Islam Precedes Muhammad's Mission

Islam Precedes Muhammad’s Mission

Editorial verification status: This claim atom is extracted from an explanatory audiovisual source, and has now been linked to the closest books within Shahrur’s project at the book level. For precise academic citation, consult the original book and the original episode together.

Formulation of the claim

Islam, understood as surrender to God, existed before Muhammad and before the Muhammadan message.

Explanation

Shahrur links Islam to being an existential stance toward God, not a name exclusive to the community of Muhammad. He therefore cites Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Jesus, and others as “Muslims” in the Qur’anic text. The idea is that Islam is not a historical event that began with the mission, but an origin extending through human history.

Its place in the episode’s argument

This atom uncouples “Islam” from “later religious identity,” and establishes a broader understanding that includes all earlier monotheists.

Limits of the claim

This does not deny that Muhammad’s mission brought a specific law or a new stage in the history of revelation.

Islam Precedes Muhammad's Mission