Understanding ‘Deen’

THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam” (3:19) means that the only religion approved by Allah is Islam. As stated elsewhere, “I have chosen Islam as your religion” (5:3). This statement serves as a rebuttal to the claims of the Jews and Christians: the Jews asserted that Judaism is the superior religion, and the Christians claimed that Christianity is the superior religion. Allah refuted them, stating that only Islam is the religion in the sight of Allah (Tafsir Khazin, Vol. 1, p. 234). “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam” (3:19) means that no other religion besides Islam is approved by Allah. (Ruh ul Ma’ani, Vol. 2, p. 103) Similarly, the second verse’s main topic also concerns which religion is accepted by Allah. Immediately following this, several verses stress that anyone who follows a religion other than Islam will be considered a “disbeliever” in Allah’s eyes and will deserve punishment in the Hereafter (Quran, 3:85-91). This is also the understanding held by tafsir scholars. I will cite two references: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him,” meaning that the only religion accepted by Allah is Islam, and all other religions are not accepted by Him.” (Tafsir Khazin, Vol. 1, p. 266)