PMS 2020 Solved Islamiat Past Papers | The Difference Between Deen and Religion
The following question of PMS Islamiat 2022 is solved by Hamail Syed, under the supervision of Howfiv’s Islamiat Coach, Miss Ayesha Irfan. Moreover, the question is attempted using the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, who have scored the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner asked about the difference between deen and religion and the need for and importance of deen in human life. This question is divided into two sub-questions, carrying ten marks each. First, you must write at least five differences between deen and religion. Afterwards, you have to write three arguments, each for the need for and the importance of deen in human life, with strong evidence. Finally, end your answer with a critical analysis and a conclusion.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Understanding Deen in light of the Quran
3-Explaining the differences between Deen and religion
- ✓Scope
- Deen: A complete code of life
Evidence: “There are seven categories of people whom God will shelter under His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His. One is the just leader.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Religion: A narrow focus on spirituality
For example, in Christianity, the focus is on worshipping God through prayer and attending church services.
- ✓Universal Applicability
- Deen: Timeless guidance for all humanity
Evidence: “And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind.” (Surah Al-Maida, verse 32)
- Religion: Limited guidance for a particular group
For example, cremation is a Hindu custom that might not be accepted in Christian or Jewish societies.
- ✓Purpose
- Deen: Development of a just and harmonious society
Evidence: “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both.” (Surah An-Nisa, verse 135)
- Religion: Personal salvation
For example, Buddhism uses the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths to strive for personal enlightenment, Nirvana. Buddhists believe they can experience spiritual enlightenment and be freed from pain by adhering to these ideals.
- ✓Source
- Deen’s foundation: Divine guidance
For example, in Deen-e-Islam, the Quran, which is Allah Almighty’s exact word, and the Hadith, which are collections of the holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) sayings and actions, are clear examples of divine revelations, and they are the primary sources of guidance for humanity.
- Religion’s foundation: Customs and human experience
For example, the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a human who pursued enlightenment, gave rise to Buddhism. Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who strongly emphasised moral principles and social conventions, is also the source of Confucianism.
- ✓Social welfare
- Deen: A comprehensive approach to social welfare
Evidence: “Establish prayer and pay Zakat. Whatever good you send forth for yourself, you will certainly find its reward with Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 110)
- Religion: An individualistic approach to charity
For example, Tzedakah is a donation that Jews are encouraged to make to people or organizations that are in need. This is essentially a personal act of generosity.
4-Elucidating the need for Deen in human life
- ✓Giving a purpose to human life
- ✓Unlocking life’s mysteries
- ✓Preserving human dignity
5-Delineating the importance of Deen in human life
- ✓The beacon of light in darkness
- ✓A Spiritual Cure for the Modern Man
- ✓A shield against evil
6-Critical analysis
7-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The distinction between deen and religion is more than just semantic; undeniably, there is a profound chasm between the two. These concepts have distinct scopes, goals, sources, applications, and approaches. When comparing deen and religion, deen focuses on man’s relationship with God and his fellow creatures, whereas religion concentrates on man’s relationship with God. Moreover, deen is defined as a comprehensive way of life that controls all areas of human existence, including the spiritual, moral, social, political, legal, and economic components, emphasizing its broad breadth. On the flip side, religion is defined as a set of thoughts, practices, and rituals that focus on the spiritual or theological aspects of human existence, highlighting its narrow scope. Now, unravelling the need for deen in human life unequivocally, a man needs deen to understand the purpose of existence, uncover the world’s mysteries, and live a dignified life. After that, it is pertinent to shed light on the importance of deen in human life. Essentially, deen guides a man from darkness to light; it also provides holistic remedies for ailments of the soul, such as depression, hopelessness, and emptiness. Along with that, the teachings of deen as a shield against evil acts illuminate the right path for humanity. Therefore, deen is a complete code of life, guiding people towards a balanced, peaceful, harmonious, and successful life.
Understanding Deen in light of the Quran
In addition, Deen is an Arabic word used in the Holy Quran to convey distinct meanings: law, judgment, way of life, and submission to Allah. Undoubtedly, Islam is more than a religion; it is a deen which provides humanity with comprehensive laws for both individual and community affairs. So, Allah Almighty used the term Deen for Islam. Verse 3 of Surah Al-Maidah states, “This day, I have perfected your Deen for you, completed my favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your Deen.” In this verse, the word deen reflects that along with providing a belief system and notion of worship to meet the spiritual and metaphysical demands of individual life, Islam also encompasses social, political, economic, and legal regulations and cultural standards for the benefit of society. Therefore, Deen-e-Islam is a complete code of life for human beings.
Explaining the differences between Deen and religion
Delving into the difference between deen and religion, some key contrasting points are discussed below.
