religion Archives

Below are some points that illustrate the importance of Din in human life:

Religion is a natural urge of man. The man has to satisfy his body as well as his soul.

Religion brings hope – In hours of grief, man gets consolation from religion. (Day of Judgment- Justice would be done in the life hereafter). Atheist becomes hopeless because he has no God to depend upon. Religion provides knowledge about man’s purpose in life and how it came into existence.

Religion causes fear of God which prevents a man from doing the wrong things. It tells that man would be answerable in the life hereafter so his deeds must be Good.

Religion brings loftiness of character. According to Allama Iqbal, “ It is the religion which has always given human beings loftiness of character and has been responsible for remodeling the society.”

Religion helps a man in balancing the worldly and non-worldly. One has to work hard for his livelihood and at the same time has to go to prayers. Religion prescribes a complete code of human life and therefore one can go on this path without fear and will not falter.

Difference between Din and Religion

The following points illustrate the difference between Din and Religion:

Madhab, or religion, is a term used for a set of beliefs and rituals of worship.

On the other hand, Deen refers to an entire way of life that pervades (constitutes) all aspects of life.

Mazhab is just a set of rules and regulations and Deen is a complete code of life (contains all walks of life i.e Ibadat, Ikhlaqiat, Muamlaat) and which is only one till the end of this universe and that is ISLAM as Allah says in Quran:

“Deen with Allah is Al-Islam.”(Al-Imran:# 19)

Mazhab is a Part of Deen.

In other words, as compared to Madhab, Deen is a far more comprehensive, all-encompassing reality.

With this backdrop, it will perhaps not be entirely correct to say that Islam is not a Madhab (religion), because all of the elements of a Madhab are certainly part and parcel of Islam – it includes the articles of belief, spirituality, and the etiquettes of worship (Salah, Saum, Zakah, and Hajj).

Hence, it would be more accurate to say that Islam is not merely a Madhab, but an entire code of life (Deen). It not only offers whatever constitutes religion but is endowed with the elements of a complete way of life. Hence, Islam is, essentially, Deen.

For complete Islamic notes click here.

Religion of Pre-Islamic Arabia

Their religious life and beliefs ranged from the worship of One Supreme God to the worship of rough stones, sand heaps, or any other object.
The place where the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was born was largely polytheist. Thought they believed in One God (it is not clear of they called him Allah or not), they didn’t worship Him wholly.
Even the gods or goddesses varied from tribe to tribe. In fact, some historians say that every other house had its own deity.
The most important of the gods or goddesses were al-Hubal, al-Uzza, al-Lat, al-Manat or few other lesser deities as Yagush, Wadd, Nasr, etc. Al-Hubal was particularly famous in Meccan region.
All these gods or goddesses were worshipped as idols placed in sanctuary or temple. Among the temples, Kaaba gradually assumed greater importance. It nearly contained 360 idols.
They had their own unique rites and ceremonies. Camels, goats, sheep, and sometimes human were sacrificed in the name of god.
The ancient Arabs were superstitious too. They believed in jinns as well as angels. They believed a cultivable land was an omen whereas an arid one was a bad sign.
Other religions existed too such as Christianity, Judaism or Zoroastrianism. But the native Arabs remained largely aloof to them. Judaism followers believed they were the ‘chosen’ one and Christians were busy selling alcohol.

For complete Islamic history notes click here.