ESTABLISHING OR UPHOLDING DEEN?

begins to live amongst people as one in whom God-consciousness and the accountability of the Hereafter is ever present. Such a person’s life is free of all hypocrisy. His character is shaped by higher principles rather than personal gain or considerations. He deals justly with others. His heart is completely free of malice, jealousy and vengeance. He 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. He is one who acknowledges others and does not wrong them. His heart is full of modesty, not pride. He desires goodness towards all and bears no ill feelings toward others. He upholds his commitments to others and fulfils his promises. He does not slander or pick faults and always speaks in a just and truthful manner. His acceptance of the truth lifts him above all material considerations taking him into a spiritual world. He is always conscious of God. He desires only the mercy of the Almighty. He longs for Paradise. He associates with others only to seek their help in the path towards God. He develops a vision that is capable of discerning the hidden realities in the apparent and obvious. In the scenes of nature and creation, he comprehends the power and majesty of the Creator. Everything in the world and the universe becomes an exposition of the awesome attributes of the Almighty. His insight and judgement are so refined that the entire universe becomes a canvas of God realization. He finds an increase in faith and Godconsciousness in everything. To summarize, this verse does not ask for the establishment of deen on earth, but for the establishment of deen on oneself. It calls for personal introspection and not the introspection of others. It requires a personal submission to the injunctions of God; not using violence to force others in the name of making them submit to God. It desires that man shed his own tears in the remembrance of God, not the blood of others. Aqim ud deen means to fill our lives with the discovery of God; not fill the world with hatred and violence in the name of establishing the law of God on land. Aqim ud deen requires the development of a divine personality in our own selves; not filling the The truth is that making the reformation of the individual as the goal results in the reformation of society as a whole. The soul of all reformation is the reformation of the individual soul.