Word Meaning
दीन
deen
Meaning
Religion, spiritual faith, or creed.
Detailed Meaning
In classical Islamic and poetic discourse, 'deen' signifies formal religion, divine law, and spiritual way of life. In this couplet, paired in the compound 'deen-o-mazhab', it stands for rigid orthodox faith which the lover-poet has abandoned for the unconventional devotion of love. It often forms a poetic binary with 'duniya' (the world) or 'kufr' (infidelity/heresy).
Etymology
Arabic (د-ی-ن, d-y-n), carrying senses of religion, divine law, obedience, and judgment.
Usage
In classical Urdu ghazal, 'deen' is frequently paired with 'duniya' or contrasted with 'ishq' and 'kufr' to highlight the lover's detachment from conventional piety.
Examples
sacrificing both deen and the world for love
the conflict between faith and heresy