"Mazhab" and "Deen" are two different implementations of Religion and the differences

between them are significantly great.

* "Mazhab" is only limited to the individual

* It is spiritual, NOT practical
* "Mazhab" stands for 'Gesticulation' or 'Worshiping', it as an act of physical performance,
either in the form of prostration or some other form of mysticism, which is solely regarded
as a personal act.
* Thus, "Mazhab" has made the access to Hell or Heaven a very effortless phenomena, for
instance some practices claim that standing on your feet for 2 days or recitation of certain
scriptures for 5000 times will make you eligible for Heaven while others would guarantee
you a similar achievement on some other acts.
* However, one simple yet important fact about "Mazhab" should be very clear
here that it CAN NOT cope with time, people who believe in such practices never
evolve and their existence becomes un-survivable.
* These believes are illogical and mythical, these just involve physical involvement i.e
worshipping it doesn't encourage any changes in our social, emotional or even economical
states. A good example of Mazhab would be Budhism, Jainism, Hinduism etc which all have
something in common and that is that they achieve nothing for their well-being out of their
practices similarly we've converted our religion into a analogous condition.

Now on the other hand, "Deen" is something completely distinctive to Mazhab:

* “Deen” is logical and practical

* “Deen” has set of guide lines and laws based on which it evolves with time.
* These guidelines are well defined and must cater for the whole universe for all
times. These guidelines are not for a specific society or a group, they are for the
whole humanity. Islam is the only religion which fits perfectly and truly on this definition
where Quran defines all the laws of humanity and is a guidance for the mankind, Islam is a
social system and it clearly yet precisly teaches every human being on how this God-gifted
life should be led.

All Prophets sent by Allah, profoundly instructed their communities to follow Allah's Laws
("Mahkoomiyat") and not confuse it with human teachings [7/59, 11/50, 7/65, 29/16,
12/39, 11/84, 7/85]. However, Quranic verses describe that after every Prophet's departure
their communities took the authority of the divine messages, made changes on their own
will and formed man-made spiritual societies where they only restricted themselves to
worshiping, forgot the message of establishing a divine system and indulged into activities
which were purely shirk and revolved around their interests and needs.

Following Allah’s “Deen” in reality is following His system, it’s not about
individuality and self spiritual beliefs. According to Quran NO ONE can make direct
contact with Allah, it has to be through his “Deen”.

Characteristics of “Deen”:

Quran uses word “Deen” for Islam. Good results and outcomes are promised by Allah for
those who follow His system and establish it.
[2:143] And, thus it is: We have appointed you a middle and just Community that you
would be watchers over all mankind and that the Messenger be a witness against you. (It
will be your sacred duty to ensure that no people on earth will oppress others). As far as the
transformation of the Centre of devotion is concerned, it has distinguished between those
who succumb to traditional and nationalistic preferences from those who see all mankind as
one nation and follow the Messengers. And the Messengers have always fullfilled Allah's
Command for the Unity of Mankind. In fact it was a hard test except for those who have
attained Allah’s Guidance. Allah never lets your Faith go in vain. Verily, Allah is
Compassionate and Merciful to all mankind.

As Allah says that Islam is the only true “Deen” (which sadly is in its worst condition but
InshahAllah will eventually prevail – but not magically or over night, we'll have to work hard
to make it happen):

[48:28] He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the Enlightenment and the Religion of
Truth that He may cause it to prevail over all other systems of life. And Allah is Sufficient as
Witness (to this Pronouncement (9:31-33), (14:48), (18:48), (48:28), (61:9)).

You can not have sects or groups in “Deen”. Forming groups is "SHIRK" and HARAAM
(prohibited).

[30:31] Turn unto Him alone then, and be mindful of Him, and establish the Divine System
and be not of the MUSHRIKEEN who ascribe authorities along with Him. (2:213)

[3:105] Be not like those who separated and differed after the clear proofs of Truth had
come to them. For such there is an awful doom since they cause divisions instead of unity.

In Deen results are obvious and can be seen but in “Muzhab” they don’t exist.

References:

QXP, Quran as it explains itself

Muqaam-e-Hadit, Allam Perveez
Monthaly Soot-ul-Haq, Pakistan