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:

what is the meaning of the term Muslim? Can it be said that Jesus, Moses, Ibrahim and all other prophets as well were also Muslim?

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Answer:

Were all prophets muslims

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: what is the meaning of the term Muslim?

The Arabic term ‘muslim’ means ‘to derive peace and salvation through the willing submission of one’s will to the Will of Allah Subhanah’.

Your Question: Can it be said that Jesus, Moses, Ibrahim and all other prophets as well were also Muslim?

One can claim, declare, and say with absolute and total conviction that all the Prophets of Allah, from the very first man and the father of all mankind, Prophet Adam (a.s.) to the Last and Final Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws) were all, without an iota of a doubt, ‘muslims’!

The Lord Most High, Most Majestic has time and time again in His Glorious Quran referred to all the Prophets as ‘muslims’:

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verses 130-137:

130 And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him (Ibraheem (a.s.)) We chose and rendered pure in this world: and he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the righteous.

131 Behold! His Lord said to him (Ibraheem (a.s.)): "Islim” (Bow thy will to me)" He said: "’Aslamto’ (I bow my will) to the Lord and Cherisher of the universe."

132 And this was the legacy that Abraham left to his sons (Ismail and Ishaaq); and so did Jacob (who said); "O my sons! Allah hath chosen the faith for you; then die not except in the faith of Islam."

133 Were ye witnesses when death appeared before Jacob? Behold he said to his sons: "What will ye worship after me?" They said: "We shall worship thy Allah; the Allah of thy fathers Abraham, Ismail, and Isaac; The One (True) Allah, to Him we bow as ‘muslims’.

134 That was a People that hath passed away. They shall reap the fruit of what they did and ye of what ye do! of their merits there is no question in your case!

135 They say: "Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (to salvation)." Say thou (O Prophet Mohamed (saws)): "Nay! (I would rather) the religion of Abraham, the true; and he joined not gods with Allah."

136 Say ye: "We believe in Allah, and the Revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses, and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between one and another of them, and we bow to Allah (in Islam)."

137 So if they believe as ye believe, they are indeed on the Right Path; but if they turn back it is they who are in schism; but Allah will suffice thee as against them, and He is the All-Hearing the All- Knowing.

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 2 Surah Baqarah verses 127-128:

127 And remember Abraham and Ismail raised the foundations of the Sacred House (with this prayer): "O Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us for Thou art the All-Hearing the All-Knowing.

128 O Our Lord! Make of us ‘Muslims’ (bowing to Thy Will), and of our progeny a people ‘Muslim’ (bowing to Thy Will); and show us our places for the celebration of (due) rites; and turn unto us (in mercy); for Thou art the Oft-Returning Most-Merciful.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verses 83-85:

83 Do they seek for other than the Religion of Allah? While all creatures in the heavens and on earth have willing or unwilling accepted Islam (bowed to Allah’s Will); and to Him shall they all be brought back.

84 Say: "We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and (all) the Prophets from their Lord; we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah do we bow our will (in Islam)."

85 If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah) never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who are losers.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan