Because it crosses so many different boundaries in human experience, religion is notoriously difficult to

define. Many attempts have been made, however, and while every theory has its limitations, each
perspective contributes to our understanding of this complex phenomenon. Here are some of the ideas
that have most inspired scholars of religion.

The variety of approaches in the attempt to define religion can be imposing and sometimes frustrating.
Discussion about widely differing approaches to the subject matter, however, gives the study of religion
its vitality, and most students and scholars in the field appreciate its many crosscurrents.

Religion Has It’s origins in and derives is power from the encounter with the natural world, which
provokes fear and threatens order. In response, religion develops as an attempt to appease natural
forces that are beyond human control.

Religion marks the human encounter with God. Scriptures, rituals, ethics, and faith are built around the
meeting between divinity and humankind.

Religion pertains to the most significant of human concerns, the concern to which all others are inferior.
We might suggest that each religious tradition has its own ultimate concern. Or is it possible that there is
just one object of concern to which all traditions are truly directed.

Religion expresses fundamental features of the human psyche, like deeply embedded symbols,
development structures, or fundamental drives
Religion is the tie that binds a community together through various forms of belief and practice. It is an
institution that contributes important ideas to society at large ; it also connects with specific aspects of
non-religious social life, like economics and political.

Religion and religious experience are the products of human biology and physiology. Neuroscience is
particularly important is discerning the origins and function of religion.

Religion has always been with us. Throughout history, it has expressed the deepest questions
human beings can ask, and it has taken a central place in the lives of virtually all civilizations
and cultures. As we think all the way back to the dawn of human consciousness, we find religion
everywhere we turn.

This may be true of the past, but what about the present - and the future? In recent times, critics
have suggested that religion is on the way out. Technology and science have changed our view
of the world radically, leading some to say that we've entered a new stage of human existence,
without religion. Soon, they argue, it will truly be a thing of the past.

In our day and age, rumors of religion's demise seem very premature - and perhaps there's no
grain of truth in them at all. Religion persists and is often on the rise, even as scientific and non-
religious perspectives have become prominent. We still find religion everywhere, on television,
in film, in popular music, in our towns and neighborhoods. We discover religion at the center of
global issues and cultural conflict. We see religion in the lives of the people we know and love,
and in ourselves, as we live out and wrestle with our own religious faith. Why does religion
continue to thrive? There are many reasons, but one thing is certain: religious traditions are
adaptable in important ways. For many, contemporary religion even has room for skepticism,
science, and the secular, which allows it to keep going strong in our rapidly changing world.

Overall, religion is powerful and persistent, and it shows no signs of disappearing. It provokes
heartfelt commitment, eloquent expression, forthright action, and intense debate. For both
practitioners and observers - for everyone who wants to be informed about the world around
them - religion is an intensely curious phenomenon that calls out for better understanding.
 What Is ‘Deen’
(The way of life in any religion together with its practices)

Meanings of the word ‘Deen’

According to Arabic Dictionaries, the word DEEN has the following meanings
(Depending upon the context):

 Obedience (to some authority)
 State of abasement and submissiveness (to some authority)
 Service
 a particular law
 a statute
 an ordinance
 custom
 habit
 way or system of life
 a way, course, mode, or manner of acting or conduct
 management, conduct or regulation of affairs
 state, condition or case
 requital
 recompense
 judgment
 authority
 rule
 government
 power

‘Deen’ as Obedience

When the preposition “la” or “laam” is used with the word DEEN, it mostly
Means “obedience”. According to the Qur’an, obedience is only to Allah -
“…lahu ad-deen… {Ad-Deen (i.e. the obedience) is only to Him (Allah)}”
[7:29, 10:22, 16:52, 29:65, 31:32, 39:2, 39:11, 40:14, 40:65, 98:5].
7:29 Say (O Messenger), "My Lord enjoins justice and moderation; and set upright your faces at every
MASJID and call on Him, being sincere to Him in obedience; as He brought you forth in the beginning, so
shall you also return”.

39:2 Surely, We have revealed to you the Book with the truth, therefore serve Allah, being sincere to Him in
obedience.

98:5 And they were not enjoined anything except that they should serve Allah, being sincere to Him in
obedience, upright, and establish As-SALAT and provide Az-ZAKAT, and that is the perfect DEEN (Way or
System of Life).

39:3 Now, surely, sincere obedience is due to Allah (alone) and (as for) those who take guardians besides Him,
(saying), we do not serve them except that they may make us nearer to Allah, surely Allah will judge between
them in that in which they differ; surely Allah does not guide him aright who is a liar, ungrateful.

