ESTABLISHING OR UPHOLDING DEEN?

the time of its revelation cannot be taken to mean the ‘establishment of the congregational prayers five times a day’, as at that time the commandment of five daily prayers had not been given to the believers. Similarly, in the verse of aqim ud deen, we cannot derive a meaning for political or societal injunctions as this verse is a Makkan verse and such commands had not yet been revealed in Makkah. This verse of Chapter Al-Shura mentions other prophets relating that they were also given this injunction of ‘establishing the deen’. But it is a fact that besides Prophet Moses, the other prophets were not given any political or constitutional commandments; not even in their later years. In such a situation a commandment to these prophets to ‘establish and enforce the complete deen’ on earth is even more so incomprehensible. God’s law is based on the principle of ‘responsibility according to capacity’. For the believers in the Makkan period and for the majority of the prophets, the establishment of the ‘complete deen’ was beyond their capacity. Hence it was not possible that at such a time they should be charged with such a responsibility. Deliberating on this verse, we can understand that aqim ud deen in reality is the command to uphold a personal deen or religion. Such a religion that any individual can abide by it at every place and under any circumstance. This injunction that appears in the plural form in the Chapter Al-Shura also appears at another place in the singular form as: ‘Devote yourself single-mindedly to the deen’. (30: 30) This verse implies that you should imbibe in mind and heart, the truth that has been made manifest through revelations from God. That such a person’s thoughts now turn toward this truth so that it becomes a focus of all his endeavours. With this discovery, his complete personality will now submit to God, the Lord of the universe. He becomes devoted to God, worshipping Him alone. He becomes immersed in the praise and glory of God. All his emotions of fear and love will be focussed on God. This verse means that the one who imbibes it will have a relationship with God that becomes so strong that his character and conduct are moulded in accordance with God's will. His speech glorifies the Almighty. His behaviour takes on the colour of a true worshipper. He A believer speaks the truth in every situation; whether it be in his favour or against him. He lives amongst others as one who fears the punishment of hell and longs for entry into Paradise.