What is Sharia Law?
Also known as Islamic law, Sharia law was developed following the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. It is a system of religious principles that are derived from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Sharia law focuses on a multitude of categories that have to do with Muslim’s daily life. These include: family, life, finances, and criminal justice. This type of law within Islam shapes the status of citizens of Muslim-majority countries, as it influences personal frameworks.
Sharia Law is implemented in Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and Brunei.
Sharia is blended with secular civil, commercial, criminal, administrative, and statutory laws derived from Western society, which greatly influence the lives of Muslims.
For example, in civil and commercial law, many Muslim-majority countries use statutory codes for business contracts, corporate law, and property transactions, where Islamic finance rules may be integrated.
Sharia Law varies based on country. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, Sharia forms the foundation of the entire legal system, while in Egypt, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, Sharia only applies to personal status laws including marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Across the world, regional support for Sharia as Official Law remains high.
That being said, in South Asian and Middle Eastern countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Malaysia, and Pakistan, support rates are at 99%, 91%, 86%, and 84%, respectively,
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt's support rate stands at 74%, and in Central Asia, Turkey's support rate sits at 12%, Kazakhstan at 10%, and Azerbaijan at 8%.
The significance of Sharia law sets it as a religious guide for Muslims and governments looking to strictly enforce conservative practices and values of the religion.
It serves as a source for societal control and religious observance.
Yet, individual freedoms for women and minorities are heavily restricted.
Overall, Sharia law is tied to Islam because it represents the religion's foundation.
It is considered by the majority of Muslims to be the primary expression of Islam and its ethics.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is Sharia?
Sharia is the Arabic word for a clean, well-trodden path to water, symbolizing life and spiritual purification. It is a broad set of moral, ethical, and religious principles.
2) How is Sharia Law interpreted?
Human interpretation of Sharia Law is known as "fiqh," which has evolved into multiple different schools of thought, including Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.
Source: https://ing.org/resources/a-closer-look-at-sharia-in-the-united-states/
3) What actions are prohibited when following Sharia Law?
Actions under Sharia are grouped into five categories: obligatory, prohibited, recommended, reprehensible, and indifferent.
Why it matters
Sharia law shapes the legal, social, and cultural frameworks of many Muslim-majority countries.
Sources
- "Sharia and Natinoal Law in Muslim Countries" National Library of Israel
- "WJC Analysis: The Ascent of Islamic Power in the Middle East" Pinhas Inbari, October 31, 2011, World Jewish Congress
- "U.N. Ruling: Islamic Sharia Taboo in Human Rights Council Debates" July 1, 2008
- "Sharia" Ahmed El Shamsy, Britannica Editors, September 10, 2026
Continue Reading
What was the Battle of Badr?
Fought on March 13, 624 CE, the Battle of Badr was the first major military confrontation in Islam. The battle was fought near Badr, southwest of Medina in present-day Saudi Arabia, between Prophet Muhammad’s small Muslim army of 300 soldiers and a force of 1,000 Meccan soldiers from the Quraysh tribe of Mecca. The battle was a prominent victory for the Prophet Muhammad's army and the early Muslim community against the Quraysh tribe of Mecca.
ReadWhat is the Final Pillar of Islam?
The final pillar of Islam is the Hajj, also known as the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It started around 2000 BCE, while the modern Islamic rites were established and performed by the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. If physically and financially able, every Muslim is mandated to make the trip at least once in their lifetime, which occurs between the 8th and 12th or 13th days of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.
ReadWhat is Lebanon's National Pact of 1943?
Lebanon’s National Pact of 1943 is a key unwritten agreement that established the nation’s political system after gaining independence from France. The pact was designed to balance power among the country’s many religious communities, especially Maronite Christians, Sunnis, and Shia Muslims.
Read