Deen Made Simple: Your Guide to Modern Faith

“Deen” (Arabic: دين) is a diverse term that has a multitude of meanings and interconnections depending on the context. The Arabic term translates as “religion” or “faith.”

However, the concept of Religion subsumes much more than just a belief system. Moreover, it is a way by which Lives should be lived.

Arabic terminology also briefly explains Religion as “judgement” or “law.” Another basic yet key meaning of this word is “way.”

It refers to the way that a person lives their life according to the teachings of their religion. This includes not only their spiritual practices. Their relationships with others, their moral values, and their actions in the world too are included.

In Arabic Literature

The Most renowned classical Arabic dictionaries Al-Qamus al-Muheet and Lisan al-Arab . It state that there are four potential meanings of the term religion i.e. دين which derives from the root word ‘dana’ دَانَ ( submit to).

These meanings include Enslavement , obedience (submission), ruling, and judgement (justice and accountability).

Deen In the Quran

The word deen دين appears in as many as 79 verses of the Quran and 98 times with different connotations, including in the phrase yawm al din, generally translated to Day of Judgement .

As mentioned in the verse ” La ikhra fid din” which means ” Let there be no compulsion in religion”.

Some scholars have translated this term in several places as faith.

Some other meanings refers to Religion as a system and other times is translated with a sense of obedience, submission.

It is important to note that the Quran also uses this word in the form of ad-deen and not deen only. The difference in meaning translates to “the way” rather than “a way.”

Indeed, the religion (deen) in the sight of Allah is Islam, (Quran 3:19)

 Importance of Deen for Humans

Deen provides a sanction for the principles of morality such as justice, honesty, righteousness, brotherhood, equality, virtuousness, patience, sacrifice. It helps the needy and other kind virtues.

These are the virtues without which, not only our life will lose its order and normalcy. But it is very likely to distort. Of course, it is possible to inhibit these moral and social qualities without the aid of religion.

Uncertainly in the absence of firm religious belief. These values appear to lose their meaning and become a series of mere unbinding recommendations.

In such a case they do not amount to more than apiece of advice from a close friend in respect of which we are at full liberty to accept or reject. These qualities rather determine on an internal feeling and faith and are naturally beyond the scope of ordinary law.

It is only faith in the existence of an internal being, who knows man equally from within and without and who has full control over him, that cultivates these virtues within man and impels him to automatic righteousness and compliance to duty, and if need be, to make sacrifice.

Provides Morality

Opposes discrimination

Deen strongly opposes every discrimination based on color, race or class, because it regards all human beings as Allah creation and every country as His country. According to it, all enjoy God’s love and kindness equally and as such, all are equal. According to the teachings of Islam, no man can be superior to another man on the basis of his color, race, descent, language or class. Islam recognizes only piety and knowledge as the touch-stones of superiority .

Allah says “Man’ we have created you from a male and a female’ and we have divided you into nations and tribes’ so that you may get to know one another. Surely the most honorable of you in the sight of  Allah is he who is most pious.”(Surah al- Hujurat’ 49 :31)

Thus the role of seen in a world that has not yet been able even to solve the color problem, the question of class apart, is quit clear.

 Anyhow, it cannot be denied that every kind of religious thought or belief cannot produce the de-sired results like every other intellectual movement, it also requires correct guidance. Otherwise it assumes the form of superstition, monasticism, escape from positive life and pseudo-agnostic negative tendencies, the examples of which can even now be seen where people have become fed up with a mechanical life. It is only in such an atmosphere that want to learn correctly. Deen regards as an obstructive factor.

Deen provides clear path

The divine light of God shows the clear path, the right from wrong, the true from the false, there has come to you from Allah a new light and a manifest book.(15:17).

Deen Provides Principle of justice

The function of deen is to provide guidance for the establishment of justice and equality.

The holy Quran says” Oh beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) undoubtedly, we have sent down to you the book with truth that you may & judge amongst people as you are shown by Allah.  And quarrel not from the side of deceivers.(4:105)

The holy Quran says” Allah is who has sent down the book with the truth and the balance of justice. And what shall make you know that perhaps the hour may be near. (42:17)

Safeguard against Evil

The holy Quran says “The Quran in Arabic language wherein there is no crookedness in order that they may fear.(39:28)

The holy Quran says ” It was made lawful for you to go near your women in the nights of fasting. They are your garments and you are their garments. Allah know that you used to put your souls in defalcation, then He accepted your repentance and pardoned you then now copulate (Intercourse) with them and seek what Allah has written in your destiny and eat and drink until white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread at the dawn ; then complete the fasts till coming of night, and do not touch the women when you remain in the mosques, for devotion. These are the limits of  Allah, do not approach them. Allah thus describes His signs to the people, so that they may become pious. (2:187)

Deen and Individual Freedom

Some people think that Deen restricts individual freedom and disallows the fulfillment of some desires. Whereas, in fact, the aim of religious teaching is not at all to put an end to logical freedom. Its aim is only to Stop wastage of human energies and assets and to prevent their flow into improper and worthless channels.

For example, if Deen forbids the use of intoxicants, gambling and improper indulgence in sex. It is indeed for the safety of the body and soul of the individual and for the maintenance of social order. This moral control is in keeping with the real spirit of freedom, for freedom means only that man should be able to take full advantage of the assets of existence to help in the evolution of the individual and the society. It does not at all mean misuse God-given energies and indulging in immoderation and anarchy.

Deen supports every kind of freedom that carries man forward towards evolution in various fields. Only this is what freedom, in the real sense, means. Anything else is libertinism .That is why deen allows man to use all good things in life, to wear any reasonable dress, to relish any good food and to take part in any healthy pastime. #n short, it has allowed the use of all comforts and conveniences of life, and does not ask anyone to give up any such things. The holy Quran says” Say who has forbidden the beautiful things of Allah which He has produced for his servants and the pure food?”

Vibes of Faith for Modern Ummah