What is the difference between Deen and Religion?
INTRODUCTION:
Deen and religion are the words that are interchangeably used. However, they do not have
the same meaning. There exist the philosophical and Literal differences between the two terms.
The word Deen is often translated in English as "religion" but their literal meanings do not allow
this translation. Following the definitions, Islam is the only "Deen" whereas others like Christianity
and Buddhism qualify to be called “religion”.
AN ANALYTICAL OVERVIEW:
Deen and Religion have two types of differences – one is the philosophical Differences
and the other literal Differences.
The Philosophical Differences:
Everything in this world is created by what is known as the creator. All the products of his
creation are called the created. There exist two types of relationships in such a case. The first one
is the relationship between the creator and the created, while the other relationship is between the
created with other created ones. It can be illustrated as follows:
Creater
Created Created
The first form of relation, between the creator and the created is an intangible one. Its basic
components are:
(1) Imaan- The belief on the supreme.
(2) Ibadaat- Actions that show obedience to the supreme.
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This makes up 50% of Deen. In order to complete ‘Deen’, the relationship between The
Created individuals are necessary, as it is the remaining 50%. Its basic components are:
(1) Mu’amlaat- valuing the revealed injunetions
(Quran and Sunnah). It is the combination of muashrat
(Society)
And Maeeshat (economy)
(2) Ikhlaaq- doing things that one believes that is liked in Deen.
(For example, helping an old man pick up things that he has
dropped on the floor).
Whenever a concept that talks about and consists of all four of these Components, that is
known as ‘Deen’ while if any one of these four concepts is missing, the concept would be named
as ‘Religion’.
Out of all the system of beliefs, Islam is the only one that consists of all 4 components. In
Islam,
Imaan- Is the Articles of Faith.
Ibadaat- are the Pillars of Islam
Mu’amlaat- are the economic, Political and Social Systems.
Ikhlaaq- is the Moral system.
Hinduism, Buddlism, Christianity and all other systems of beliefs are Religions because
one thing or the other is missing in them. Even the teachings of Confucius were based on the Moral
system (Ikhlaaq) only.
Thereby, according to the philosophy, Deen is the onew that consists of all 4 components
of Imaan, Ibadaat, Mu’amlaat and Ikhlaaqa. Whereas in the absence of any one or more than one
components, the system of beliefs is called Religion.
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The Literal Differences:
1. Religion is the set of beliefs, feelings, dogmas and practices that define the relationship
between an individual with the sacred, whereas Deen is the submission, following and
worship of a being for his creator.
2. Religion has a narrow focus, whereas Deen is a comprehensive system of life. The former
refers to the naturals of worship, while the latter pervades about All the aspects of life-
belief, intellectual, moral, ethical’s, political and practical aspects.
3. Religion is a moral code that is believed to be sanctioned by the god or gods, whereas Deen
refers to subjugating over self to the supreme Authority, the one having control.
4. Deen consists the concept of rewards (given for good acts) and punishments (given for the
wrong deeds) to the being by the supreme authority. The concept of reward and punishment
is not necessary there on Religion.
5. One of the important distinguishing factor is that Deen is essentially the one that dominates
and permeates without it being subjugated by any other force. Something that is subjugated
by some Deen influence and does not have the dominating feature is not Deen, but religion.
For example, Islam teaches superiority of One God only, whereas Hinduism lacks this and
the superiority of their one god over another makes their system of belief a religion and not
a Deen.
6. it is possible for several religions co-exist at a time in the world, it is impossible to have
more than one Deen (way of life). There cannot be two parallel codes of life, yet several
religions may exist simultaneously. Islam is the only Deen, where Christianity, Taoism,
Judaism and others are all religions that are present in today’s world.
CONCLUSION:
In a nut shell, the two words – Deen and Religion that are wrongly
interchangeably used have philosophical and literal differences in their meanings. Philosophy
qualifies Deen to be the one having all qualities of Imaan, Ibadaat, Mu’amlaat and Ikhlaaq while
absence of any of these is called religion. In literal terms, religion is the set of rituals of worship,
whereas Deen is obedience and submission to the supreme Authority. The latter is a comprehensive
system of life, while the former is not.
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