The Deen of Islam
He also says: “This day,[i] I have perfected your religion for you, and completed my
Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Al-Islam as your Deen”. (Qur’an 5:3).
Truly, the Deen before Allah is Al-Islam[ii]. (Qur’an 3: 19).
And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. (Qur’an 3:85).
Allah ordained that mankind must submit to Him in Islam. He said addressing His Messenger:
Say (O Muhammad) ‘O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah-to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He); It is He Who gives life and causes death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believes in Allah and His
Word[iii], and follow him so that you may be guided. (Qur’an 7:158).
It is reported in Saheeh Muslim[iv] on the authority of Abu Hurairah-radiyallahu anh, that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alayhi wassallam said: “By Him (Allah) in Whose Hand Muhammad’s soul is, there is none from amongst the Jews and the Christians (of these present nations) who hears about me and then dies without believing in the Message with which I have been sent (i.e. Tawheed), but he will be from the dwellers of the (Hell) Fire.”[v]
The belief in the Prophet Muhammad- sallallahu alayhi wassallam is the attestation with full acceptance and submission, not just mere attestation, that what he brought forth is the truth. That is why Abu Taalib (the uncle of the Prophet-sallallahu alayhi wassallam did not become a believer in the Messenger, despite his attestation to what the Prophet brought forth and his witness that it is the best of religions.
The Deen of Islam embraces all of the human welfare that is comprised in the previous religions; it is distinguished above all religions in its suitability for all times, places, and nations. Allah addresses His
Messenger-sallallahu alayhi wassallam Saying: And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad) the Book (this Qur’an) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scripture). (Qur’an 5: 48).
The suitability of the Deen means that adhering to Islam does not contradict the welfare of the Ummah (Muslim community at large) in any place or in any time. Indeed it is its betterment and thriving. This does not mean, however, that the Deen is subjugate to every time, place, and Ummah as some people like it to be.
The Deen of Islam is the Deen of the Truth, whoever truly adheres to it; Allah guarantees him victory and makes him prevail on everyone else who doesn’t. Allah says: He it is Who sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with guidance and the Deen of the truth to make it prevail over all (other) religions even though the Mushrikeen hate (it). (Qur’an 61:9).
“Allah has promised, to those among you who believe, and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the land, as He granted it to those before them; and that He will grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). (Qur’an 24:55).
The Deen of Islam is ‘Aqeedah (Creed) and Sharee’ah (Legislation), and it is perfect in both. Islam commands:
1-The Tawheed and forbids Shirk (setting associates with Allah).
2-Truthfulness, and forbids lying.
3-Justice[vi], and forbids oppression.
4-Trustworthiness, and forbids treachery.
5-Faithfulness, and forbids betrayal.
6-To be good and dutiful to one’s parents, and forbids being disrespectful to them.
7-To keep relations with kinship, and forbids severing the ties with them.
8-To have good relations with one’s neighborhood, and forbids all forms of ill treatment to the neighbors.
Generally speaking, Islam commands all noble morals, and forbids all ill and despicable manners; it also commands righteousness and forbids wrong. Allah says: “Verily, Allah enjoins Al-’Adl (i.e. justice and worshipping none but Allah) and ‘Al-Ihsaan[vii], and giving help to kith and kin[viii], and
forbids Al-Fahshaa[ix], Al-Munkar[x], and Al-Baghy.[xi] (Qur’an 16:90).[xii]
[i] This ayah (verse) was sent down during Hadjatul Wadaa’ (Farewell Pilgrimage) of the
Prophet _, on the Day of ‘Arafat which was a Friday.
[ii] Which means that Islam is the only Deen that Allah will accept from His slaves. See
“Tafseer Ibn Katheer” for the meaning of the above ayah.
[iii] 7Allah’s Words include all the Messages sent to the Prophets: The Qur’an, the Torah and
the Gospel (in their original texts), Az-Zaboor, the Psalms. Also it includes Allah’s Word: &('
Kunn (Be!)-and he was i.e. Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon him. See M.M. Khan and M.T.
Al-Hilaallee’s “Interpretation of the Meaning of the Noble Qur’an,” surah 7, ayah 158.
[TN]
[iv] 8Is a collection of authentic hadith narrations compiled by Imam Muslim: Abul Hasain
Muslim bin al-Hajjaaj bin Muslim al Qushairi an-Naisaburi (202 (6)-261Hj /817; (821)-875)
CE). [TN]
[v] Saheeh Muslim, vol. 1, hadith # 284.
[vi] 10Justice is establishing equality between similar things and differentiating between different
things. Justice is not absolute equality as generalized by some people when they say: “The
Deen of Islam is the Deen of equality.” Establishing equality between different things is
injustice that is not brought forth by Islam, and the person who does that is not to be
praised.”-A footnote by our Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh al-‘Uthimeen (may Allah’s
Mercy be upon him).
[vii] Al-Ihsaan: In this ayah it means to be patient in performing one’s duties to Allah, totally
for His sake and in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet _ in a perfect manner. [TN].
[viii] 12Degree of kinship: First of all, your parents, then your offspring, then your brothers and
sisters, then your paternal uncles and aunts (from the father’s side), then your maternal uncles
and aunts (from the mother’s side), and then other relatives. [TN].
[ix] 13Al-Fahshaa’: All evil deeds, e.g. illegal sexual intercourse, disobedience to parents, to tell
lies, to steal, etc. [TN].
[x] 14Al-Munkar: All that is prohibited by Islamic Law: polytheism, disbelief, and every kind of
evil deeds, etc. [TN].
[xi] 15Al-Baghey: All kinds of oppression TN
[xii] M. B.S. Al-Uthaimen “Explaining the Foundations of Islam” Dr. Saleh As-Saleh
Latest Edition, 1427/2006
