Deen-e-Islam As The Religion Of Peace

Meaning of the word Deen

The word “Deen” means belief and practices that is done by Muslim Community, also known as the Religion. Deen is the way of living, a complete code of life. The Muslim scholars define Deen e Islam as a divinely ordained system of complete submission or worship to Allah (divinely God). Islam is the religion of peace and harmony. It teaches us the lessons of respect, love and tolerance.

There are so many other religions i.e. Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism etc. They don’t believe in one God ALLAH but their own gods and goddesses created by oneself such as statues.  Example of such practices are the people of Noah, Aad, Samud, who used to worship other gods. But the Muslims truly believe in the only God i.e. Allah Subhana wa Ta’allah and they worship him. Allah is the only creator of the worlds, Skies and lands, Heaven and Hell and every creature in. He is the Lord of everything.

Meaning of Islam

Islam is the name of a religion. Islam is the only true religion called Deen e Islam or Deen e Haq. It teaches to worship and believe in the only God i.e. Allah Rabbul Izzat.

The root word of Islam comes from silm and “Salam” which means peace be upon you. “Salam” may also means greeting one another with peace (i.e. engaging in no fight nor war)

The Arabic word “Islam” simply means, total submission to the will of Allah the creator and sustainer of all worlds. The followers of Deen-e-Islam are known as a Muslims in Arabic and “Muslim” in English. A person who is a Muslim is known as Musalman.

Quran says,

” The religion before Allah is Islam, nor did the people of the book dissent there from except through envy of each other after knowledge has come to them. But if anyone who denies the signs of Allah, Allah is swift in calling account.”

Surah Aal e Imran Verse 19

Islamic beliefs and practices

A Muslim who follows Islam beliefs in six different kinds of concepts.

1) Belief in Allah (the divinely God)

Muslim believe that there is only one God and no one is His partner, nor does he have any children or wives. He owns and controls all things in all worlds.

“Say that there is no god but Allah, Allah the absolute, nor did he give birth to anyone, nor he was born by anyone and He does not have any partner.”

Surah e Ikhlas

2) Belief in Prophets (sent by Allah)

There are about 124,000 Prophets sent by Allah, since this world was made. Muslims believe in all prophets who not only came before the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ but also strongly believe in Hazrat Muhammad(ﷺ)as the last and final prophet of Allah after which there is no one sent by God to give His message. Hazrat Muhammad (ﷺ) is the Last and Final prophet of Allah after him Allah has put a seal on the revelation and divine message. This seal is known as “Khatam e Nabuwat“.

The Holy Quran says, ” Muhammad is not the father of any of your man. However, he is the Messenger of Almighty Allah and the last seal of all prophets.”

3) Belief in the divine books (sent by Allah)

There are about 4 books sent to different prophets of Allah such as the Torah, Zabur, Bible and the Holy Quran. Muslims believe in all previous books and also the last and final book sent to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

” This is the book (the Quran) where if there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are believers”.

4) Belief in Angels of Allah Paak

Muslims believe that there are many Angels created by Allah in form of light (Noor), who not only worship Allah but also send messages (Revelation) to the prophets of Allah Subhana Wata’allah. Muslims strongly believe in the king of all angels i.e. Hazrat Jibrael A.S. He brings Allah’s messages (Wahi) to his all prophets.

5) Belief in Hereafter

The concept of Muslims in life after death is firm. They believe that Allah has given them only one life in the world, then there is the grave and then the day if testimony that is the Hereafter, life after death.

6) Belief in Destiny

Muslims believe that Allah has already written their destiny before sending them to earth, in the book known as “Loh e Mehfooz”. This destiny can’t be changed except by Dua (i.e. asking Allah in worship).

Purpose of life in Islam

Purpose of life in Islam is the total submission to the will of Allah. i.e. abiding by all the commandments of Allah written in the Holy Quran. According to the Quran, man has been created as the khalifa i.e. vicegerent, Nayeb of Allah, in this world who will deliver all rules and regulations sent by Allah to mankind and also follow them himself in a perfect manner. Narrating the story of Adam in Quran, Allah says to His angels that I have created a human who will be a my khalifa on earth. The angels asked, ” O! Lord weren’t we enough for your worship?” Allah said, ” I know that what you know not.”

(Surah Baqarah)

So as the Nayeb of Allah there are many duties of a Muslim in Islam. These duties determine the sole purpose of our life.

The Quran says,” Mankind was one single nation and Allah sent messengers to give glad tidings and warnings and with them He sent the book in truth and to judge between people in matters wherein they differed.”

Surah Baqarah verse 213

In the above verse it is clearly stated that man as a Muslim has been solely created to worship Allah.

1. Abide by truth and restraint from evil
2. Gain knowledge (mostly the knowledge of Deen)
3. Spread the message of Islam to the entire mankind.
4. Maintain peace in the society.
5. Maintain balance between Deen and Duniya (world).
6. Never fight, nor indulge in beatings and maintain discipline in all walks of life.
7. Use soft tones and don’t raise voice.
8. Nor gamble, nor drink alcohol.
9. Serve and speak politely to all people in his life and around him such as his parents.

So on and so forth.

” O! You who believe, enter in to Islam whole heartedly and follow not the footsteps of the evil one.”                                                                                                                     (Surah Baqarah verse 208)

Guide to become a better Muslim

Last but not least let us now discuss, how to become a better Muslim.

It is said in the Holy Quran related to Muhammad (ﷺ)that ” We have not sent you but a mercy for all the nations of the world.”

So a better Muslim is that who spreads harmony, peace, balance, tranquility, friendship between mankind. Allah has created us as the Best of the Nations so we should strive to become a good Muslim.

“Man shall have nothing but what he strives for.”

(Surah Najm verse 39)

So to become a better Muslim one should follow these steps:

1. Maintain equality in all religions of the world.
2. Never curse other religions or their followers.
3. Never discriminate between creed or color.
4. Believe that all men and women have equal rights in Islam.
5. Never criticize people
6. Believe that all mankind is like a family.
7. Maintain ties of kinship.
8. Serve humanity by all means.
9. Pray namaz, give zakat such as Sadqa or donation, help the poor, help the society, don’t fraud, don’t cheat, don’t fight.
10. Never raise a weapon or fight back.

Concluding the article, I must say:

“Allah Kareem and His Rasool (ﷺ) knows best.”