Four Key Concepts Of The Qur’ān by Sayyid Abul A’lā Mawdūdī (r)

Like the three terms already dealt with, the fourth, and last of the basic Qur'ānic terms, namely, Deen, had different connotations among the Arabs, and their use of it and its various derivatives revolved round one or other of the following four basic concepts or relationships, etc., namely:

• Dominance, or sway, on the part of someone in authority.

• Obedience, servitude, or worship on the part of the one submitting to the authority.

• Laws, rules or regulations or code imposed, and required to be observed, in the context of the above relationship.

• Calling to account (for obedience or non-obedience to the Authority or for compliance or non-compliance with its dictates), passing judgement, and pronouncing reward or punishment.

The word had not, however, attained the status of a formal term as such before the revelation of the Qur'ān. The Arabs were not very clear in their minds as to the concepts involved nor were their ideas lofty in this context and that is the reason why the word had not found its way into the terminology of any systematic and recognized school of thought. It was in the Qur'ān in which, obviously because the word was particularly suited to its purpose, that it was given very clearcut and definite connotations, and it was this aspect which made the word one of the most important in the Qur'ānic terminology. In that terminology, it stands for the entire way of life, of which the composite factors are:

• Sovereignty and supreme authority.

• Obedience and submission to such authority.

• The system of thought and action established through the exercise of that authority.

• Retribution meted out by the authority, in consideration of loyalty and obedience to it, or rebellion and transgression against it.

And, as in other cases, the Qur'ān employs the term, on different occasions, in one or more of the above four senses, but where the intention is to imply the whole way of life, it uses the definite article ‘al’ before the word, to make it read ‘al-Deen’. Examples of such different uses are as follows: