Shariah
Shariah, also spelled as Sharia, is a body of religious law that forms a part of the Islamic tradition. It is derived from the religious precepts of Islam and is based on the scriptures of Islam, primarily the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, known as the Sunnah. Shariah serves as a code for living that all Muslims should adhere to, including prayers, fasting, and donations to the poor. It aims to help Muslims understand how they should lead every aspect of their lives according to Gods wishes. The term "Shariah" means "the clear, well-trodden path to water" in Arabic, and it is considered the ideal form of divine guidance that Muslims follow to live a righteous life.
Shariah is not a static set of laws, but rather a dynamic system of principles and guidelines that can be interpreted and applied in various ways. It covers a wide range of aspects of life, including personal religious practices, family law, finance, business, and criminal justice. The manner of its application in modern times has been a subject of dispute between Muslim fundamentalists and modernists, with progressives arguing that Shariah is compatible with democracy, human rights, minority rights, freedom of thought, womens rights, and banking. However, there is great diversity in how governments interpret and apply Shariah, and people often misunderstand the role it plays in legal systems and the lives of individuals.
Shariah has different senses conveyed in religious, legal, and political discourse, including divine, abstract Shariah, classical Shariah, and historical Shariah, which has developed throughout Islamic history, ranging from personal beliefs to state legislation and varying across an ideological spectrum. Countries that employ Shariah have varying levels of the practice incorporated into their legal systems, with some nations using Shariah as their national law, while most countries have mixed legal systems that combine traditional Islamic jurisprudence and a constitution.
In summary, Shariah is a comprehensive system of principles and guidelines derived from the religious precepts of Islam, primarily the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, that serves as a code for living that all Muslims should adhere to, covering various aspects of life including personal religious practices, family law, finance, business, and criminal justice. Its interpretation and application can vary, and it has been a subject of debate and diversity in modern times.
