I also understand why the Maudoodi sb and their followers Israr sb and other belong to the same point of pan-islamism want to interpret Deen as 'way of life' rather  than a simple well-known translation as religion. 
by doing so, they want to control everything in Muslim society. from education, art n culture, economics, government, temporal sciences and even the Muslim mind and thought. 
so basically they want to first make us all believe that every thing we eat, do, wear, drink, work ect ect there is a divine command for it and as Muslims We must follow that. If we are not following it we are doing sin and (in some people interpretation is punishable crime)

Which actually is not the case. Islam (I am using word Islam not Quran) has given broader principles by which a Muslim should live his/her life. as my understanding its doesn't interfere with each and every minute detail of life. I consider this as a blessing rather than a failure of a great religion. Because it allows diversity, pluralism and progression. 

for example in dressing Islam asks for modesty of dressing. not a single verse in Quran specifies what to wear, how to wear, how much should be the length of the trouser and all other things associated with it. 

for examples in education Islam makes it obligatory for Muslims to get education. but it doesn't specify which education, what age to start, is there any limitations and so on so forth.

same with art n culture Islam doesn't allow "al-fahsh" but it doesn't specify a single culture. as it claims to be for all cultures, all human and all places so in its essence its multicultural. 
Some people might confuse Arab culture = Islamic culture. But that's a confusion with exist. 

same way Islam doesn't specify a single government system or a legal system or an economic/monetary system. that's why we see Khilafat, democracy, kingdoms, theocracies, and dictatorships all claims to be having Islamic roots. Islam doesn't allow/support any govt/legal/economic system which is unfair, unjust and affects people life for the worst.

above are my understandings of Islam. which are as human as anyone else and have  chance of being wrong as of any other human being.
I don't claim these to be divine command but a mere  human interpretation of that.