What is Shariat/Laws or Rulings of Islam? - Internet's No.1 Domain Name !

Shariat, commonly known as Sharia, is the Islamic legal system that serves as a comprehensive framework of laws, rulings, and ethical guidelines for Muslims. It is primarily derived from two key sources:

The Quran: The holy book of Islam, believed to be the direct word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
The Hadith: The recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad, which provide practical examples and interpretations of the Quran’s teachings.

Scope of Sharia

Sharia governs a wide range of aspects in a Muslim’s life, including:

Worship: Encompassing the Five Pillars of Islam, which are mandatory acts of devotion:

Shahada – Declaration of faith in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad.
Salah – Performing five daily prayers.
Zakat – Giving charity to the poor and needy.
Sawm – Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
Hajj – Undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if financially and physically able.

Personal Conduct: Rules regarding marriage, divorce, inheritance, dress codes, and dietary laws (e.g., halal and haram).
Social and Economic Interactions: Guidelines for business dealings, contracts, and justice administration.

Interpretation and Application

The practical application of Sharia is facilitated through Fiqh, or Islamic jurisprudence, which represents the human interpretation of divine laws. Different schools of thought within Islam, such as the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools in Sunni Islam, offer varied interpretations and rulings based on these sources. Additionally, Ijtihad—independent reasoning by qualified scholars—allows Sharia to adapt to changing times and contexts.

Broader Significance

Sharia is more than a legal code; it is a way of life that provides moral and ethical guidance for Muslims. While it includes specific laws, it also emphasizes personal responsibility and spiritual growth. Though sometimes misunderstood as rigid or punitive, for many Muslims, Sharia offers structure and a path to living in accordance with God’s will.

In essence, Shariat or the laws and rulings of Islam are the divine guidelines derived from the Quran and Hadith, interpreted through Fiqh, and applied to regulate worship, personal behavior, and societal interactions in a Muslim’s life.

Sharia, often translated as Islamic Law or Rulings of Islam, is a comprehensive code of moral norms and ethical conduct, along with a body of divinely ordained religious law. It’s based on the Quran and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad), and guides Muslims on how to live a righteous life. Sharia provides guidance on a wide range of matters, from religious rituals to everyday life, including finances and investments. [1, 2, 3]

Here’s a more detailed explanation: [3, 3]

Divine Guidance: Sharia is seen as God’s guidance for Muslims, providing a framework for how to live a righteous life. [3, 3]
Interpreted by Scholars: While Sharia is based on the Quran and Sunnah, its interpretation and application are done by Muslim scholars, leading to different interpretations and variations in how it is applied in different societies. [1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6]
Scope of Sharia: Sharia covers a wide range of aspects of life, including: [7, 7]
- Religious practices: Prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and other rituals. [2, 7, 7, 8]
- Family law: Marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family relations. [9, 9, 10, 10]
- Criminal law: Punishment for crimes, as practiced in some countries. [5, 9, 11, 11, 12]
- Civil law: Contracts, property, and business dealings. [11, 11, 13]
- Financial and economic laws: Islamic banking and finance, which prohibit interest (riba). [2, 2]
Sources of Sharia: The main sources of Sharia law are: [14, 14]
- The Quran: The holy book of Islam, believed to be the word of God. [14, 14]
- The Sunnah: The traditions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad. [14, 14]
- Ijma: The consensus of Islamic scholars on legal matters. [14, 14]
- Qiyas: Analogical reasoning, comparing new situations with those already addressed in the Quran and Sunnah. [14, 14]
Five Rulings: Sharia rulings are often categorized into five types: mandatory (obligatory), recommended, neutral, discouraged, and forbidden. [15, 15, 16, 16]