Scope
- Deen: A complete code of life
First, deen has a comprehensive scope, as it directs people in all affairs of their lives. Essentially, Deen-e-Islam provides guidance not only on faith, worship, and rituals but also on family, marriage, health, education, justice, finance, and governance. Deen-e-Islam provides guidelines for good governance, reflecting the comprehensive scope of Deen. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has been quoted in Sahih Muslim, saying, “There are seven categories of people whom God will shelter under His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His. One is the just leader.” This fact highlights that Islam is a deen, as it provides expansive guidance in every aspect of human life. In addition, Deen-e-Islam also promotes fair pricing, ethical commercial conduct, and openness in trade and business, manifesting the broader scope of deen. Verse 35 of Surah Bani Israel states, “And measure full when you measure. And weigh with an even balance. This is better, and its end is good.” This verse depicts that Deen-e-Islam teaches fairness in commerce and trade as well. To sum up, Deen has a comprehensive approach guiding every aspect of human life.
- Religion: A narrow focus on spirituality
Contrarily, religion only guides holy and spiritual affairs, such as belief systems, worship forms, and the following of particular religious customs and festivals; therefore, it is more constrained than deen. It essentially addresses the relationship between man and God. For example, in Christianity, the focus is on worshipping God through prayer and attending church services. In succession, religion also emphasizes spiritual practices, such as meditation, fasting, and pilgrimage. For instance, Hinduism focuses on spiritual practices like yoga, meditation, and pilgrimage to sacred sites. These facts manifest that religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism, offer their adherents instruction on matters of worship, rituals, and religious festivals. Still, they are ineffective in guiding human economic, political, and legal issues. Man-made moral laws are the foundation for their political, economic, and legal concerns. As a result, religion provides both individual and collective spiritual guidance only.
Universal Applicability
- Deen: Timeless guidance for all humanity
Secondly, Deen, as an all-encompassing lifestyle, is applicable everywhere and cuts across both time and space. All people can relate to its ideals and ideas, regardless of their circumstances or origin. Deen-e-Islam preaches kindness and compassion for all living things; this idea certainly applies to everyone. Moreover, deen also forbids violence and murder and stresses the value of human life. The Quranic verse 32 of Surah Al-Maida, which states, “And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the lives of all mankind,” exemplifies the worldwide relevance of this notion. In addition, Deen stresses the value of helping those in need and exercising social responsibility. Quranic verse 8 of Surah Al-Insan, which states, “And give food—despite their desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive,” exemplifies the broad applicability of this principle. These facts demonstrate that Deen-e-Islam established globally accepted guidelines for social duty. In short, deen can be used worldwide, emphasizing its significance to every facet of human existence, irrespective of limits related to geography, culture, or time.
- Religion: Limited guidance for a particular group
On the flip side, the application and interpretation of every religion can differ substantially among cultures, societies, and individuals. The concept of “God” or the “Divine” varies greatly between Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. For instance, in Japan, Shintoism emphasizes the worship of nature spirits and ancestors, whereas in India, Hinduism focuses on the worship of multiple deities. This fact shows that the faith and belief regarding God differ in every religion. In succession, different religions have unique rituals and practices that may not be applicable or relevant to others. For example, cremation is a Hindu custom that might not be accepted in Christian or Jewish societies. Unquestionably, the methods of worship are also different in every religion. Christians sing in church while Hindus light lamps and ring bells; these are the glaring examples of different acts of worship in different religions. Therefore, religious teachings and practices are not universal.
Purpose
- Deen: Development of a just and harmonious society
Third, Deen seeks to promote individual and collective development by establishing a fair and peaceful society. Justice is a central idea in Deen that includes equality, fairness, and compassion. Its foundation is that everyone is equal and worthy of dignity, respect, and rights. Verily, Deen-e-Islam promotes social justice by prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, language, or social status. Coupled with that, Deen-e-Islam also ensures a fair justice system to eliminate discrimination from society. Verse 135 of Surah An-Nisa states, “O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both.” This verse emphasizes how Deen-e-Islam instructs Muslims to maintain objectivity in their judicial dealings, resulting in a fair and peaceful society. Ergo, Deen seeks to uphold social justice to foster collective growth and prosperity.
- Religion: Personal salvation
In contrast, religions emphasise personal salvation more than fostering social progress. Salvation is the removal of sins or spiritual darkness, achieving spiritual enlightenment and forgiveness. Religions undoubtedly offer a variety of spiritual practices to help people in their quest for redemption, including prayer, meditation, and ceremonies. Consequently, religions strongly emphasise personal accountability for one’s deeds and spiritual development. For example, Buddhism uses the Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths to strive for personal enlightenment, Nirvana. Buddhists believe they can experience spiritual enlightenment and be freed from pain by adhering to these ideals. This fact illustrates how religion alone emphasizes the relationship between humans and God, emphasizing personal growth. Additionally, the Hindu caste system is a stark illustration of how religion prioritizes individualism over societal development. Therefore, religion emphasizes personal salvation by offering a framework for moral duty, spiritual development, and personal accountability.
