In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.

Difference Between

DEEN  & MAZHAB

Most of the people do not try to understand the difference
between Deen and Mazhab and even unconsciously
presume DEEN-E-ISLAM to be 'MAZHAB' although there is
a difference like that of the day and night. Take it as a
misfortune that the religious monopolist like Mullah (one
who knows only religious dogma), Peer (spiritual guide),
Gaddi Nasheen (Successor of a saint) and Mufti (Islamic
Jurist) never make an endeavor to clarify the difference,
since they are apprehensive of a slump in their shop-
keeping.
Mazhab, apart from being a non-Islamic word, proves to be an obstruction in

the unification of Ummah too. Present Mazaahib are a picture like proof of the

same. Don't forget that the entire Ummah was one and its Deen too was one,

only when there existed no Mazaahib. But the Ummah got disintegrated since

the reverents got dead drunk of the excessive exaggeration and developed a

relish for the wine of Taqleed (an uncritical and unqualified acceptance and

emulation of traditional orthodoxy or an authoritarian code of a particular

teacher of a Mazhab). Inspite of innumerable efforts now it isn't coming under

control. Therefore, there is no alternative except renouncing the Mazaahib and

bidding a farewell to sects. It will become practical only when the difference

between. DEEN and MAZHAB is clarified but prior to this a deliberation over

the meaning and interpretation of both the words should be opted for only to

facilitate a better understanding of the subsequent matter.

Meaning and Interpretation of Deen and Mazhab
Deen: Deen means “Reward” or “Recompense” (Badla) and when the word “Yaum” (Day) is
associated with it, it gives the meaning as “Day of Reward/Recompense” as it is mentioned in the
Holy Qur’an:

Sovereign of the Day of Recompense (Doomsday).

(Sure-Fateha 1:3)

Deen also means “Law” or “Constitution”. The word Deen has been used in the context of Law in the
Holy Qur’an:

So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of

his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his
brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have
taken his brother by the Law of the king except that
Allah willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over
every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.
(Sure-Yusuf 12:76)
And when “Islaam” is associated with Deen it is interpreted as “Islaamic Law” (Shariya) as it is
mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:
Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And
those who were given the Scripture did not differ except
after knowledge had come to them - out of jealous
animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves
in the verses of Allah , then indeed, Allah is swift in
[taking] account.
(Aal-Imran 3:19)

Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of

swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than
Allah , and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a
violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of
horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten,
except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death],
and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and
[prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining
arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who
disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion;
so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected
for you your religion and completed My favor upon you
and have approved for you Islam as religion. But
whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to
sin - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

(A-Ma’ida 5:3)
Mazhab (Religious School of Thought)
Means:
It was exigently just that the believers of Islam should have
accepted and introduced Deen i.e., Deen-e-Islam as the Islamic
law and way of life but that was not done. On the contrary, a self
invented word, Mazhab was opted for against 'Deen', the proof of
which is there in neither the Holy Qur’an nor any Prophetic
tradition. On the other hand, the sense in which the word has
been used in the Prophetic tradition if that is to be used for
indicating religion, that would be an insult to Islam. Even now
the word Mazhab has become so common that Islam is being
identified as 'Mazhab' instead of Deen and this all is the work of
religious monopolists. Anyhow, go through the difference
between 'Deen' and 'Mazhab' so that a discrimination between
right and wrong can be reached.
Comparing and Contrasting – the differences between Deen and Mazhab
Deen Mazhab
 Deen is an Islaamic word and it is proved by  Mazhab is a non-Islaamic word and it has not been
the Holy Qur’an and Ahadees. used in the Holy Qur’an or Ahadees in this context.

 The Deen in the sight of Allah (SWT) is only Islaam  There is no such proof in Mazhab rather Mazhab is
Sectarianism.

"The Deen before Allah (accepted by Allah)
is Islam" (Aal-
Imran 3:19)
 There is no scope or rather an instance of
 Deen has been approved of and favoured by Sectarianism or Mazaahib in Islaam. Hence,
Allah Mazaahib is a Self-made thing and Allah (SWT)
never likes Self-made things in Islaam.
"Today, I have completed your Deen, and have
completed my bliss upon you and accepted
for you Islam as a Deen."  Mazaahib are incomplete. There are self-made
(Al-Mai’da 5:3) statements and proclamations in Mazaahib and this
would continue till the time of Qayamah if they
 Deen is complete don’t repent and get back Islaam. Hence, the whole
way of life in Mazaahib is self-made law which is
"Today, I have completed your Deen..”
against Islaam.
(Al-Mai’da 5:3)
 Mazaahib are not pure; indeed they are adulterated
 Deen is Pure and have the combination of Statements,
Proclamations, advices and suggestions which are
self-made and are contradictory to Islaamic
“Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure concepts.
religion. (Az-Zumar 39:3)
 Deen Mazhab
 Deen has been chosen by Allah (SWT).  Mazaahib are Self-made and are made with human-
intervention.

