Understanding ‘Deen’

THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION In a later interpretation, the meaning of deen becomes more specific. In Tafheem al-Quran, he changes his stance while explaining this verse and interprets َِِّ وَيَكُونَ الدِّينُ ل as meaning that, regardless of whether people believe or not, the earthly legal system should remain under God’s authority, and for this reason, fighting is justified (Tafheem al Quran, Ch. 2, V. 193, Footnote 205). Similarly, the lengthy interpretation given for the last reference (Chapter Al-Nasr) has no connection to the actual words of the Chapter. The phrase “ َِّ إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ الل ” وَالْفَتْحُ refers to the victory granted by Allah, where the Prophet œ prevailed over the enemies of Islam. The verse “ ” يَدْخُلُونَ فِ دِينِ اللَِّ أَفـْوَاجًا speaks of the occurrence that, after this victory, people began accepting Islam in large numbers. According to Ibn Abbas, before this victory, when the final Prophet and the Quraysh were in fierce conflict, the Arabs believed that the side which won was in the right. So, when the Prophet œ defeated his enemies and gained control, many people started converting to Islam. As a result, Islam became more powerful both politically and in numbers, allowing the ongoing mission of spreading the religion after the Prophet’s time, as Allah intended. This is why, when the Prophet œ and his close companions heard this