Is the origin of all religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) Hz. Ibrahim's Hanif religion?

"There is only one religion. There is only one religion coming from Hz. Adam to Hz. Muhammad (pbuh). There were not separate religions like Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Islam is the name of Hz. Ibrahim's Hanif religion. Hanif means Islam. It means to surrender to Allah. The religion that existed during the time of Hz. Isa (Jesus) was Hz. Ibrahim's Hanif religion." Is it true?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The word "Islam" is used in various senses. The special name of the religion sent toHz. Muhammad (pbuh) is also Islam. Therefore, the name of the religion sent to Hz. Muhammad (pbuh) and the religion of Hz. Ibrahim are different. Although the names of those religions are different, they are the same in terms of basic issues. However, there are differences in detail.

All prophets from Hz. Adam to Hz. Muhammad (pbuh) conveyed the true religion to people. The principles of belief, which are the foundations of the religion, remained the same. However, the decrees related to worshipping and worldly affairs, which are called shari’ah, changed based on the necessities each era and the needs of people. Allah Almighty sent a different shari’ah to every ummah taking into consideration the living style and interests of the people of every era. The following is stated in verse 48 of the chapter of al-Maida:

“To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way.”

Badiuzzaman Said Nursi explains the issue as follows:  

“Sacred laws change according to the ages. Indeed, in one age different prophets may come, and they have come. Since subsequent to the Seal of the Prophets, his Greater Shari’a is sufficient for all peoples in every age, no need has remained for different laws.”

For instance, Jews can worship only in synagogues and Christians only in churches but Muslims can perform prayers anywhere. The tallow of animals like cattle and sheep was haram in the shari’ah of Hz. Musa (Moses) but it is halal in our religion.  

Hanif religion is a true religion based on the principle of tawhid (oneness); it is represented by Hz. Ibrahim.

The word "Hanif" has various meanings but the following meaning is generally accepted: "a person who turns toward the truth; a person who is on the straight path". In the Islamic terminology, it is the name given to people who turn away from all kinds of deviation and idolatry in the Era of Jahliyya and who believe in one Allah by following the religion of Hz. Ibrahim. 

The word "Hanif" is mentioned in ten places in the singular form as "hanif" and two places in the plural form as "hunafa" in the Quran. In eight verses, the word hanif is mentioned related to Hz. Ibrahim. For instance, the following is stated in two of them:

"They say: ‘Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (To salvation).’ Say thou: ‘Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah!’" (al-Baqara, 2/135),

"Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah´s (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah." (Aal-i Imran, 3/67)

Allah Almighty ordered the Prophet (pbuh) to follow Ibrahim’s religion Hanif, that is, to continue his way, as follows:

"Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah… So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah." (an-Nahl, 16/120,123)

Therefore, the word hanif is also used for the religion of Islam and the attribute of "hanif" is given to a sincere Muslim. As a matter of fact, the Prophet states the following:

"I was sent with the tolerant hanif religion (al-Hanifiyya as-Samha)." (Ibn Hanbal, V/266. See also, Bukhari, Iman, 29; Tirmidhi, Manaqib 32, 64; Ibn Hanbal III/442)

During the Era of Jahiliyya, before the Prophet (pbuh) was given the duty of prophethood, when idolatry was dominant in the Arabian Peninsula and people were in perversion, there were some people, though very few, who followed Hz. Ibrahim’s religion Hanif by turning away from idols and perversion and who searched the true religion. The resources of Islamic history mention them and their activities. One of those people was Waraqa b. Nawfal.

 

HANIF RELIGION

It is the religion based on the principle of oneness and represented by Hz. Ibrahim.

The word "Hanif" has various meanings but the following meaning is generally accepted: "a person who turns toward the truth; a person who is on the straight path". In the Islamic terminology, it is the name given to people who turn away from all kinds of deviation and idolatry in the Era of Jahliyya and who believe in one Allah by following the religion of Hz. Ibrahim.

The word "Hanif" is mentioned in ten places in the singular form as "hanif" and two places in the plural form as "hunafa" in the Quran. In eight verses, the word hanif is mentioned related to Hz. Ibrahim. For instance, The following is stated in two of them" They say: ‘Become Jews or Christians if ye would be guided (To salvation).’ Say thou: ‘Nay! (I would rather) the Religion of Abraham the True, and he joined not gods with Allah!’" (al-Baqara, 2/135), "Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah´s (Which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah." (Aal-i Imran, 3/67).

Allah Almighty ordered the Prophet (pbuh) to follow Ibrahim’s religion Hanif, that is to continue his way, as follows: "Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah… So We have taught thee the inspired (Message), "Follow the ways of Abraham the True in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah." (an-Nahl, 16/120,123). Therefore, the word hanif is also used for the religion of Islam and the attribute of "hanif" is given to a sincere Muslim. As a matter of fact, the Prophet states the following: "I was sent with the tolerant hanif religion (al-Hanifiyya as-Samha)."  (Ibn Hanbal, V/266. See also, Bukhari, Iman, 29; Tirmidhi, Manaqib 32, 64; Ibn Hanbal III/442)

During the Era of Jahiliyya, before the Prophet (pbuh) was given the uty of prophethood, when idolatry was dominat in the Arabian Peninsula and people were in perversion, there were some people, though very few, who followed Hz. Ibrahim’s religion Hanif by turning away from idols and perversion and who searched the true religion. The resources of Islamic history mention them and their activities. One of those people was Waraqa b. Nawfal.

Ahmet ÖNKAL

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