1.Definition of religion

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Definition of religion

We say Islam is a religion. But, is theIslamic concept of religion same as thegeneral (or Western) understanding of

religion?There are about 9 definitions of religion

in Encyclopedia of Philosophy.(i) Religion is the belief in an ever living

God, that is, in a Divine Mind and Willruling the universe and holding moralrelations with mankind.__ James

Martineau


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It talks about belief & no action, plussuch a belief doesnt exist in polytheist

religions like Buddhism. (ii) Religion is the recognition that all

things are manifestations of a power whichtranscends our knowledge.__ HerbertSpencer

no action, practice etc.


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(iii) Religion is rather the attempt to express thecomplete reality of goodness through everyaspect of our being.__ F. H. Bradley

(IV) Religion is ethics heightened, enkindled, litup by feeling.__ Matthew Arnold

Bradley and Arnolds definitions identify

religion with morality but in many primitivesocieties no connection between action andsupernatural beliefs.


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(v) A mans religion is the expression of hisultimate attitude to the universe, the summed upmeaning and purport of his whole

consciousness of things.__ Edward Caird an attitude cannot be religion, no authority.

The author William P. Alston himself writes thatnone of these are adequate to define a religion.


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They are either too general or vague, &refer to spirit/ God/ belief, or ethics/Emotions/attitude /piety/ power.

There is also a cult called devilworshippers in the west & a cult is like areligion. So more definitions for religion

may be coming. It is this confusion in the West which isshown in their ideology, lives every where.


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However, religion as understood by the followersof Islam encompasses every aspect of their lifeand they view the world from the eyes of a

Muslim. The word for religion in the Quran is Deen

which means a way of life.

A way of life means it provides guidance inevery aspect of an individuals life and he has toabide by those rules to be a good Muslim.


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From deen is madinah which is referred inthe Quran for a civilized society withvalues.

The term Deenis derived from the rootverb which is used in the Quran in thefollowing four meanings:

(1) being indebted; dayn literally meansindebted and is used 5 times in Quran;


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O ye who believe! When ye deal witheach other, in transactions (tadayantum)involving future obligations/ loan (dayn) in

a fixed period of time, reduce them towriting (2:282);

We are indebted to Allah (for our life) and

so we must submit to Him. Do you notsee that Allah has created the heavensand the earth with truth? (14:19);


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He has created everything, and has measuredit exactly according to its due measurements.(25:2); Thus being indebted implies relation to a

society, city and thus Deen. (2) submissive; And who can be better in

religion (Deenan ) than one who submits ( )his face to Allah; and he is a good doer. Andfollows the religion ( ) of Ibrahim, Monotheisticreligion (hanifa), (4:125);


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(3) judgment, law: We have to know thedifference between right and wrong andthat involves judgment.

He could not take his brother by the law( ) of the king (as a slave) except thatAllah willed it (Yusuf, 12:76); Master of

the day of judgment (Mlikiyaum ad-deen) (1:4);


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The Quran regards it against religion if onedoesnt take care of an orphan. Have you seenhim who denies the religion (deen)

(107: 1);

This shows principle of justice in Islam, stressedmost in the Quran after the existence of ONEGod.

I fear that he may change your religion (deen)or that he may cause mischief to appear in theland, (Pharoah said to his people regardingMoses, 40: 26);


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(4) natural inclination, . Deen issomething natural in man, i.e. submittingto laws of nature. fitrah is another meaning

ofdeen. So set you (O Muhammad) yourface towards the religion (deen) hanifi.e.One God Alone. Allahs fitrah i.e. naturewith which He has created mankind.(30:30). H: Every child is born with Islamicdisposition. Then his parents make him aJew, a Christian or a Magian. (Bukhari).


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Occurrence in the Quran: (al-deen) about 62 times, others , etcetera 34 times;

Religion of earlier prophets was referred as :

And this was enjoined by Ibrahim upon his sonsand by Yaqub, O my sons! Allah has chosen foryou the religion (deen), then die not except that

you are Muslim. (2

: 132

); Prophet Ibrahims religion was deen hanif


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Deen used for Islam as a True religion; Allah bears witness that there

is no God except Him, and the angels, andthose having knowledge (also give thiswitness); He maintains His creation inJustice. None has the right to be

worshipped but He, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Truly the religion (deen) with Allah isIslam. (3: 18-19);


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He it is Who has sent His Messenger withguidance and the religion of truth (deen al-Haqq), that He may make it superior to all

religions. And All sufficient is Allah as aWitness, (48:28);

This day I have perfected your religion for

you, completed My Favor upon you, andhave chosen for you Islam as your religion(deen, 5:3).


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The very name Islam is the definition ofreligion, i.e. submission.

In the very idea of

submission feeling,belief & action are implied.

Islam from root word meaningsafe, secure

=surrender, = submission,obedience of whole personality;


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amana = to feel safe, trustworthy, manabih (iv form)= to believe; mn = faith,belief, internal, spiritual aspect; itsopposite is

kafara = to hide, cover, kfir= disbeliever;

when we have mn there is peacebecause of the word amnu there.

Assalamu Alaikum


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A Muslim may not be Mumin but a Mumin isMuslim, The bedouins say, We believe. Say:You believe not but you only say, We have

surrendered, for faith has not yet entered yourhearts. (al-Hujurat, 49:14).

Muslims are a community of middle path(2:143), there is moderation and no extremismin Islam.


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The purpose of religion is to discipline,make man successful, and achieve peace.

So how this discipline can be achieved?

It is therefore important to know theworldview of Islam in order to have a

better understanding of Islam as a religion.

Knowledge


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1.Definition of religion