ISLAMIC STUDIES

I. INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
 CONCEPT OF ISLAM
 Islam is the complete way of life for all humanity.
 It is the religion of submission to one God, the religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness.
 It is the universal religion that calls for “ONE PEOPLE UNDER ONE GOD.”
 Islam means submission to one God and it also means ‘peace.’
 The word Muslim means the one who has submitted him/herself to God and lives with peace.
 If one’s life is not peaceful, he/she should be concerned about his/her level of submission to
God. The more you submit yourself to God, the more you enjoy peace, tranquility, and
contentment in life.

Five pillars of Islam –

1. The Profession of Faith—The Shahada

The Profession of Faith, the shahada, is the most fundamental expression of Islamic beliefs. It simply

states that “There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet.” It underscores the monotheistic

nature of Islam. It is an extremely popular phrase in Arabic calligraphy and appears in numerous

manuscripts and religious buildings.

2. Daily Prayers—Salat

Muslims are expected to pray five times a day. This does not mean that they need to attend a mosque

to pray; rather, the salat, or the daily prayer, should be recited five times a day. Muslims can pray

anywhere; however, they are meant to pray towards Mecca. The faithful pray by bowing several times

while standing and then kneeling and touching the ground or prayer mat with their foreheads, as a

symbol of their reverence and submission to Allah. On Friday, many Muslims attend a mosque near

midday to pray and to listen to a sermon, khutba.

3. Alms-Giving—Zakat

The giving of alms is the third pillar. Although not defined in the Qu’ran, Muslims believe that they are

meant to share their wealth with those less fortunate in their community of believers.
4. Fasting during Ramadan—Saum

During the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims are expected to

fast from dawn to dusk. While there are exceptions made for the sick, elderly, and pregnant, all are

expected to refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.

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5. Pilgrimage to Mecca—Hajj

All Muslims who are able are required to make the pilgrimage to Mecca and the surrounding holy sites

at least once in their lives. Pilgrimage focuses on visiting the Kaaba and walking around it seven times.

Pilgrimage occurs in the 12th month of the Islamic Calendar.

 IMPORTANCE OF DIN IN HUMAN LIFE

1. Deen Provides Guidance to Mankind:

The primary function of Deen is to guide people towards the right path: ―And We have sent down to
you the Book explaining all things as a guide, a Mercy and Glad tidings to Muslims‖. The Quran
revelation which continuous the import of Deen of Islam is universal; but only the righteous ones will
take heed of it; ―Surely, this Quran guides to that which is most right‖. (5:17) and the God-fearing ones:
―This is the Book; in it is Guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah‖.

2. Deen provides a clear path:

It is Divine Light of God which shows the clear path right from wrong, the true form the false; ―there
has come to you from Allah a new light and a manifest Book. (5:17) and again in Surah Taghabun;
―Believe, therefore, in Allah and His Messenger; and in the Light which We have sent down.‖

3. Deen Leads Mankind from darkness to light

The Quran leads people out of the ignorance of darkness and evil into the light of goodness and piety;
―A Book which We have revealed unto you, in order that you might lead Mankind out of the depths of
darkness into light by the leave of their Lord‖.This Divine Light offers a ray of hope to those who have
lost their way in the wildness of darkness: ―He is the One Who sends to His servants Manifest signs,
that he may leads you from the depths of darkness into light‖. (57:9)

4. Divine Religion is a source of Wisdom and knowledge:

The book of Deen contains unsurpassable knowledge and wisdom: ―Yasin‘ by the Quran, full of
wisdom.‖ (4:113). Mohammad (PBUH) was taught the wisdom of the Quran so that he in turn could
divulge it to the rest of mankind.

5. Deen sets the criterion for the Right and wrong:

The Quran provides guidance on judgment and the justice:
―Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for
guidance and judgment between right and wrong‖. (2:185) It is undoubtedly a manifest criterion
between truth and falsehood: ―It is He who sent down to you, in truth, the Book as a guide to mankind,
and He sent down the criterion of judgment between right and wrong‖. (3:3)
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6. Deen Is spiritual Cure of Modern Man

God promises mercy to those who follow the guidance of the Quran: ―And this is a Book which we have
revealed as a blessing; so follow it and be righteous, that you may receive mercy. (6:155). This is the only
hope for the spiritual future of man, a cure for the lost and hurts souls, a guide for the evil and misled
ones, and a joy for those who repent. ―We sent down the3 Quran that which is a healing and a Mercy
to those who believe‖. (17:82)

7. Teachings of Deen are Guard against Evil

The Quran develops fear of the God, and reverence and love for Him: thus it guards those against those
evils; ―It is a Quran in Arabic without crookedness therein, in order that they may guard against evil‖.
(39:28) A true believer is shield by the powerful cover of the Quran against evil and wicked ways: Thus
does Allah make His signs clear to men that they learn self-restraint (and guard themselves against
evil)‖. (2:187)

8. Deen Provides a Clear Message to Mankind

Allah says: ―This is a Book with verses or fundamental (of established meaning), further explained in
the details—from One is wise and well-acquainted with all things‖. (11:1) The details of life are covered
precisely: ―And We have sent down to you the the Book explaining all things‖.(16:89) Problems of life
are explained form all points of view and by different way, so as to elucidate its meaning to any layman:
―We have explained things in various ways in this Quran in order that they may receive admonition, but
it only increases their fight form the Truth.‖ (17:41) Divine messages, no matter how simple, are always
ignored and rejected by those who do not believe in God.

9. Deen Induces In Man Peity and Remembrance of God

Piety refers to the inner fear man must have for his Creator. This profound fear centralizes the concept
of God and His remembrance in the mind of the believer: ―Thus We have sent the Quran in Arabic and
explained therein detail some of the warnings, in oreder that they may fear Allah, or that it may cause
their remembrance of Him.‖ (20:113) God has clarified His massage aptly in the Quran for man to attain
Taqwa: ―Thus does God make clear His Message to men, that they may fear Him.‖ (187)

10. Deen Provides Principles for establishment of Justice

A vital function of the Deen is to guide in the establishment of balanced system of justice and equality:
―We have sent down to you the Book in truth that you might judge between men, as guided by Allah.‖
(4:105)
Attempt will be made to defeat the system of justice. The Quran therefore, warns the righteous to be on
guard against such people and exhorts them always to seek the help of God for protection: ―it is God
who has sent down the book which is truth, and the balance to Judge betweenright or wrong.‘ (42:17)
Thus the Quran, Being the last of the revealed Books and Islam provide the most comprehensive Code of
Justice
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 DEEN VS RELIGION

The words Deen and Madhab are entirely different from each other with regard to their underlying
concepts. Although in our part of the world we generally refer to Islam as Madhab (religion), yet what is
interesting indeed is the fact that the word Madhab has never once been used in the entire treasury of
the Quranic text and Ahadeeth literature! Instead, the word that has almost always been used for Islam
in the original sources is Deen.

The fundamental difference between the two terms must be understood. Madhab, or religion, is a term
used for a set of beliefs and rituals of worship. On the other hand, Deen refers to an entire way of life
that pervades all aspects of life. In other words, as compared to Madhab, Deen is a far more
comprehensive, all-encompassing reality. With this backdrop, it will perhaps not be entirely correct to
say that Islam is not a Madhab (religion), because all of the elements of a Madhab are certainly part and
parcel of Islam - it includes the articles of belief, spirituality, and the etiquettes of worship (Salah, Saum,
Zakah and Hajj). Hence, it would be more accurate to say that Islam is not merely a Madhab, but an
entire code of life (Deen). It not only offers whatever constitutes religion, but is endowed with the
elements of a complete way of life. Hence, Islam is, essentially, Deen.

In this context, it must also be understood that while several religions can co-exist at a time in a
particular region of the world, there can only be a single Deen (way of life). It is not possible, for
instance, for capitalism and communism to coexist in a country at the same time. Only one will be
dominant and prevail over others. Similarly, monarchy and democracy cannot simultaneously be
established in a country. A system can either be based on the law of Allah (swt), or it will be against the
law of Allah (swt). There cannot be two parallel systems, although there can be several religions co-
existing at a time in a certain place. The only exception can be made in the case of a single dominant
system ascendant above all, subservient to which, all shrunken up and sidelined, may exist other
systems. Allama Iqbal said: “In a state of enslavement, it is reduced to a single, small droplet / The very
same life which, when freed, becomes a ceaseless, shoreless torrent!.
Islam is not only a religion but also a Deen, which means a complete code of life. Religion deals man‘s
relation with God whereas Deen deals both with man‘s relation with God and his fellow beings. Religion
deals with private affairs of life whereas Deen covers all aspects of life, individual as well as collective. In
other words Deen is all embracing term which includes religio-socio-politico-economic system. It
touches upone the material as well as spiritual dimensions of human existence and insists that all our
thoughts and deeds should be performed with the will of God. Madhab is merely some sort of
subjective.

Deen is an objective reality and a system of experience and is concerned only with the so-called private
relationship between God and man.Every follower of a Madhab is satisfied that he established a
communion with the Almighty, and the objective of each individual is his own salvation.

The aim of Deen the other hand is the welfare and progress of all mankind, and the character and
constitution of a society indicates whether or not it is founded upon the Divine Law.Madhab does not
afford us any objective criterion by which we could determine whether or not our actions are producing
the desired results.
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In a social order governed by Deen, the development of a collective and harmonious life correctly
indicates whether or not the people are pursuing the right course.

Madhab is hostile to scientific investigation and is an adversary of of reason, so that it could flourish
unhampered with the aid of a blind faith.

Deen helps in the development of human reason and knowledge, allows full freedom to accept or reject
on the basis of reason and arguments, and encourages investigation and discovery of all the natural
phenomena to illumine the path of human life and its advancement in the light of the permanent
Values.

Madhab follows the susceptibilities and prejudices of me and pampers them.

Deen seeks to lead men to a path of life that is in harmony with the realities of life.

In every age, therefore, Madhab sets up new idols and mumbo-jumbo in order to keep the people‘s
attention away from the real problems of life.

But Deen is rational and radical: it breaks all idols, old and new, and is never variable in its
principles Madhab includes a perpetual sense of fear in the minds of men and seeks to frighten them
into conformity.

While Deen treats fear as a form of polytheism and seeks to make men courageous, daring and self-
reliant.

Madhab prompts men to how before every seat of authority and prestige, religious as well as temporal.

Deen encourages man to walk about with his head erect, and attain self-confidence.

Madhab includes man to flee from struggle of life.

But Deen calls upon him to face the realities of life squarely, whatever the hazard.

Madhab encourages beliefe in fatalism, and this tends to dissuade man from active life and self-
development.

Deen gives man power to challenge fate, and provides energy for a life of activity and self-development.
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Madhab enjoins religious meditation in the name of worship and thus induces self-deception.

Deen exhorts men to assert themselves and struggle perpetually for the establishment of the Divine
Social Order, and its betterment when attained. Worship in Deen really means obedience to the Laws of
God.

Madhab denounces everything new and declares all innovation as sin.

Deen holds that the needs and demands of human life keep changing with the change in the conditions
of life; change and innovation are, therefore, demanded by life itself. Only the Divine Laws are
immutable.

 DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF ISLAM

 Islam – a universal religion: All other religions had always presented their God, their Messenger
and their Message to be only applicable to their specific regions or tribes. It is only the religion
of Islam, which has claimed to be applicable to the whole mankind.
 No monopoly of truth - The Holy Qur’an says that all the prophets were true, because they were
sent by the same God to different races and people
 Islam – an eternal religion: Islam claims to be an eternal religion. This unique claim is based on
the reason and logic that its Message is complete and perfect, and also guaranteed to be
preserved in its original form.
 Safeguarding Islam – “We have sent down this book and verily We shall safeguard it”.
 Zakat vs Interest.
 Prophesizes future events of this world, signs major signs.
 Islam proclaims complete equality among mankind – no caste, creed or race is superior.