The Origin of Islam

To so many, Prophet Muhammad is the founder of Islam. In fact, some would go as far as tagging him a charlatan who created Islam to serve his selfish purpose! Well the allegations are false. Islam was founded by God Himself. That's to tell you that Islam is as old as man. The Quran says:
"The Religion before God  is Islam (submission to His Will): Nor did the People of the Book dissent therefrom except through envy of each other, after knowledge had come to them. But if any deny the Signs of  God, God is swift in calling to account." Q3:25
If you closely observe the verse above, you would notice there is a mention of 'the people of the book'. This phrase refers to Christians and the Jews! They are the people of the book because God had sent series of books through prophets and messengers to them way long before the prophet Muhammad (SAW) came with instructions and directives on how He wants to be worshipped. Just as He had done with the nations of the past,God had sent the prophet to the world in his mother tongue which happens to be Arabic. This is why the Quran came in Arabic and to maintain its origonality,it was left UNTOUCHED in the language in which it was revealed...not a single letter is added or removed.
Hence,whenever you come across a translated copy,you would observe the following is written on it: 'the interpretations of the meanings of the Quran'. The word 'Islam' is like the word 'present' or 'will' that have more than a meaning but the meanings tilts or tend to deliver almost the same message or meaning.Take will for instance.
'Will' can be a verb that gives the idea of what a person wishes to do in the nearest future. On the other hand, it can be used as a noun... the name of a document that contains how one wishes his/her property be shared after death.
Likewise, Islam means peace from the word 'salaam'  but it derives a better interpretation when you are talking in terms of religion from the verb 'salama' which means 'he submitted'.
Islam is a total way of life for all that have submitted themselves DOGMATICALLY to God Almighty. So,if you truly believe and submit TOTALLY to the will of God, an Arab would call you a 'Muslim' which means 'a person that have submitted '. The Quran says:
"The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in God, His angels, His books, and His messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
From the above verse,it quite clear that Islam can't be founded by the prophet Muhammad (SAW) considering the fact that he and us, the Muslims have to believe in PROPHETS NOT A SINGLE PROPHET AND IN BOOKS NOT IN A SINGLE BOOK.
Muslims believe that from the inception of creation,from Adam the first man,God had been sending prophets and messengers to mankind....all through to Noah, Abraham, David and Jesus straight down to the prophet Muhammad (SAW). These noblemen came to the world to preach the same theme which is that: There's no one worth worship except God Almighty. They were brothers in progress, hence,submission to God Almighty came in many shapes and sizes.
For the people of Lot,apart from worshipping God only, there was the challenge of gay men and...possibly lesbian women. Apart from regular worship,each prophet and messenger had a challenge or two to handle. This is why I always reply my Christian friends that I already accepted Jesus that I wouldn't be a true Muslim if I don't, His and many other prophets' stories are contained in the Quran.
" Say: "We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets, from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam)."" Q3:84.
These elements as contained in this verse form the article of faith in Islam. The articles of faith are the believe in the Onness of God Almighty,His prophets and messengers,His books, the angels,destiny...whether good or bad.
So,contrary to popular opinion,Islam originated from our Creator Himself! The words Allah,Islam,Muslims are arabic words that have interpretable meanings in any language. So,Next time you see or hear anyone trying to mar the reputation of Islam or the prophet's, tell them the truth...the fact that Islam is as old as man and that ISLAM WAS NOT FOUNDED BY PROPHET MUHAMMAD  BUT BY GOD OUR CREATOR. Salaam.