Islam did not originate from Ishmael, although he played a significant role in its history. Islam was founded through Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a descendant of Ishmael, who received the final revelation, the Qur’an, from Allah. While Ishmael contributed to key Islamic traditions, including the building of the Kaaba, it was Muhammad (PBUH) who brought Islam to its complete form.
Islam has always been sparking everyone’s curiosity about its roots, and how it has miraculously started and stood the test of time and place. Not only that, but also there are some controversies raised over the Islam’s early origin, and the religious figures who participated in laying its foundation.
Here, we tackle the controversial question: ‘Did Ishmael Start Islam?!’ as it can be a confusing point to some people, as they think that Ishmael was the founder of Islam, because of his great, meaningful part in Islam. So, let’s shed light on Prophet Ishmael (Ismael) in Islam, and the inspiring role he played, deducing at the end the right, proper answer to this question.
Here we will learn the following:
Was Ishmael the Founder of Islam?
There is a debate about whether Prophet Ishmael is the founder of Islam. Seemingly, its apparent reason can be his evident, meaningful part in Islam, whether his spiritual, and ethical lessons to inspire, or his actual participation in Islamic rituals, like building the Ka’ba, the sacrifice, the Safa and Marwa, and so on.
Other ones, like the Jews, say that Ishmael is the founder of Islam, referring to the fact that Muhammad (PBUH) was a descendant of Prophet Ishmael; the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said: “Indeed, Allah chose Kinanah from the children of Isma’il, and He chose Quraish from Kinanah, and He chose Hashim from Quraish, and He chose me from Banu Hashim.”
However, they claim so, because they insistently refer to Prophet Ishmael and his descendants- the Muslims and the Arabs, they mean- as ‘the others’, as the Jews are descendants of Isaac. Therefore, they don’t duly respect or believe the Ismael’s descendents, in a way of illogical discrimination.
On the other hand, we- the Muslims- don’t discriminate between any of the prophets, or messengers. Rather, we believe in all of them, as they are sent by Allah with the one, ultimate message of worshiping Allah alone, without any partners, nor associates- the essential belief of all scriptures:
[The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers. All of them have believed in Allāh and His angels and His books and His messengers, [saying], “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and we obey. [We seek] Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the [final] destination.]
Is Ishmael a prophet in islam
Ismael in Islam is an honorable prophet and messenger of monotheism in essence, like all other prophets; his role is mentioned clearly in Qur’an: [And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise, and he was a messenger and a prophet.]
Of course, his part is such significant and meaningful in Islam; yet, Qur’an is the Scripture of Islam, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Allah’s Messenger- to whom Qur’an was revealed; so, he (PBUH) is the founder of Islam- that message to all humanity, and the complete, last religion of all, with those certain rulings, and entire rituals which all the true believers of Allah adhere to, till the Judgment Day.
[Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.]
As the Torah is revealed to Moses, and the Bible is revealed to Jesus, the Qur’an is revealed as ‘divinely preserved’ to Muhammad as a mercy for all mankind, as the Torah and Bible got distorted and fabricated by humans, sorrowfully.
Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger to all peoples, calling them for Islam; he dedicated his whole life to guiding people to the morals, meanings, and teachings of Islam- the seal religion of monotheism- as the encompassing, only religion which Allah accepts.
[…This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islām as religion…]
[And whoever desires other than Islām as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.]
How Did the Islamic Religion Start?
We can say that the Islamic religion started in 610 C.E. since Allah sent down Angel Jibreel with the first ayahs of the revelation of Qur’an to Muhammad (PBUH) at age of 40, to be Allah’s Messenger. He (PBUH) was in Hiraa Cave where he used to contemplate and seclude from others, supplicating Allah, the One and Only God. The first revealed to the Prophet at that time is:
[Recite in the name of your Lord who created- Created man from a clinging substance- Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -Who taught by the pen-Taught man that which he knew not.]
Afterwards, the Qur’an kept being revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in certain times, and gradually, not all at once; as Qur’an is the guidelines needed for every human situation faced, and the enlightening lessons to be taught deliberately to people:
[And [it is] a Qur’ān which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period. And We have sent it down progressively.]
Then, he (PBUH) was commanded to call his closest people for Islam, and then those around, till publicly declaring the message of Islam to all people, and teaching them its commands and prohibitions. Prophet Muhammad is Allah’s messenger for all humanity, with the guiding Qur’an to hold onto it, till the Judgments’ Day, as there will be no more prophets, nor messengers. Before his death, he (PBUH) said: “I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold onto them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet.”
Conclusion:
Prophet Ishmael (Ismael) is not the founder of Islam but holds a significant role within it. In Islam, Ishmael is honored as a prophet and messenger who upheld monotheism, contributed to key Islamic rituals like the building of the Kaaba, and exemplified obedience to Allah.
However, Islam as a complete religion was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who was a descendant of Ishmael and is regarded as the seal of all prophets, with the Qur’an as its divinely preserved scripture.
Islam officially began in 610 CE when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the first revelation from Allah through Angel Jibreel in the Cave of Hira. As the last and complete religion, Islam was perfected and conveyed through the teachings of Muhammad, emphasizing submission to Allah and encompassing all aspects of life, making him the true founder of Islam as we know it today.
