Understanding ‘Deen’

Becoming religious is fundamentally not a political or civil event but is instead a deeply personal experience. It means that an individual submits themselves before God, overcomes their own desires for Him, and fully dedicates all their feelings and emotions to Him. In this sense, Prophet Ibrahim was a complete Muslim, even though he never established a comprehensive system during his life. Similarly, the declaration of the last Messenger’s Deen as religious in Makkah occurred even though, at that time, neither a state was established nor communal laws were revealed: “Say, ‘I worship Allah alone, dedicating my religion to Him. So worship whatever you will besides Him.’” (Quran, 39:14-15) In this context, the establishment of prayer and the giving of zakat are referred to as the Al-Deen Al-Qayyim (upright religion). However, it is evident that this is not the entirety of Deen. (Quran, 98: 5) When this state of religious devotion develops within a person, it naturally influences their practical life. In the situations they face, they abandon other methods and adopt those preferred by God. Their external life becomes a reflection of their internal submission. It becomes unthinkable for them to act in ways that go against God’s preferences. In this sense, politics and civilization are all part of Deen.