与前面已论及的三个术语一样，第四个也是最后一个基本的古兰经术语——"Deen"（丁，即"宗教/信仰/报应/服从"之义）——在阿拉伯人中有不同的内涵，其用法及其各种派生词都围绕以下四个基本概念或关系中的某一个而展开，等等，即：

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:

• 权势之下的支配，或对他人的操控，指由掌权者施加的影响。

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

• 服从者对权威的顺从、奴役，或崇拜。

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

• 在上述关系背景下所施加并要求遵守的法律、规则、条例或准则。

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

• 追究责任（即因服从或不服从权威，或遵从或不遵从其命令而追责）、作出裁决，以及宣布奖赏或惩罚。

• 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.

然而，在《古兰经》降示之前，这个词尚未成为一个正式的术语。阿拉伯人对其中所涉及的概念并不十分清晰，他们在这方面的观念也不甚崇高，这正是该词未能进入任何系统且公认的学派术语之中的原因。该词之所以在《古兰经》中获得了非常明确、清晰的内涵，显然是因为这个词特别适合其用途，正是这一点使它成为《古兰经》术语中最重要的词汇之一。在这一术语中，它代表整个生活方式，其组成要素包括：

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:

• 主权与最高权威。

• Sovereignty and supreme authority.

• 服从并顺从这样的权威。

• Obedience and submission to such authority.

• 通过行使该权威所确立的思想与行动体系。

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

• 当权者所施加的惩处，取决于人们对其的忠诚与服从，或是对其的反叛与违抗。

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

正如在其他情况下一样,《古兰经》在不同场合下会使用这个词的上述四种含义中的一种或多种;但当其意图是指整个生活方式时,它会在该词前加定冠词"al",使其读作"al-Deen"。此类不同用法的例子如下:

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: