Arguments in favor
- Supporters see it as a source of moral guidance and justice rooted in their faith
- Some argue that legal systems should reflect the values of their majority
Sharia law: Meaning and Examples
Sharia is the body of religious law and ethical guidance in Islam, drawn from the Quran, the example of the Prophet Muhammad and scholarly interpretation. How it is applied in state law varies widely between countries.
Also calledShariahIslamic law
Where do you stand?
Statement 1 of 3
Religious law, such as , canon law or halakha, should be one of the foundations of a country’s legal system.
Nothing is sent anywhere.
What does sharia law mean?
For Muslims, Sharia means the path or way that guides personal conduct, worship and ethics and, for some, legal matters as well. It is not a single codified book of law: different schools of jurisprudence interpret its sources differently, and scholars continue to debate how it applies today.
Countries relate to Sharia very differently. In some, such as Saudi Arabia and Iran, it forms the basis of much of the legal system. In others, such as Egypt, it is named as a principal source of legislation alongside secular law. In many Muslim-majority countries it applies mainly to family matters such as marriage and inheritance, and some, like Turkey, are officially secular.
What are some examples of sharia law?
Real cases that people point to when they use the word.
Family courts in several countries apply Islamic personal-status law to marriage, divorce and inheritance for Muslims.
Some states, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, base large parts of their criminal and civil law on their interpretation of Sharia.
Many Muslims follow Sharia as personal faith and ethics, with no link to state law.
What are the arguments for and against sharia law?
Reasonable people disagree about this. These are the strongest points made on each side.
Arguments against and open questions
- Critics worry about its effect on freedom of religion and belief, and on the rights of women and minorities when it is applied as state law
- Many Muslims argue for a secular state, or for interpretations that are compatible with modern human rights
How does sharia law show up in the 12 axes test?
The test asks about it in a statement. Your answer moves one axis score.
A statement saying that religious law, such as Sharia, canon law or halakha, should be one foundation of a country’s legal system moves your score toward the Religious side of the Irreligious vs Religious axis. It names three religions so that it measures the principle, not any single faith.
Which way agreeing pushes the score
IrreligiousReligious
Agreeing with a statement about sharia law moves your score toward Religious.
Sharia law: frequently asked questions
No. It is interpreted through different schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and countries apply it very differently, from comprehensive legal systems to personal-status courts or none at all.
Yes. Examples include halakha in Judaism and canon law in the Catholic Church. Whether religious law should be part of state law is a separate political question.
On the 12 axes, this term sits on the Irreligious vs Religious axis, which asks: “Should law and government be secular, or should they reflect religious teaching?” Agreeing with a statement about it moves your score toward Religious.
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Where do you stand on Irreligious vs Religious?
Three statements gave you a first reading. The full test scores all twelve axes and finds your closest countries and ideologies.