"Deen should come before anything else as it is deen which is going to determine whether you go to hell or heaven. I'm not trying to say that one shouldn't have any akhlak, rather akhlaq and good manners are a part of deen and not having such qualities is a sin. Remember deen doesn't mean religion, it means a way of life. One shouldn't confuse the two. Islam isn't a religion, it's a way of life."



I saw this written as a response to a JE in another village by one of our own village members--Babyj--and thought how thought-provoking and well-said! Although it is important to choose our mates based on ikhlaq, izzat, and adaab, it is just as important (and in fact more so) that he/she have a tremendous sense of our deen. Islam is truly a way of life integrating and balancing the practicalities of daily living with spiritual belief.