Islamiat Qstn Deen And Religion.docx

Qno. Explain and analyze the difference between Deen and Religion. Discuss the importance of Deen for human life with solid arguments. Ans. Introduction

Word Religion or “Mahzab” comes from root “zahab” which means to go , pass by or walk. literal meanings of religion are faith, belief and mannerisms. Being a latin word, religion means binding together (from verb religion meaning to bind together). Religion is a bond between a religious devotee and his God. This devotion is all about rituals and faiths. Where as Deen, is a complete system, which in case of Islam means to accept absolute sovereignty of ALLAH. It is about absolute submission of man to absolute sovereign. it encompass reward, a complete code of life with an applicable social, economical, political and religious system. Deen is divine and dynamic as well. it is a collection of institutions, social orde r, practices and beliefs.

The word deen is used in the Arabic language to give different meanings most importantof these meanings are Subjugation, Authority, Ruling, and Having Charge. These fourlinguistic meanings constitute the concept of the word “Deen” in the Quran where itimplies a comprehensive system of life that is composed of four parts: The rule and the authority belong to Allah. The obedience and submission to this ruler-ship and authority by those who embraced this “Deen”. The comprehensive system (intellectual and practical) established by this authority (Allah) The reward given by this authority (Allah) to those that followed the system and submitted to it and the punishment inflicted upon those who rebel against it and disobey it.

Based on this definition of “Deen” it could be summarize that deen is a submission, following and worship by man for the creator, the ruler in a comprehensive system oflife with all its belief, intellectual, moral and practical aspects. Meaning: Lexical meanings of Deen are paying back; reward; and punishment. Technically, itmeans a complete system and a consummate code of life. It provides full guidance inevery field of life including beliefs, worship, morality and social dealings. AndReligion (Deen) is an all round movement in the light of faith in Allah and a sense ofresponsibility for the formation of thoughts and beliefs, for the promotion of highprinciples of human morality, for the establishment of good relations among members ofthe society and the elimination of all sorts of undue discrimination. We require religion for the following reasons:1. Religion, a guideline for practical life: Religion provides a sanction for the principles of morality like justice, honesty,righteousness, brotherhood, equality, virtuousness, tolerance, sacrifice, help to the needyand other kindred virtues. These are the virtues without which, not only our life will loseits order and normalcy but is very likely to be turned into chaos. Of course, it is possibleto acquire these moral and social qualities without the aid of religion. But, certainly in theabsence of firm religious belief, these values appear to lose their meaning and become aseries of mere unbinding recommendations, because in such a case, they do not amount tomore than a piece of advice from a close friend in respect of which we are at full libertyto accept or reject. These qualities are rather based on an internal feeling and faith and are naturally beyondthe scope of ordinary law. The well-known philosopher-cum-historian, will Durant says in his book, ‘pleasures ofphilosophy that, without the backing of religion, morality is nothing more thanarithmomancy, a without it, the sense of obligation disappears. IS Islam a religion or deen?

The main question that arises here is that Islam is a mere religion or deen? From the abovestated definitions, it can be easily derived that Islam is a deen because of the fact that Islam is not limited to particular rituals rather it provides a complete code of conduct of the followers. On the one hand, it prescribes for its followers to remember of Allah, offer prayer, observe fasting, give Zakat and on the other hand, it provides a complete constitutional for the functions of a state. It even does not limit itself to the two extremes of individual and state rather it also provides a perfect sample for the societal conduct. Hence the Quran declares, “This day, I have perfected your deen for you, completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your deen” (Surah e Maeda). This declaration of Quran Karim is a clear manifestation of the concept that Islam is a perfect code of life in all the matters of human life whether private, societal or at the level of the state

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