Sharia law is the religious law of Islam, considered to be the divine guidance for living a moral and righteous life according to God's commands. It is derived primarily from the Quran (the holy book of Islam) and the Hadith (sayings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad). Sharia encompasses a wide range of spiritual, ethical, and legal principles that guide many aspects of a Muslim's life, including worship, behavior, family matters, finance, and criminal justice. While Sharia itself refers to the perfect divine law known only to God, Islamic law as practiced by societies is based on human interpretations of Sharia, which can vary widely by region and school of thought. Sharia law classifies actions into categories such as obligatory, recommended, permitted, disliked, and forbidden, aiming to promote human welfare and justice. It governs both private and public life, addressing not only legal transactions but also personal morality and religious duties. Different Muslim-majority countries implement Sharia to varying extents, and it is interpreted by religious scholars who issue legal opinions called fatwas. Sharia is distinct from secular law, as it includes ethical and moral guidance alongside legal rules.
