DEEN
DIN

religion. See also RELIGION. Depending on context, deen can also mean law, habit, traditions, etc. Faith is IMAN, and doctrine/right belief is AQEEDA.

The various meanings of deen:

  1. religion:

    He it is Who hath sent His messenger with the guidance and the Religion (deen) of Truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religion, however much the idolaters may be averse. (at-Taubah 9:33)

    The decision rests with Allah only, Who hath commanded you that ye worship none save Him. This is the right religion (deen), but most men know not. (Yusuf 12:40)

  2. law:

    "Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not take his brother by the law (deen) of the king except that Allah willed it (so). We raise to degrees (of wisdom) whom We please: but over all endued with knowledge is One the All-Knowing"

  3. habit, traditions:

    Ali have said "the love of knowledge is a deen that is followed" and he means a habit, And the Arabs say "ma zal dha'lika deeni" which means that was still my habit.

    And Pharaoh said: Suffer me to kill Moses, and let him cry unto his Lord. Lo! I fear that he will alter your religion (deen) or that he will cause confusion in the land. (al-Mu'min 40:26)

  4. account, dues, judgment:

    "Master of the Day of Judgment (deen)" (al-Fatihah 1:4)

    On that day Allah will pay them their just due (deenahum), and they will know that Allah, He is the Manifest Truth. (an-Nur 24:25)

    " `When we die and become dust and bones shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments? (madeenoon)'" (as-Saffat 37:53, Yusuf Ali's translation)

    Why then, if ye are not in bondage (madeeneen) (unto Us), (al-Waqi`ah 56:86)

  5. the state or the condition one feels at a certain time.


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