Indeed, the religion has always been Islam, ever since the time of Adam (peace be upon him) and through many successive generations of his descendants. The Exalted says, “Mankind were once a single community; then Allah sent the prophets as bearers of glad tidings and as warners.” ⦗2:213⦘

Polytheism and doctrinal deviation first appeared among the people of Noah, and for that reason he (peace be upon him) was the first messenger. Allah says, “We have revealed to you just as We revealed to Noah and the prophets who came after him.” ⦗4:163⦘

Ibn ʿAbbas said, “Between Adam and Noah (peace be upon them) there were ten generations, all of them upon Islam.” Ibn al-Qayyim (1) commented, “This view is certainly correct, for the reading of Ubayy ibn Kaʿb—in the verse from al-Baqarah—states: ‘…but they differed, so Allah sent the prophets.’”

Supporting this reading is the Almighty’s word: “Mankind were but one community, then they differed.” ⦗10:19⦘

What he, may Allah have mercy on him, meant is that the sending of the prophets was necessitated by people’s departure from the sound religion they had once embraced, just as happened among the Arabs afterward—