An idea that is very popular among Muslims is the notion that our world is composed of two realms: The realm of the ''Deen'' and the realm of the ''Dunya'' or the material life. In this context, many Muslims categorize their actions as either actions related to the Deen (such as prayer, fasting, Du'a, and reading Qur'an) and actions related to the ''Dunya'' or life affairs, which includes all other actions. Similarly, the Mosque has been called a place of the ''Deen,'' separate from other places.

What such an idea has resulted in is the emergence a split personality among Muslims where many Muslims view life as composed of two worlds. In the world of the ''Deen,'' Islam prevails, and the Muslims look to Islam as the reference; and in the rest of the life affairs, the Muslims proceed through life according to another reference. Actions related to the ''Deen'' (such as prayer, fasting, and the acts of worship) are done in accordance to the Shariah, and Muslims are very diligent in this regard. However, actions related to the life affairs are done in accordance to other references, and aside from a few general principles, Islam has little or no influence.(Other references include Universal Declaration of Human Rights,the Paris Convention or the works of Adam Smith)

This concept of two worlds (Deen vs. ''Dunya'') is nothing but a cleverly disguised form of Secularism, in which Islam has become detached from the life affairs. In reality, there is no such categorization. We do not live this life in accordance to two worlds ? the world of the ''Deen'' and the world of the ''Dunya.'' We live in only one world, which is the world of the Dunya. What distinguishes the Muslim from others is that MUSLIMS LIVE THIS DUNYA IN ACCORDANCE TO THE DEEN. Thus, ALL ACTIONS must be in accordance to the Shariah and must guided by the Islamic text; whether the action is prayer, or doing business, or engaging in politics, or interacting in society. Similarly, Islam should not be confined solely to the Mosque on grounds that the Mosque is a place of ''Deen'' separate from the rest of the world. Rather, Islam must be the reference in all places - in the Mosque as well as in the workplace, in the streets, and in the markets. Islam is our reference for all of our actions, and in all aspects of life, and at all locations.

May Allah (swt) help us in understanding Islam correctly and purifying our thoughts so that we can worship Him correctly and fulfill our responsibilities.