Understanding ‘Deen’

THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION 2. And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him, and he will be among the losers in the Hereafter. (3:85) 3. It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, so that He may make it prevail over all religion, even though those who associated partners with God dislike it. (9:33) 4. And fight them until there is no more fitnah, and [until] the religion is entirely for Allah. (8:39) 5. When the help of Allah comes and victory is achieved, and you see people entering into the religion of Allah in large numbers, then glorify your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is always accepting repentance. (110:1-3) In all these verses, Deen indicates the complete system of life, including its doctrinal, intellectual, moral, and practical aspects. In the first two verses, it is stated that the only correct way of life for humanity in the sight of Allah is the one based on obedience and servitude to Allah alone (Islam). Any other system that relies on obedience to any other assumed authority can never be acceptable to the Creator and Sovereign of the universe. This is because the One who created, owns, and nurtures human beings, and in whose dominion, they reside