‘Deen’ as Law
The word DEEN also means law, as in 12:76 and 24:2. Also in 5:3, after
giving some laws, Allah says that He has perfected your DEEN i.e. Law for
you and has approved for you Al-Islam as a Way or System of Life.
12:76 They were brought before Joseph for the search. He began with the bags of his
half-brothers before the bag of his brother (Benjamin). And finally extracted the cup
out of his brother’s bag. We thus perfected the plan for Joseph. He could not have
detained his brother under the King's law [Deen-il-Malik]. But that was the Will of Allah.
We raise people in ranks according to Our Laws. And above every person of
knowledge there is One who knows all.

Al -Islam is Deen It is not a Madhhab.

The word Madhhab does not occur in the Qur’an at all. Literally, the word Madhhab means ‘a
place to which one goes’. From that, a place to which one goes for the purpose of satisfying the
want of nature, is also sometimes called Madhhab. Then the word also became to be used to
mean: a way, course, mode or manner of acting or conduct or the like; a way of believing,
opining, thinking, or judging; a belief, a creed, a persuasion, a doctrine, an opinion, a tenet or a
body of tenets or beliefs. In Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), it stands for ‘school of thought’. For
example, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafiee and Hambli are considered four schools of thought. It must be
stressed that Al-Islam is not Madhhab but Ad-DEEN i.e. a Way or System of life in which the
obedience is only to Allah’s Laws and Commands.

Establishment of Deen

42:13 He has ordained for you all, the same System of Life that He enjoined upon Noah
And We have revealed to you (O Prophet) the same Message as We enjoined upon
Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: "Establish the Divine System of Life (in which the
obedience is only to Allah’s Law or Command) and make no sects in it.” Hard it is upon
the idolaters (those who worship false 'authorities') the unity you call to. Allah draws
unto Himself everyone who is willing, and guides unto Himself everyone who turns
unto Him.”

Ad-Deen as a System of life can only be established firmly after gaining power
or rule in the land. Without power or rule, a ritualistic religion can survive but
establishment of Ad-Deen as a System of life that encompasses all aspects of
life is not possible, as the following verse suggests:

24:55 Allah has promised that those of you peoples who will believe in the Divine Laws
And work properly and efficaciously, He will surely make them rulers in the earth - Just
As He granted rule to the previous nations (28:5-6), (33:27). He will surely establish for
Them the System of life (DEEN) that He has approved for them, and will replace their
Fear with peace and security. (All this because) they serve me alone. They ascribe no
Partner to Me. But all who, after this, deny these Laws will drift out (of the community
Of living nations).

The ‘belief’ in the above verse does not pertain to any dogmas and tenets, but
to the realization and conviction that the entire Universe is operating under the
Unchangeable Physical Laws of One Supreme Authority, thus providing the
Basis for all Science and Technology. ‘Aamaal-e-Saliha’ refers to such deeds
That are just and proper according to Allah’s Laws and efficacious for the
Intended purpose.

Comparative Study of Religion & Deen

A comparative study of religion and Deen, should help us understand the vital and fundamental
characteristics of each and the differences between the two: "Religion & Deen (Islam)"

Religion is merely some sort of subjective experience and is concerned only with the so-called
private relationship between God and man. Deen is an objective reality and a system of
collective life. Every follower of a Religion is satisfied that he has established a communion with
the Almighty, and the objective of each individual is his own salvation. The aim of Deen on the
other hand is the welfare and progress of all mankind, and the character and constitution of a
society indicates whether or not it is founded upon the Divine Law.
Religion does not afford us any objective. criterion by which we could determine whether or not
our actions are producing the desired results. In a social order governed by Deen, the
development of a collective and harmonious life correctly indicates whether or not the people are
pursuing the right course.

Religion is hostile to scientific investigation and is an adversary of reason, so that it could

flourish unhampered with the aid of a blind faith. Deen helps in the development of human
reason and knowledge, allows full freedom to accept or reject on the basis of reason and
arguments, and encourages investigation and discovery of all the natural phenomena to illumine
the path of human life and its advancement in the light of the Permanent Values.

Religion follows the susceptibilities and prejudices of men and pampers them. Deen seeks to
lead men to a path of life that is in harmony with the realities of life.

In every age, therefore, Religion sets up new idols and mumbo-jumbos in order to keep the
people's attention away from the real problems of life. But Deen is rational and radical: it breaks
all idols, old and new, and is never variable in its principles.

Religion induces a perpetual sense of fear in the minds of men and seeks to frighten them into
conformity; While Deen treats fear as a form of polytheism and seeks to make men courageous,
daring and self-reliant.

References:

http://www.muslimaid.org/index.php/media-centre/islamic-knowledge

http://quranicteachings.co.uk/deen.htm

http://www.studyreligion.org/why/index.html

http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/differences-between-
quotreligion-deen-islamquot-371875.html

http://quranicteachings.co.uk/Ad_Deen.pdf