What is "Deen" al Islam?

"No doubt, the means of executing judgement with Allah, acceptable to Allah, is Islam itself. The acceptable way of dealing with people is Islam." (Qur'an 3: 19)

The most common translation of Deen is religion, however the meaning is far more profound and deeper than the way it is translated in modern English. The word Deen encompasses every interaction and transaction that a human being experiences in her lifetime. This verse from the Qur'an stipulates that every time a person deals with someone, it is Deen (the very essence of religion). 

The word  ٱلدِّينَ Deen (religion) is from day-n (loan).  A loan is a very specific expectation between two parties. Similarly, Deen (religion) is to honour the specific expectations between people who are committed to each other, such as a husband and wife, father and son, father and daughter etc. The rights that are due to extended relatives, the commitment a teacher has to her students, government to its citizens are all part of Deen (religion). This is because these relationships come with specific expectations that have defined parameters. 
According to a famous Arab proverb: Tu deenu tu daanu - The way you deal with others, you will be dealt with, explains that Deen is a way of dealing with people.  Hence, Muslims are upon the Deen when we fulfill their obligations and trusts to whom they are due. 

Deen is a way of dealing with life. This implies every interaction and every dealing one has in her life.  Deen (religion) is submitting our every deal, decision, interaction, transaction to Allah first for His approval. 

Many Muslims think that the essence of Deen is centred around worshipping Allah through praying and fasting. However, dealing with people in a good manner is JUST AS IMPORTANT as praying and fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w), "No deed that will be placed on the scale of deeds (on the Day of Judgement) will heavier than good character. Indeed, a person with good character will attain the rank of those with a good record of voluntary fasts and prayers." (at-Tirmidhee) In other words, praying Salah five times a day should not impede one from being gentle, affectionate and helpful with dealing with people.  Our Deen is not complete until we are both, observant of our prayers and fasts AND kindhearted, merciful and generous in our interaction with all people. 
The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) also said, "the dearest to me among you (Muslims) and the nearest to me on the Day of Judgement are those who have the best character." (at-Tirmidhee). The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was the most considerate, magnanimous man on earth. If we claim to follow him and want to be with him in the next life, then we must ACT like him in this life. 


Many non-Muslims believe that Islam is a violent Deen. It

commands people to be very rude, and obnoxious towards people. Non-Muslims are scared of us because they think we are dangerous and harmful. Nothing could be further from the truth.  In Islam, every Muslim's Deen is to take care of all plants and animals [i]. In other words, it is our Deen to be friends of the earth. We bleed Green! 

A Muslim husband's Deen is to live with his wife in kindness. (Qur'an, 4:19) The cases of wife-beating, acid throwing, child-marriages, in Muslim families are NOT Deen. They are a DISGRACE to Deen.  These abuses happen because people who claim to be Muslim are UNAWARE of their Deen. 

A neighbour's Deen is to be generous with her neighbours and to treat them like her siblings [ii-iii]. As part of our Deen, Muslims living in Canada, US, France, Germany or anywhere in the world, must treat their fellow citizens with selflessness and hospitality. Any Muslim who shoots people in a public space or drives a bus over them is NOT upon the Deen. They are mentally disabled, conceited, narcissists with Muslim names with Muslim appearances. But they are the Deen's BLACK SHEEP. 

I ask Allah to first enable me and all Muslims to live upon the right Deen. ameen. 


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i. The people asked, “Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in serving these animals?” “Yes,” he replied, “There is a reward for serving every living thing.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: 5663; Saheeh Muslim: 2244).
ii. Prophet, , exhorted Muslims to be good to their neighbors and to honor them when he said: “… and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his neighbor generously.” The narration of Muslim 
iii. The Prophet, , said: “By the One in whose Hands, my soul is, no slave of Allah has true faith unless he likes for his neighbor what he likes for himself.”