Shariah Law
The shariah encompasses ethical codes, it is a complete way of
The literal meaning of shariah means watering hole- the
life involving religious regulations, family advise, social
image itself would mean that it quenches thirst, gives a life-
guidance, aspects of legal practice, general etiquettes and much
giving resource. This is a very powerful analogy of shariah,
more. Sharia is therefore a path designated for Muslims by
particular for a land based in the desert.
Allah in order for them to live fully.it is life itself that is lived
Shariah is therefore s designated path for Muslims by Allah in
according to the will of Allah. In this sense Shariah is used to
order for them to live a complete way of life fully.
refer to Islam itself, the religion of peace and to the behaviour to
Since Allah is the source of all blessings the giver of peace
a Muslim, that is one who submits to Allah.
and the inspirer of faith, it logically follows that Allah is the
originator of the shariah which is divine and instructs
The Shariah is timeless, and the primary source is divine, from
behaviour directed to Allah as well as others.
Allah. It is exemplified by the secondary source, the prophet’s
Following this the shariah has primary and timeless authority
teachings through hadith and Sunnah. Shariah covers both the
because it is based on Allah’s holy word. Shariah is therefore
sacred and the secular. As Allah’s law it is the reminder that
referred to as the holy law as it leads to the straight path,
Allah is Omnipotent and Omniscient. The will of Allah must be
reminding that Allah’s is omnipotent and omniscient: his will
obeyed.
should be obeyed.
Two main ideas about the shariah:
o In the west the idea of shariah portrays at the dark image
thought of about Islam: women’s oppression and stoning
etc. the shariah is viewed in a negative light.
o To the Muslims shariah law is considered to be the
greatest of blessing and guidance for individual and
communal life in this world, in preparation for hereafter.
,Shariah as moral guidance for Muslims:
Ally- “its moral order demands an ethical system which requires the Muslim
to meet and fulfil the responsibility and obligation of the divine of the divine
trust at the individual level.”
Esposito- “the roots of Islamic ethics are in the idea of stewardship for Allah
as illustrated I the Quran “It He who has made you His agents, inheritors of
the Earth, He has raised you in ranks, some above others: so that He may try
you in the gifts He has given you…”
Ethical principles then, are often established on the basis of how Muhammad
PBUH behaved; since he was the seal of the prophets and his example is the
perfect guidance for Muslims.
Ally: “the life of the prophet is a beacon of light for all humanity”
The need for development of moral guidance:
In early history of the Muslim community rulings on life
matters were made by caliphs and the qadis in a
community. Quran and hadith were used to establish ideal
practises for a Muslims state.
However, as time went by and Islam expanded, came vast
cultures leading to an inconsistent range of queries so
diverse principles developed
Esposito- “the result was a body of laws that differed from
one local to another, given the cultural diversity of the
empires provinces and the independent judgement
exercised by judges”
,
The shariah encompasses ethical codes, it is a complete way of
The literal meaning of shariah means watering hole- the
life involving religious regulations, family advise, social
image itself would mean that it quenches thirst, gives a life-
guidance, aspects of legal practice, general etiquettes and much
giving resource. This is a very powerful analogy of shariah,
more. Sharia is therefore a path designated for Muslims by
particular for a land based in the desert.
Allah in order for them to live fully.it is life itself that is lived
Shariah is therefore s designated path for Muslims by Allah in
according to the will of Allah. In this sense Shariah is used to
order for them to live a complete way of life fully.
refer to Islam itself, the religion of peace and to the behaviour to
Since Allah is the source of all blessings the giver of peace
a Muslim, that is one who submits to Allah.
and the inspirer of faith, it logically follows that Allah is the
originator of the shariah which is divine and instructs
The Shariah is timeless, and the primary source is divine, from
behaviour directed to Allah as well as others.
Allah. It is exemplified by the secondary source, the prophet’s
Following this the shariah has primary and timeless authority
teachings through hadith and Sunnah. Shariah covers both the
because it is based on Allah’s holy word. Shariah is therefore
sacred and the secular. As Allah’s law it is the reminder that
referred to as the holy law as it leads to the straight path,
Allah is Omnipotent and Omniscient. The will of Allah must be
reminding that Allah’s is omnipotent and omniscient: his will
obeyed.
should be obeyed.
Two main ideas about the shariah:
o In the west the idea of shariah portrays at the dark image
thought of about Islam: women’s oppression and stoning
etc. the shariah is viewed in a negative light.
o To the Muslims shariah law is considered to be the
greatest of blessing and guidance for individual and
communal life in this world, in preparation for hereafter.
,Shariah as moral guidance for Muslims:
Ally- “its moral order demands an ethical system which requires the Muslim
to meet and fulfil the responsibility and obligation of the divine of the divine
trust at the individual level.”
Esposito- “the roots of Islamic ethics are in the idea of stewardship for Allah
as illustrated I the Quran “It He who has made you His agents, inheritors of
the Earth, He has raised you in ranks, some above others: so that He may try
you in the gifts He has given you…”
Ethical principles then, are often established on the basis of how Muhammad
PBUH behaved; since he was the seal of the prophets and his example is the
perfect guidance for Muslims.
Ally: “the life of the prophet is a beacon of light for all humanity”
The need for development of moral guidance:
In early history of the Muslim community rulings on life
matters were made by caliphs and the qadis in a
community. Quran and hadith were used to establish ideal
practises for a Muslims state.
However, as time went by and Islam expanded, came vast
cultures leading to an inconsistent range of queries so
diverse principles developed
Esposito- “the result was a body of laws that differed from
one local to another, given the cultural diversity of the
empires provinces and the independent judgement
exercised by judges”
,
