Nature and Authority of Sharia Law
PAGE 1 – THE NATURE AND AUTHORITY OF THE SHARIA
PAGE 2 – HOW THE WILL OF GOD MAY BE KNOWN REGARDING CONTEMPORAY ISSUES
PAGE 3 – AUTHORITY
PAGE 4 – IMPORTANCE (GUIDE TO LIFE, ACCURACY)
PAGE 5 – DIFFERING UNDERSTANDINGS OF IJTIHAD
PAGE 6 – GLOSSARY
Nature and Authority of the Shari’a
In technical terms it is a clearly defined way of following the guidance of God that was left as a pattern for Islamic living by each of the messengers: Muhammad [SAW] left a Shari’a left for the Muslims that was based on the rules and regulations of the faith. We have seen this through the way Muslims pray five times a day keep the fast, obtaining the five pillars. The Shari’a is never an arbitrary law made up by the prophets or by a vote among the people. It is divinely ordained way that the Prophet implemented and human beings are to follow in obedience to the will of God.
Human beings not created in a vacuum but with a definite purpose – worship God
Humans are not only responsible for their own actions but for creating a just social order and being a vice regent of the world. [Khalifah]
Shari’a literally means a road or highway, a well beaten path that leads to definite place. Such a path becomes clearly defined that one can see in the dark. E.g. the path trodden from a village to a river or a well to fetch water would be a Shari’a, and the same for animals.
Shari’a is a now a familiar term to Muslims and non-Muslims. It is often heard in news stories about politics, crime, feminism, terrorism and civilisation.
Many aspects of a Muslim’s life are governed by Shari’a. Shari’a law originates from a combination of sources such as the Qur’an and the Hadith and also Fatwas
Many people, including Muslims, misunderstand Shari’a. It's often associated with the amputation of limbs, death by stoning, lashes and other medieval punishments. Because of this, it is sometimes thought of as draconian. People in the West view Shari’a as archaic and unfair social ideas
PAGE 2 – HOW THE WILL OF GOD MAY BE KNOWN REGARDING CONTEMPORAY ISSUES
PAGE 3 – AUTHORITY
PAGE 4 – IMPORTANCE (GUIDE TO LIFE, ACCURACY)
PAGE 5 – DIFFERING UNDERSTANDINGS OF IJTIHAD
PAGE 6 – GLOSSARY
Nature and Authority of the Shari’a
In technical terms it is a clearly defined way of following the guidance of God that was left as a pattern for Islamic living by each of the messengers: Muhammad [SAW] left a Shari’a left for the Muslims that was based on the rules and regulations of the faith. We have seen this through the way Muslims pray five times a day keep the fast, obtaining the five pillars. The Shari’a is never an arbitrary law made up by the prophets or by a vote among the people. It is divinely ordained way that the Prophet implemented and human beings are to follow in obedience to the will of God.
Human beings not created in a vacuum but with a definite purpose – worship God
Humans are not only responsible for their own actions but for creating a just social order and being a vice regent of the world. [Khalifah]
Shari’a literally means a road or highway, a well beaten path that leads to definite place. Such a path becomes clearly defined that one can see in the dark. E.g. the path trodden from a village to a river or a well to fetch water would be a Shari’a, and the same for animals.
Shari’a is a now a familiar term to Muslims and non-Muslims. It is often heard in news stories about politics, crime, feminism, terrorism and civilisation.
Many aspects of a Muslim’s life are governed by Shari’a. Shari’a law originates from a combination of sources such as the Qur’an and the Hadith and also Fatwas
Many people, including Muslims, misunderstand Shari’a. It's often associated with the amputation of limbs, death by stoning, lashes and other medieval punishments. Because of this, it is sometimes thought of as draconian. People in the West view Shari’a as archaic and unfair social ideas