Source
- Deen’s foundation: Divine guidance
Fourth, unequivocally, deen is based on divine revelations from Allah, the Exalted. Divine revelation is the dissemination of divine truth or direction to humanity by Allah Almighty via various channels, including scriptures, angels, and prophets. In essence, in Deen-e-Islam, Allah Almighty revealed guidance to his prophets, such as Hazrat Adam (A.S.), Hazrat Ibraham (A.S.), Hazrat Mosa (A.S.), Hazrat Isa (A.S.), and Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), to convey divine messages to humans. Evidently, in deen-e-Islam, the Quran, which is Allah Almighty’s exact word, and the Hadith, which are collections of the holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) sayings and actions, are clear examples of divine revelations, and they are the primary sources of guidance for humanity. Indeed, adhering to these divine revelations can help believers develop a profound understanding of Allah’s will, leading to a balanced and harmonious life that embodies the virtues of justice, compassion, and righteousness.
Religion’s foundation: Customs and human experience
Unlike deen, religions are frequently shaped by historical circumstances, cultural influences, and human experiences rather than being exclusively founded on divine revelations. For example, the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, a human who pursued enlightenment, gave rise to Buddhism. Confucius, a Chinese philosopher who strongly emphasised moral principles and social conventions, is also the source of Confucianism. These instances show how religions are founded on divine revelations and influenced by human elements. Unlike deen, which is founded on divine revelations, religion is impacted by human interpretations, experiences, culture, and traditions.
Social welfare
- Deen: A comprehensive approach to social welfare
Fifth, deen offers an all-encompassing economic structure that promotes social welfare and guarantees justice and fairness in society. Undoubtedly, Deen-e-Islam, apart from encouraging acts of charity, also sets up the proper Zakat system to distribute wealth. Along with that, Islam prohibits bribery and interest rates and creates regulations for buying and selling commodities, thereby providing a wholesome mechanism for the welfare of society. Verse 110 of Surah Al-Baqarah states, “Establish prayer and pay Zakat. Whatever good you send forth for yourself, you will certainly find its reward with Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.” This verse illustrates that Deen-e-Islam offers people the ideal zakat system since it supports social justice and economic equality by collecting and distributing Zakat to the weak, needy, and impoverished elements of society, resulting in collective growth. Hence, Deen set the foundation for a comprehensive economic system that promotes social justice and fairness.
- Religion: An individualistic approach to charity
On the other hand, religion emphasizes generosity and compassion on an individual basis rather than a structural or collective response to social and economic problems like deem. Tzedakah (charity), for example, is seen as a basic duty in Judaism. Tzedakah is a donation that Jews are encouraged to make to people or organizations that are in need. This is essentially a personal act of generosity. This fact demonstrates how religion encourages personal generosity and philanthropy. Yet, Deen offers comprehensive and efficient economic solutions, like the Zakat system, to end poverty and promote social welfare. Thus, religion is solely concerned with individual development.
Elucidating the need for Deen in human life
Going down the ladder, deen is undoubtedly an important element of human life. Here, light has been shed on some points explaining the need for deen in human life.
- Giving a purpose to life
To begin with, humans require deen to understand the reason and purpose of their existence. Undoubtedly, deen gives humans a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives, assisting them in understanding their role in the world. Certainly, in Deen-e-Islam, the concept of worship helps Muslims realize their life purpose as servants of Allah. Verse 56 of Surah Adh-Dhariyat states, “I did not create jinn and humans except to worship me.” This verse tells that the purpose of human beings in this world is to worship their Lord, Allah Almighty, and to follow His commandments in every affair of life. Moreover, in Deen-e-Islam, the concept of doomsday reflects that this world is temporary; therefore, Muslims believe that the sole purpose of their life is to do good virtues to get a reward in the hereafter life. In short, deen highlights the purpose of human existence, helping them to live a meaningful and peaceful life.
- Unlocking life’s mysteries
Next, humans have long been fascinated by the mysteries of the cosmos, including life and death. Despite progress in science and technology, many issues remain unresolved. Essentially, Deen-e-Islam offers a comprehensive framework for unravelling these puzzles. Verse 54 of Surah Al-Araf states, “Indeed your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself on the throne. He makes the Day and night overlap in rapid succession. He created the sun, the moon, and the stars—all subjected to His command. The creation and the command belong to Him alone. Blessed is Allah, the Lord of all worlds!” This verse shows how the Quran explains the origins of the universe, presenting it as a creation of Allah, who brought it into being by His decree. Similarly, Deen-e-Islam provides a consoling explanation for death, characterizing it as a transition to the hereafter in which people will be held accountable for their actions and rewarded or punished accordingly. As a result, by embracing deen Islam, mankind can obtain a better knowledge of these riddles and find peace and direction in their life.