“Indeed Allah has chosen for you this Deen…”

(Al-Baqara 2:132)

 Only Deen will be accepted  Since Mazaahib are self-made and against Islaam
undoubtedly it will not be accepted.

And whoever desires other than Islam as religion - never

will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter,
will be among the losers. (Aal-Imran 3:85)

 The purpose of Jihad (which cannot be called as

 The purpose of Jihad in Deen is to establish Jihad, anyways) in Mazaahib is to continue the
the Deen of Allah completely. sect based on some Personality, Individuality,
Community or Region.

“And fight them until there is no fitnah and

[until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And
if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of
what they do.” (Al-
Anfal 8:39)
 Deen Mazhab
 A messenger or Prophet of Allah will only bring  There is no relation of Mazaahib with the
Deen with him. Messengers or rather these sects are associated
with some other Personalities.

The Present day situation is an illustration of the

same.

"It is He who has sent His Messenger with

guidance and the religion of truth to
manifest it over all religion, although they
who associate others with Allah dislike it.”
(At-Tawba 9:33)
“Indeed, those who have divided their
religion and become sects - you, [O
Muhammad], are not [associated] with
them in anything. Their affair is only
[left] to Allah; then He will inform them
about what they used to do.”
(Al-‘An’am 6:159)

 Muqallid (the one who is committed to

uncritical and unqualified acceptance and
 Fiqh (deep understanding) in Deen is a emulation of traditional orthodoxy or an
favour authoritarian code of a particular religious
teacher) Can not become an Islamic
jurisprudent. Therefore, shall remain a
depriver.
“To whomever Allah Wants to favour HE
For example, the word or the dictum of a
grants him Fiqh in Deen (full Mujtahid (A jurist entitled to independent
understanding of Deen-e-Islaam).” opinion) is proof enough for a Muqallid.
(Sahih Buqari & Sahih Muslim)
Muqallid says 'to me, this is the directive since
the opinion of Abu Haneefa (Rh) has made
me reach it and his opinion that makes me
reach the directive is the fact of the matter.'
• In short, Mazhab is an un-Islamic law and self created
means of establishing relation with Allah. Mazhab has self-
invented methods of prayers, apart from an intrusion and
impulse of one's baser self whereas Deen is known as code
of living in accordance with that of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
and striving to achieve the will of Allah.

• That is why Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen has no relation

with any Mazhab, school of thought or sect. On the
contrary, it is fed up with Mazahib since they are self
invented and against Deen-e-Islam. They are the means of
dissension in Islam. On the contrary, Islam is universal and
collectivity preferer. It abhors dissension absolutely.
Therefore, the claimants of Islam should keep off such
activities rather hate things severely which take the perfect,
well grounded and moderate Islam into their striking
range as Islam alone guarantees our salvation and
survival.
That is the reason Jamaat-Ul-Muslimeen has no
connection/associated of whatsoever with any of the
Mazaahib, Maslak or Firqq (sects).
Jamaat-Ul-Musleem condemns all these
sectarianism as these self-made doctrines which are
against Islaam are the foundational cause for all the
differences and divisions in Islaam. On the contrary,
Islaam is the name of unification and Universal
Brotherhood.
• Finally we request our readers to unite along with us on one nucleus; end
all sects; and since a believer has been named a Muslim and has been
commanded to associate with Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen, we invite you to
come to Jamaat and check its activity and involvement and then decide.
Dear readers, Please! Do not follow any religion but ISLAM which gives
you the clear command to obey none but Allah and His prophet
Muhammad (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam).

• Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen is neither a sect nor it has any

connection to any of the sects. It offers pure Deen
(religion) "Islam" - the religion of Allah and His prophet
Muhammad (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam). So come and
join Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen and assist the cause of Islam.
• The gist of the above invitation is that Allah alone is to be
worshipped and no one else beside Him enjoys this right. It is a fact
that sectarianism originated from abandoning the teachings of
Allah and His prophet Muhammad (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-wa-Sallam)
and following others instead. When the respect and love for a person
exceeds the limits i.e. when his words and deeds are considered to be
the truth, rather the criterion of judging truth, then this is equal to
worship.

• Religious demarcations and decisions are the job of Allah and none
is allowed to intervene or make any change in the boundary of
religion.

• We invite all the sects of this Ummah towards this doctrine of faith.
All of Allah's religious ordinances and instructions are complete and
preserved in the Quran and Sunnah, which are common among
nearly all sects.
JAMAAT-UL-MUSLIMEEN
The Only Solution for the Problems of Muslim Ummah
www.aljamaat.org