What is the Oldest Religion in the World?

Throughout human history, one of the most frequently asked questions has been: “What is the oldest religion in the world?” Different cultures, mythologies, and philosophical perspectives have put forward various claims, yet the Risale-i Nur Collection gives a clear and definitive answer to this question:

According to Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, the oldest religion in the world is the religion of Tawhid (Divine Unity), that is, Islam. This is because religion was not invented by human imagination or thought, but was revealed by God at the very beginning of humanity. The true religion is not what people have created with their own reasoning, but the divine truths conveyed through the prophets.

The True Religion Beginning with Prophet Adam

It is clearly stated in the Risale-i Nur:
“The first human being was also the first prophet: Prophet Adam (peace be upon him).” (The Words, 20th Word)

The Qur’an also affirms this truth:
“Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ‘Imran above all the worlds.” (Âl ‘Imrân, 33)

According to the Risale-i Nur, religion is not a system born from human imagination and philosophy, but a divine order revealed by God along with the first human being. The first man, Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), was also the first prophet. With the revelation given to him, the beginning of human history was also the beginning of Islam.

Therefore, Islam is not a later invention or belief system, but the first and true religion that came into existence together with the creation of humanity.

Islam as the Religion of Tawhid (Divine Unity)

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi expresses that all prophets conveyed the same truth as follows:
“All the prophets came from the same religion. Their laws may differ, but the religion is one. And that is Islam.” (Letters, 19th Letter)

The Qur’an also clearly declares this reality:
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.” (Âl ‘Imrân, 19)

Although prophets sent in different eras brought distinct laws, in essence the religion has always been one: Islam. With the final Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), this true religion reached perfection and will remain preserved until the Day of Judgment.

Why is Islam the Oldest Religion in the World?

According to the Risale-i Nur Collection, the reasons are as follows:

The First Human Was a Prophet
“Adam was both the first human and the first prophet.” (The Words, 23rd Word)

The Qur’an also declares:
“And He taught Adam the names—all of them.” (Al-Baqarah, 31)

Tawhid (Divine Unity) is Eternal
“The truth of Divine Unity is eternal; it never changes or becomes corrupted.” (The Rays, 2nd Ray)

The Qur’an states:
“Say: He is Allah, the One.” (Al-Ikhlas, 1)

All Prophets Were Messengers of Islam
“Every prophet conveyed the truth of Islam to his own people.” (The Flashes, 15th Flash)

The Qur’an confirms:
“We certainly sent messengers before you, and We revealed to them: There is no god except Me, so worship Me.” (Al-Anbiya, 25)

Thus, in the light of the Risale-i Nur and the Qur’an, Islam is not a later religion but the eternal truth that began with the creation of humanity and continued with every prophet until it reached perfection with Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Oldest Religion in the World

According to the Risale-i Nur Collection, the oldest religion in the world is Islam. This is because religion began together with humanity and was revealed to the earth with the first prophet, Prophet Adam (peace be upon him).

In later periods, some communities deviated from the true religion and developed false paths, yet the essence of the true religion was never lost. For this reason, Islam has been both the first religion and the final religion, serving as the ultimate guide for humanity.