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

In the examples given above, the word has been used more or less in the four different senses in which the Arabs employed it before the advent of Islam. It remains to give a few examples of its use to mean a whole way of life in which a person gives his submission and obedience to someone whom he regards as having the ultimate authority, shapes his conduct according to the bounds and laws and rules prescribed by that being, looks to him for recognition honour, and reward for loyal service, and fears the disgrace or punishment that could follow any lack on his part. There is perhaps no word in the terminology of any country or people - other than Muslims - which would comprehensively embrace all these factors. The word ‘state’ as employed in our own day does, to some extent, approximate to the sense, but even this word lacks the far wider connotation which would bring it on a par with the word Deen. Examples of the Qur'ānic use of deen in this comprehensive sense are as follows:

Fight those people who do not believe in Allah, nor in the Day of Judgement, nor do they treat as forbidden that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Prophet, and who do not make the true deen their deen; fight them until they decide to submit and agree to pay the Jizyah…. [This was a tax paid by all non-Muslim, who submitted to Islamic rule and were therefore entitled to its protection. Its incidence was light and was only paid by those who were capable of bearing arms and had the means to pay. In return, they were excused from military service; which is obligatory on the Muslims. Abu Asad] (at-Tawbah 9:29)

Here, the word deen obviously embraces belief in Allah, as the Supreme Authority, and submission and obedience to Him as a logical requirement following on from such recognition, the raising after death and calling to account, pronouncing judgement, and pronouncing and implementing reward or punishment, as also the code which prescribes what is permitted and what is forbidden. It is after having detailed these four factors that the Qur'ān accuses the people involved of not making the true deen their deen too.

And, said the Pharaoh: Leave me to slay Musa, and then let him call upon his Rabb (to save him). (I must slay him for) I am very much afraid that he might change your deen or disturb the peace of land. (al-Ghaafir 40:26)

In the light of all the details contained in the Qur'ān of what transpired between the Pharaoh and Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace), it is clear that the word deen as used here does not stand only for ‘religion’ but covers also the whole politico-social and cultural set-up.

The Pharaoh’s contention was that if Hazrat Musa (on whom be peace) succeeded in his mission, there would come about a revolutionary change in which the prevailing way of life with the Pharaoh as the ultimate authority, together with all the laws, rules, and customs etc., would be uprooted, and either a whole new way of life would take its place on completely new foundations, or no new way of life would establish itself at all and the land would fall a prey to anarchy.

Insofar as Allah’s scheme for man goes, the only Deen for him is ‘Islam’ and none other…. (aal-’Imran 3:19)

And whosoever seeks any deen other than ‘Islam’, it shall never receive acceptance…. (aal-’Imran 3:85)

It is He - Allah - Who sent his Messenger with true Guidance, and with the True Deen to make it triumph over other deens, caring naught what annoyance this may cause to those who associate others with Him. (at-Tawbah 9:33)

And continue the fight against them until all mischief is effectively destroyed and the only deen holding away is Allah’s deen and none other.

(al-Anfaal 8:39)

When Allah’s help arrives, and victory results, and you see people joining in Allah’s deen in crowd, then Glorify your Rabb, and beg forgiveness of Him, for He is the Oft-Forgiving?

[Perhaps the more correct translation than the one I have acutely chosen would be when Allah’s special help arrived, and victory resulted, then it is your duty that you Glorify your Rabb (Who sent the help and gave you the victory) and that you seek forgiveness of Him (for any failing you may have unwittingly committed); Verily He is the Oft-Forgiving. Abu Asad] (an-Nasr 110)

In all these verses, the word Deen stands for the complete way of life, including man’s beliefs, his moral principles, and his behaviour in all walks of life.

In the first two verses it is said that the right and proper way of life intended by God for man is that founded on obedience to Him and conformity to His Laws. Any other way of life, based on someone else’s supposed right to ultimate authority and submission to it, has not the slightest place in Allah’s scheme for man and is hence wholly unacceptable to Him.

And this is but natural. Man is God’s creature and lives in His Domain and God is his Master and Sustainer. How then, can God be expected to consent that man may spend his life in obedience to someone else similarly His creature and dependant, and look to that someone for guidance? The third verse proclaims that Allah sent His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلمwith the true Deen, the way of life meant by Him for man, which is known as Islam, and it was the primary purpose of the Prophet’s mission that he should make this Deen prevail in their stead and triumph over all other ways of life.

In the fourth, the believers have been ordered to fight all non-believers until mischief — that is, every system of thought, belief, and action which is not based on recognition of Allah as the Supreme Authority, and which therefore will perpetually remain the source of all strife and unrest — has been wiped out, and entire humanity adopts the approved way of life, Allah’s Deen.

The fifth set of verses was revealed when, after twenty three years of prolonged struggle the Islamic Revolution had overcome all resistance in Arabia, when Islam had established itself and been universally accepted as a system of belief, thought, morality, culture, etc., in all its details and in all walks of life, and delegation after delegation from all parts of the country was arriving to pledge allegiance to it, and the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمwas thus witnessing the fulfilment of his mission. After referring to this, the verse goes on to tell the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم not to let any sentiments of vanity or pride arise in his mind and make him feel that he owed the success to himself. Allah, the Rabb of all, and of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمtoo, is alone free of all shortcomings and failings and complete and perfect in every respect. Therefore, any credit for the success which crowned the Prophet’s efforts, was due rightfully to Him alone, and the Prophet should Glorify Him, and utter His praises, and beg forgiveness for any possible shortcomings that might have occurred during his twenty three years long term of service to his Lord. [May Allah’s choicest peace and blessings be upon this most pious and perfect of human beings, our intercessor with Allah, on the Day of Judgement! May Allah forgive the translator for any failing or short-coming is this humble effort to present His Deen - Abu Asad]