Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

as-salam walekum

my question is:-

before rasululah (s.a.) came on this earth by which named did mumeens were identify?please reply me soon

thanks khuda-hafiz

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Answer:

Allah has chosen the name “Muslims” for the believers

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

All the Prophets who were sent to this earth always spread the deen of Islam, and their followers were always called by the name Allah had chosen for the believers: Muslims.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 22 Surah Hajj verse 77-78:O you who have believed, do ‘rukooh’ (bow down) and do ‘sajdah’ (prostration), and worship your Lord Allah Alone, and do righteous deeds: it may be that you attain true success! Exert your utmost for the cause of Allah, as one should. He has chosen you for His service, and has not laid on you any hardship in your religion. Therefore, be steadfast in the religion of your father Abraham. Allah had named you ‘muslims’ before this, and has named you (muslims) in this Quran also, so that the Messenger may be a witness in regard to you, and you may be witnesses in regard to the rest of mankind.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse 67:Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was a Muslim, sound in his faith. And he was not of those who set up partners with Allah.

In light of the above aayahs, the believers have always been called by the name Allah has chosen for them, that is, Muslims. All the other names like Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, Ismailis, Itna-Asharis, etc. are the creation of man and have absolutely no basis and authority in Islam.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan