Both of these terms are commonly referred interchangeably to a system of beliefs, worships, and rituals but have a huge difference if studied thoroughly. Religion in its proper context means a mere system of above-mentioned entities but Deen transcends these boundaries to include not only beliefs and rituals but to include a proper and particular way of life.

Islam a religion or deen?

The main question that arises here is that Islam is a mere religion or deen?  From the above-stated definitions, it can be easily derived that Islam is a deen because of the fact that Islam is not limited to particular rituals rather it provides a complete code of conduct of the followers.  On the one hand, it prescribes for its followers to remember of Allah, offer prayer, observe fasting, give Zakat and on the other hand, it provides a complete constitutional for the functions of a state. It even does not limit itself to the two extremes of individual and state rather it also provides a perfect sample for the societal conduct. Hence the Quran declares, “This day, I have perfected your deen for you, completed my favor upon you and have chosen for you Islam as your deen” (Surah e Maeda). This declaration of Quran Karim is a clear manifestation of the concept that Islam is a perfect code of life in all the matters of human life whether private, societal or at the level of the state.

Islam versus Secularism

The concept of Secularism is averse to the Islam teachings. Secularist ideas convey that people of a state can worship and practice their religions but only in private which will have nothing to do with the affairs of a state. Thus the political system, the economic system and the constitution of a state will be based on the pragmatic thoughts of the current intelligentsia and on the teachings of a particular religion whereas on the contrary, Islam says that religion has a major part to in the both in the life of an individual and of the state. For this purpose, Islam has not only introduced a system of beliefs but with that, it has introduced a whole new system of the political and economic system based on equality and more importantly equity.

The poet of the East, Allama Iqbal, says,” Statehood divorced from religion leads towards tyranny/ though it may be monarchy or democracy”.

Thus many religions can co-exist privately in a secular state but in an Islamic state, the law will be based on the Islamic concept of Sharia and the Sharia grants full rights to the religious minorities in an Islamic state.

Muhammad (s.a.w) a perfect model

TO provide a practical model for all the Muslims to follow in later years, Muhammad (s.a.w) himself constituted an Islam state under his command during early years of Islam in Medina. The state worked as a pluralistic dominion with equal rights for all the citizens irrespective of religious affiliations with Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as the custodian, figurehead and final decision maker in legal cases.

Dr. Michael Hart writes about the Prophet in these words, “My choice of Mohammad to lead the list of the world’s most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level”.

Pakistan and concept of Islamic State

The main intellectual bedrock of the Pakistan ideology, Allama Iqbal, criticised the scholars of the time by saying,” Since the cleric of India is allowed to prostrate / He wishfully thinks that it implies freedom”. Thus the main aim of the creation of Pakistan was to establish a state that would be run according to the teachings of Islam as emphasized by Jinnah while visiting Islamia College Peshawar.