- Preserving human dignity
Coupled with that, Deen’s concept of Toheed unequivocally protects the dignity and self-respect of humans. Basically, deen helps believers recognize Allah as their only Master, Lord, and Sovereign, thus saving themselves from being a servant and subservient to anybody except Him. In addition, believers consider Allah Almighty only as the Giver of reward and punishment; hence, they are never afraid of being accountable to anybody except Him. Verse 77 of Surah Al-Hajj states, “O believers! Bow down, prostrate yourselves, worship your Lord, and do what is good so that you may be successful.” This verse indicates that deen helps man recognize Allah, the Exalted, alone as the Possessor of Dignity; therefore, deen does not allow a man to bow himself before anybody except Allah. Furthermore, believers only ask from Allah Almighty, who is the Lord of the universe. As a result, they do not get humiliated by asking anyone else for their needs. Thus, the believers know that Allah alone is the possessor of all power, the provider of his needs, which makes him indifferent to, independent of, and fearless of all powers other than Allah, the Magnificent.
Delineating the importance of Deen in human life
After elucidating the need for Deen in human life, light has been shed in the following section on some key points explaining the importance of Deen in human life.
- The beacon of light in the darkness
In succession, Deen-e-Islam guides humanity from the darkness of ignorance, sin, and oppression to the light of knowledge, wisdom, and righteousness. Before the arrival of Islam, people were morally corrupt and ignorant. Islam taught people about the criteria of right and wrong, leading humanity towards righteousness. Verse 1 of Surah Ibrahim states, “Alif-Lam-Ra. This is a book which We have revealed to you, O Prophet, so that you may lead people out of darkness and into light, by the will of their Lord, to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.” This verse highlights that Deen brings humanity out of darkness and into light. Furthermore, the Islamic concept of repentance, Taubah, which represents the passage from darkness to light, provides a clear way for people to ask for forgiveness for past transgressions and begin anew. Therefore, Deen-e-Islam opens the way for humanity by offering direction, pardon, and salvation, guiding people from the depths of darkness to the brightness of spiritual awareness.
- A spiritual cure for the modern man
Along with that, Deen-e-Islam functions as a spiritual cure for modern man, providing comprehensive solutions to soul illnesses. Unfortunately, in today’s fast-paced society, people frequently experience fear, anxiety, and feelings of emptiness, regardless of their financial belongings. In this sense, Deen-e-Islam offers a spiritual remedy in the form of worship, such as the five daily prayers, which promote peace and connection with Allah. Furthermore, the Deen-Islam principle of “tawakkul” (faith in Allah) urges people to trust Allah in times of worry and fear, fostering a sense of reliance and confidence. Verse 160 of Surah Al-Imran states, “If Allah helps you, none can defeat you. But if He denies you help, then who else can help you? So in Allah let the believers put their trust.” This verse illustrates that a man should trust Allah, the Lord of the universe, throughout times of adversity. In addition, repentance cleanses the soul of the impurities of sin, allowing people to emerge from the abyss of depression. Thus, Deen-e-Islam provides spiritual healing, consolation, and guidance to modern men, resulting in a more balanced, tranquil, and meaningful life.
- A shield against evil
Lastly, the teachings of deen serve as a strong deterrent to evil deeds, protecting people from the allure of immoral activities and Satan’s temptations. Thus, by adhering to Deen’s teachings, individuals can have a strong moral compass that enables them to distinguish between right and wrong. Clearly, the Quran warns humans against the perils of greed, envy, and pride, advising believers to cultivate humility, thankfulness, and compassion instead. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has been quoted in Sahih Muslim, saying, “Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the day of resurrection.” This Hadith highlights how the teachings of the holy Prophet (PBUH) protect people from aggression and injustice. Likewise, the holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also emphasizes the significance of restraining one’s inner desires and abstaining from immoral actions like lying, cheating, and hurting other people. Therefore, people can fortify their defences against evil, protect themselves from the world’s harmful influences, and maintain their moral integrity by internalizing the teachings of Deen.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the difference between deen and religion is not just semantic; rather, these terms represent essential distinctions in meaning, scope, goal, source, application, and approach. Essentially, deen guides people toward a balanced and righteous path by embodying an all-encompassing and integrated way of living that covers every facet of human existence. However, religion tends to relate to a more limited range of ritualistic and spiritual behaviours that may not necessarily provide guidance on all aspects of human life. Now, shedding light on the need for deen in human life, a man needs deen to understand the purpose of his existence in this world, to solve the mysteries of the world, and to live a dignified life. Besides that, it is pertinent to highlight the importance of deen in human life. Essentially, deen leads a man from darkness to light; it provides holistic remedies for ailments of the soul. Also, Deen’s teachings act as a guard against evil acts. In a nutshell, deen is a complete code of life.
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