The Top Ten Myths about Islam

5. Islam only began 1400 years ago.

The root of the word Islam (sa-la-ma) is the same root that is shared with the Arabic word meaning peace and security - salam. In essence, Islam means, submission to the will of God and encompasses the peace and security that comes from living life according to God's will. Thus throughout history anyone who practised monotheism by submitting to the will of God is considered a Muslim. Human beings have been practicing Islam since the creation of Adam. Throughout the ages God sent prophets and messengers to guide and teach their own people. The main message of all the prophets had always been that there is only One True God and He alone is to be worshipped. These prophets start with Adam and include Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them all. God says in the Holy Quran:

"We did not send before you (O Muhammad) any messenger but We revealed to him: 'none has the right to be worshipped except I, therefore worship Me.'" (Quran 21:25)

However, the true message of these prophets was either lost or got corrupted over time. Even the most recent books, the Torah and the Gospel were adulterated and hence they lost their credibility to guide the people to the right path. Therefore 600 years after Jesus, God revived the lost message of previous prophets by sending the Prophet Muhammad with His final revelation, the Holy Quran, to all of mankind. God Almighty says in the Quran:

"We have not sent you (O Muhammad) but to all mankind as a giver of good news and as a warner, but most people do not know." (Quran 34:28)

"Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers." (Quran 3:85)