Islam, just as the religion with which Allah sent Muhammad—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—is the religion of Islam from first to last.

At first, the direction of prayer was Jerusalem; then the Kaaba became the direction of prayer. In both cases, the religion remained one and the same: Islam.

The same applies to everything else prescribed for the prophets before us. Thus, whenever Allah mentions truth in the Quran, He presents it as one, while presenting falsehood as manifold. Allah says:

“This is My path, straight, so follow it, and do not follow other ways, lest they lead you away from His way.”

[Surah al-An‘ām: 153]

And He says:

“Guide us to the straight path—the path of those You have blessed, not those who have incurred wrath, nor those who have gone astray.”

[Surah al-Fātiha: 6–7]

And He says:

“He chose him and guided him to a straight path.”

[Surah al-Nahl: 121]

And He says:

“And guide you to a straight path.”

[Surah al-Fath: 2]

And He says:

“Allah is the Guardian of those who believe. He brings them out of the darknesses into the light. As for those who disbelieve, their guardians are false gods, who bring them out of the light into the darknesses.”

[Surah al-Baqara: 257]

This accords with what is stated in the Book of Allah: disagreement spoken of in absolute terms is wholly blameworthy, unlike disagreement that is qualified, as in His words:

“But they differed: some of them believed, while others disbelieved. Had Allah willed, they would not have fought one another.”

[Surah al-Baqara: 253]

Here He made clear that it was a disagreement between the people of truth and the people of falsehood, as He says:

“These are two adversaries who disputed concerning their Lord.”

[Surah al-Hajj: 19]