestions and corrections are most welcome.
Thank you

Yours brother in Islam
Abdul Hameed khan