the animal world. With the emergence of a free conscious self, the
prospect is much brighter. When free men, under the guidance of
God, are participating in the world process and are deliberately
furthering it, the pace of evolution is sure to be accelerated. By
following the right path, which the Qur’an has shown us clearly, we
can develop all our latent potentialities and march forward to the
ultimate goal of perfection.
As man owns a self, he has a natural affinity with God, the
Absolute Self. This affinity confers on him the right and lays on him
the duty of working in harmony with the will and purpose of God.
By working in this way man not only realises himself but also gives
an impetus to the progress of human society.
The way in which the Absolute Self manifests its attributes in the
universe evokes feelings of awe, reverence and admiration in man.
As man naturally imitates what he admires, he strives to develop
himself and be as like God as is possible for a finite being to be. God
serves as a model and also as an objective standard with which man
can compare himself and judge his progress in self-realisation. Man
needs God as a coworker and as an ideal.
V. Religion or “Deen”As already explained in the Introduction, the Qur’anic term for
religion is “deen.” Deen however, is not merely a synonym for
religion. Deen is a broader and deeper concept than religion as it is
commonly understood. Religion usually means a set of dogmas, an
elaborate ritual and a host of trivial practices. Ordinary activities of
life are hedged in by a number of rules and taboos. Simple acts such
as eating and marrying are surrounded by a complex ceremonial.
Man’s conduct in everyday life is regulated in the minutest detail.
Deen, as presented in the Qur’an is not a matter of ritual or
ceremonial. It is concerned with the broad aim of life and the
programme of action by which that aim can be attained. Deen gives
full scope to man’s initiative and discretion. It is meant for a free and
intelligent person, a person who has the courage to think, judge and
act for himself. Deen offers broad principles which give guidance to
man in the adventure of life and which enable him to attain the goal
of self-realisation and social welfare. These principles, however, are
Islam: A Challenge to Religion 66