Was the Worship of Allah Alone Present Before Prophethood?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Was the worship of Allah alone present before Prophethood? And how did the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) worship during that time?

Answer

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate.

The Period of Fatra

The time between Sayyidina ‘Isa (peace be upon him), Jesus the son of Mary, and the coming of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) is known as the period of Fatra. This refers to a period when there was a gap between messengers.

The disciples of Sayyidina ‘Isa (peace be upon him) did not, overall, preserve the message that he came with. Confusion arose from the first generations onward, and over time, the call to Tawhid among the general public among his followers became altered. When the original message became corrupted and what prevailed was other than Tawhid, this period came to be described as the time of Fatra.

The people living in that era are commonly referred to as Ahl al-Fatra, meaning those who lived in the interval between messengers, when the clear message of Divine Oneness was not manifest in their lands.

Remaining Followers of the Abrahamic Way

Despite this general situation, some individuals continued to follow remnants of the Abrahamic way, the Hanifiyya, the way of Sayyidina Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Among them were some Christians and others, including individuals among the Arabs.

What remained of this way were its general principles: calling to the worship of one God alone without partners, turning to the one true God in worship, and upholding truthfulness. However, the detailed guidance of revelation was no longer present.

Belief Among the Forefathers of the Prophet

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and his forefathers, according to mainstream understanding, were believers. Allah Most High says,

“And you’re going from one prostrating womb to another.” [Quran, 26:219]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also explained in multiple hadiths that he was sent from the best of people. The basis of virtue is belief in God.

Because of this, there were believers present during that time. There was also a small but recognized number of monotheists among the Arabs in general and among Quraysh in particular. Sayyidah Khadija, for example, was among those known for such a belief.

How the Prophet Worshipped Before Revelation

The scholars discussed how the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) worshipped before revelation. Imam Zurqani addresses this issue in his commentary on al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyya. The question arises: how did the Prophet pray, how did he worship, and what rites or rituals did he follow?

The summary answer given by the scholars is that we do not know the exact details.

What is known is that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was devoted to worship and reflection, not only in the cave of Hira but even from childhood.

Imam Sharaf al-Din al-Busiri mentions in the Hamziyya that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was accustomed to solitude, devotion, and worship even as a child, for that is the way of the most noble. When guidance becomes rooted in the heart, the limbs follow in devotion.

The Limits of What Is Known

The scholars discussed possible explanations for the nature of his worship before Prophethood. Imam Zurqani in al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyya and Ibn ‘Abidin in his Hashiya quote a number of scholarly opinions. Some scholars engaged in speculative ijtihad, suggesting that certain earlier rites may have remained, but there is no rigorously transmitted report detailing exactly how he worshipped.

For this reason, the scholars ultimately conclude that the exact form of his worship at that time is unknown.

What is clear is that he turned to the One Lord.

Turning to Divine Oneness

Allah Most High says,

“And He found you at a loss and guided you.” [Quran, 93:7]

This indicates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) was guided to Divine Oneness and to turning to Allah alone. This was the essence of what he practiced in the cave and before the cave.

However, the detailed manner of living a fully God-centered life, both in worship and in conduct, requires revelation. That detailed guidance came with Prophethood, not only for the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) himself but for all of creation.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.