When someone asks me “How old is Islam?” it feels like they are asking something much deeper than a number. On the surface, it’s easy to say: Islam is around 1,400 years old, dating back to the time when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ received the first revelation in the cave of Hira. But every time I try to answer this question, I realize that Islam cannot be contained within dates on a timeline. It’s not just history. It’s not just 1,400 years.
It’s older than me, older than you, older than mountains, older than the stars. It is as old as humanity itself.
Islam Did Not Begin in Makkah
Yes, the final message of Islam was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in 610 CE. That was the moment the Qur’an descended and the final seal of prophethood began. But if we stop there, we miss the bigger truth.
The Qur’an tells us that every prophet — from Adam to Nuh, from Ibrahim to Musa, from Isa to Muhammad — came with one message: “Worship Allah alone.” This surrender, this submission, is Islam. It means that the “age” of Islam stretches all the way back to the beginning of time.
Adam عليه السلام, the very first human, was a Muslim. He submitted. Nuh عليه السلام called his people for 950 years, begging them to turn back to Allah — he was a Muslim. Ibrahim عليه السلام left everything behind for Allah, and Allah named him “hanif” — a man of pure faith. Musa عليه السلام parted the sea not by his strength, but by trust in Allah. Isa عليه السلام healed the blind and the sick, always reminding his people that it was Allah’s permission, not his own.
Do you see the thread? This chain of prophets and messengers is the story of Islam.
The Final Message
And then, 1,400 years ago, something happened that would complete the chain. In the quiet of a cave, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ heard a voice say:
“Read, in the name of your Lord who created.”
That moment was the beginning of the Qur’an, the final revelation. It didn’t erase the messages of the earlier prophets; it completed them. Islam, as a “religion,” became whole.
So when people ask, “How old is Islam?” the answer has layers:
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If you mean the final chapter, it’s about 1,400 years old.
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But if you mean the truth itself — the act of submission to Allah — then it is as old as humanity, as old as time.
Islam Is Not Just History
But let me tell you something from my own heart: Islam doesn’t feel old at all. Sometimes, when I open the Qur’an and read, it feels like it was written just for me, just for this exact moment in my life.
When you stand in prayer, when your forehead touches the ground, do you feel the weight of 1,400 years? Or do you feel something timeless — something that connects you directly to Allah? That’s Islam. It is old, yes, but it is also forever new.
It’s not trapped in museums or dusty history books. Islam is alive in your salaah, in the smile you give your neighbor, in the patience you show when life tests you.
The Age of Islam in Numbers
Still, sometimes numbers help. Let’s break it down simply:
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Islam as the final revelation: About 1,400 years old (7th century CE).
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Islam as the faith of all prophets: As old as Adam عليه السلام.
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Qur’an in written form: Preserved since the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
So, depending on how you see it, Islam is both 1,400 years old and eternal.
A Living Faith
Think about this: there are over 1.9 billion Muslims in the world today. Each one, when they say La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah), is connecting to that same eternal truth that Adam, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, and Muhammad (peace be upon them all) carried.
Isn’t that powerful? Islam’s “age” is not measured in years but in souls. Every person who embraces it becomes part of this timeless river of faith.
My Reflection
When I reflect on the question “How old is Islam?” I realize people sometimes ask it out of curiosity, but often it comes from a deeper place. They want to know: Is this faith real? Is it authentic? Can I trust it?
And the answer is yes. Islam is not new, not invented, not a passing trend. It is the first truth and the final truth. It has been here from the start, and it will remain until the end.
Islam in Our Daily Lives
Sometimes history feels far away, but Islam brings it close. When you pray today, you are praying the same way Muhammad ﷺ prayed. When you fast in Ramadan, you are joining a tradition that has stretched across centuries. When you give charity, you are walking in the footsteps of every believer before you.
Islam is old, yes, but it is also present — right now in the rhythm of your heart.
The Eternal Message
So let me say it clearly: Islam is both ancient and ageless. It began with Adam. It was renewed through every prophet. It was completed with Muhammad ﷺ. And it continues with us today.
If you really want to know the age of Islam, don’t look at a calendar. Look inside yourself. Feel the peace when you whisper Bismillah. That peace is as old as time, and as new as this very breath.
If your heart feels moved, if you’ve ever longed to read the Qur’an with understanding and love — this is your invitation.
At Taqweem Academy, you can learn to recite beautifully, study Tajweed, and explore the timeless wisdom of the Qur’an in a way that touches your life today. This is more than study; it’s stepping into the river of faith that has flowed since the beginning of humanity.
👉 Start your journey with Taqweem Academy today.
FAQs
How old is Islam in years?
Islam is around 1,450 years old, starting in the 7th century with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Makkah.
Is the Kaaba 5000 years old?
Yes, Islamic tradition says the Kaaba was rebuilt by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ismail about 5,000 years ago.
Did Islam exist 2000 years ago?
No, Islam as revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began in the 7th century CE, but Muslims believe the core message of Islam (worshipping one God) existed since Adam.
Is Islam older than 1400 years old?
Islam’s final form revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is about 1,450 years old, but its roots go back to earlier prophets like Ibrahim and Musa (Moses).
How old is Christianity?
Christianity is about 2,000 years old, beginning after the life and teachings of Prophet Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him).
How old is Islam and Christianity?
Islam is about 1,450 years old, while Christianity is roughly 2,000 years old.
How old is Hinduism?
Hinduism is considered one of the oldest religions, dating back over 4,000 years, with roots in the Indus Valley civilization.
How old is Islam according to the Quran?
The Quran teaches that Islam’s message of Tawheed (belief in one God) is timeless, given to all prophets, but the final revelation came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 1,400+ years ago.
When was Islam founded BC?
Islam as revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began in the 7th century CE, not BC. However, Muslims believe its core message is the same religion of earlier prophets.
What is Islam?
Islam is the religion of submission to one God (Allah), based on the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
What are Islam’s beliefs?
Muslims believe in one God, angels, prophets, holy books, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree (Qadr).
Islam vs Muslim – what’s the difference?
Islam is the religion, and a Muslim is a follower of Islam.
