The Error of Political Islam

THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION associate anyone with their Lord in worship” means avoiding acts for show, specifically having no intention of ostentation in one’s actions. (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, Vol. 11, p. 70) Understanding ‘Deen’ The fourth and final term in this context is “Deen” (religion). The book identifies four different meanings of this word from classical Arabic usage. Then, under the heading “The Use of the Word Deen in the Quran,” the following lines are provided: “These details clarify that the foundation of the word Deen consists of four concepts, or in other words, this word represents four core ideas in the Arabic mind.” 1. Dominance and control exercised by one who possesses authority. 2. Obedience, servitude, and submission from those who yield to authority. 3. Rules, regulations, and methods that are followed. 4. Accountability, judgment, and the awarding of rewards or punishments. The Arabs sometimes used this word to refer to different ideas. However, because their understanding of these four aspects was neither fully clear nor very