THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION

THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION In other words, God being Rabb implies that He is the centre of our social and civil life, around whom our collective life is constructed—like how in a democratic society, the nation or homeland is the common point that unites people within a territory into a single nation, preparing them for a shared state institution. In this sense, referring to God as Rabb suggests that He is the foundation of our collective formation, organizing us as a Ummah (community). Fundamentally, I do not disagree that belief in the One God provides Muslims with a shared identity as a community and binds them in a common relationship. However, presenting this type of social and cultural view as the “third meaning” of Rabb is entirely unQuranic. Consequently, the references provided to support this interpretation are completely irrelevant to the primary issue; none of them substantiate this “third meaning.” The references include five verses, the first of which is: “He is your Lord, and to Him you will be returned.” (11:34) This is a verse from Chapter Hud, and the return towards God mentioned in this is for the life Hereafter and not for this world. The entire passage is as below: “Noah,’ they replied, ‘you have argued with us,