Introduction
It is irrationally considered that both "Religion" and "Deen" are the same thing. Actually, there is a huge difference in context and terminology as far as both of these terms are concerned. In this blog article, I have tried to make you understand in detail the significant difference between "Deen" and "Religion" in the context of Islam.
However, before describing the significant difference between "Deen" and "Religion", it is quite pertinent to understand first that what is Deen in the context of Islam (Qur'an) and what is Religion in the context of human doctrine? So, let's define and understand these terms separately and later on compare and contrast these terms jointly.
What is Deen in Islam?
The Arabic word "Deen" (دين) has three main literal meanings: religion, custom, and judgment. The term refers to the way of life Muslims must live in order to follow divine law, which includes their beliefs, character, way of life, and actions. The term (Deen not religion) is used 98 times in the Qur'an, each time with a different meaning.
Although the word "Deen" can be found in as many as 79 verses of the Qur'an, its precise definition has been the subject of some misunderstanding and disagreement due to the lack of a precise English translation. In some parts of the Qur'an, for instance, the term is frequently translated and referred to as "religion."
The term "Deen" has been used in various forms and meanings, such as system, power, supremacy, ascendancy, sovereignty or lordship, dominion, law, constitution, mastery, government, realm, decision, definite outcome, reward, and punishment, according to Muslim scholars.
On the other hand, this word is also used to mean allegiance, obedience, and submission." Others have noted that the term "Deen" is also frequently used in translations of the Qur'an in a third sense, in addition to the two broad usages that have been discussed thus far, of sovereignty on the one hand and submission on the other.
The term is most well-known in the opening chapter, al-Fati'ah, and almost all English translations translate it as "judgment." In a similar context, the verse "مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ" is translated as "Master of the Day of Judgment."
However, from my perspective and understanding, the term "Deen" refers to "judgment" and "a particular way of living a life as only ordered by Allah the Almighty and no one else." Furthermore, "Deen" transcends and denies all human doctrine, logic, thought, knowledge, or school of thought because it was directly revealed by Allah the Almighty (God) to human beings through Prophets or Messengers from the first Prophet Adam AS to the last Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
What is a Religion (مذہب)?
A social-cultural system of prescribed behaviours and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations that typically relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements is typically how a religion is commonly defined.
However, scholars do not agree on the precise definition of a religion. The divine, sacred things, faith, a supernatural being or supernatural beings, or "some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life" may or may not be present in various religions.
Rituals, sermons, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, and other aspects of human culture; are all some of the common examples of religious practices. In order to primarily give life a meaning; sacred scriptures, symbols, and holy places can be used to preserve religious histories and narratives.
Religions may also attempt to explain the universe, the origin of life, and other phenomena through symbolic stories, which adherents frequently assert to be true. Faith, in addition to reason, has traditionally been regarded as a source of religious beliefs. There are about more than 1,000 different religions in the world. According to Wikipedia, a total of 84% of the world's population adheres to one or more religions.
Additionally, the study of religion encompasses a wide range of academic fields, including comparative religion, theology, philosophy of religion, and social science studies. Speculations of religion offer different clarifications for the starting points and activities of religion, including the ontological groundworks of strict being and conviction.
Many religious scholars, writers, intellectuals, clerics, and critics consider Islam as a religion. However, I strongly disagree with this perception and phenomenon that Islam is a religion. Islam is not a religion in the context of glorious Qur'an, rather it is the "Deen". Because religion, in contrast to "Deen," is founded on the human school of thought, observation, practices, logic, knowledge, and rationality.
What is the Difference Between Deen & Religion?
One of the most widely recognised differences between Deen and Religion is that Deen is straightforwardly from Allah the All-powerful. However, religion is based on human doctrines and schools of thought and does not originate directly from God. Similarly, the Prophets of Islam were forbidden from altering anything in Deen (Islamic Scripts including Qur'an). In fact, they were given a clear directive to only spread the Deen among people which Allah the All-Powerful had already revealed it to them.
Additionally, the Qur'an is the complete code of human life. Because it comes directly from Allah the All-Powerful, it is the only source of Deen. The Qur'an is extremely straightforward and simple to comprehend and understand, and it explains everything that is significant to Islam in detail. Because of this, everything else besides the Qur'an is not Deen because it does not come directly from Allah the All-Powerful.
Allah, the Almighty doesn't like to share His power, authority, supremacy, and command. This is why Allah, the Almighty has mentioned clearly in Qur'an that He is the One and none shares His authority and power. He has no parents or children. Allah the Almighty is the one and all alone Who is worthy to be worshiped. It is He Who has given life to us (Human Beings) and created the entire universe, and to Him, we all are to return.
Finally, Allah the Almighty all alone is the only Master of the Day of Judgment and even the Prophets of Islam have no any authority to share His power and take decisions on their own in terms of rewarding Hell or Heaven to anyone. Therefore, we need to understand Deen-e-Islam as per the context of the Glorious Qur'an only in order to be successful on the day of judgment.
✍️ By: Raja Bahar Khan Soomro
Thanks for reading. I hope this blog post has cleared up your thoughts about the difference between Deen and Religion. This is my personal opinion and hence you may disagree with that. however, I would suggest you read the Qur'an in detail and try to understand it before contradicting my point of view.
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