PRESERVATION, UPDATING, DA‘WAH

~ 27 ~ al-din is basic and absolute, always remaining the same, without the slightest change. It is obligatory for all believers, whatever the circumstances, and entails belief in the One God, and the worship of Him alone. The Shariah, on the other hand, may differ, depending upon times and places. On the subject of al-din the Qur’an has this to say: He has ordained for you the same din which He enjoined on Nuh (Noah) and which We have revealed to you and which we enjoined on Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isa (Jesus) (saying): Observe this din and be not divided therein. (42:13). On the other hand, there is another verse of the Qur’an which tells us that the shariah given to different prophets were not always identical. The Qur’an states: We have ordained a law (Shariah) and a path for each of you. And had God so willed He would have made you all a single community, but He wanted to try you by what He had given you. Vie with each other then in good works, for to God you shall all return and He will resolve for you your differences. (5:48)