Mu` meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah`s Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Asalam o Alakikum, I have been reading your emails for quite sometimes and it is proving very useful and my friend are also loving reading your emails..... Here is my question.... Islam is a Deen or a Mazhab(merely religion)?Because here in Subcontinent muslims uses the word Mazhab for the Islam.To my knowledge what i have gained from Qur`an Academy (institute of Qur`anic Knowledge and Wisdom) Islam is a Deen (a complete code of Life) which is related to every department of our life.Islam is a Socio-politico-Economic System. Whereas Mazhab only talks with the individual life (some rituals etc). There can be many mazhabs (religions) in a state but Deen will be only one.Whether it is Deen e Islam or Deen e Malik(rule of king) etc....... Please explain the broad concept of Islam in the Light of Qur`an and Hadeeth Jaza Kallahu Khairun. 

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Answer:

Difference between Deen and Madhab

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Indeed, Allah has used the term ‘deen’ to denote Islam in the Holy Quran. A ‘deen’ is something which forms the constitution of a way of life, while a ‘madhab’ is a school of thought or opinion in some aspect of the deen.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Al Maidah verse 3:

Today I (Allah) have perfected your deen for you and completed my Blessing on you and approved Islam as your deen (way of life).

The literal meaning of the term Islam is to surrender in humility and in obedience to someone. The deen of Islam is thus a way of life approved by the Creator, whereby the created slave of Allah surrenders his will to the Will of his Creator! That is precisely why this system or way of life is called Islam by Allah Subhanah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan