5.3 Islamic Law (Sharia)

Understanding Islamic Law in Daily Life

Islamic Law, known as Sharīʿah, is the practical expression of submission to Allah in every area of life. It is not only a set of legal rules. It is a path that guides the believer in belief, worship, character and dealings with people. The word Sharīʿah in Arabic originally refers to a clear path that leads to water, the source of life. In the same way, Sharīʿah is the clear way that leads to spiritual life and nearness to Allah.

Allah describes His way as a complete and balanced guidance that covers all aspects of human existence. It treats the human being as a whole, body and soul, individual and member of society, person of this world and traveler to the next.

“Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on a clear Sharīʿah of (Our) command. So follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.”
(Qur’an 45:18)

“This day I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
(Qur’an 5:3)

These verses show that Sharīʿah is Allah’s perfected path, not a human invention. It is a trust from the Creator to the creation.

The Purpose and Spirit of Sharīʿah

Sharīʿah exists to bring benefit and remove harm, in both this life and the next. Classical Muslim scholars summarized its core aims in protecting religion, life, mind, family, and property. These are not five separate systems, but five central interests that Allah wants preserved for the well-being of humanity.

Allah tells us that His commands are never pointless or harsh for their own sake. They come with wisdom and mercy, and they protect people from falling into destruction.

“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
(Qur’an 2:185)

“Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.”
(Qur’an 5:6)

The Prophet ﷺ explained that this religion is meant to be lived in a balanced way, not as unbearable difficulty.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Religion is easy, and no one makes the religion hard upon himself except that it will overcome him. So be moderate, do the best you can, and be of good cheer.”
(Al-Bukhārī)

Underlying every rule in Sharīʿah is a wisdom, even when that wisdom is not immediately clear to us. Sometimes Allah mentions the reason explicitly, as in the command of justice and mercy.

“Indeed, Allah commands justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.”
(Qur’an 16:90)

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Qur’an 21:107)

Sharīʿah flows from this mercy. When a believer studies its rules with an open heart, he or she discovers that it shapes a society built on justice, kindness, responsibility, and dignity.

Law, Worship, and Character as One Whole

In Islam, law, worship, and character are not separated. The same Lord who commands prayer and fasting also commands fairness in trade and kindness to parents. To obey Him in ritual worship, but disobey Him in dealings with people, is a contradiction.

Allah connects rituals and ethics repeatedly.

“Indeed, prayer keeps one from shameful and unjust deeds.”
(Qur’an 29:45)

“Establish prayer and give zakāh and bow with those who bow in worship.”
(Qur’an 2:43)

“Give full measure and weight in justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity.”
(Qur’an 6:152)

The Prophet ﷺ showed that real religious practice must transform character.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most complete of the believers in faith are those best in character.”
(At-Tirmidhī)

He ﷺ also linked law and spirituality when he described a true Muslim.

“The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe, and the believer is the one whom people trust regarding their lives and their wealth.”
(An-Nasā’ī)

Following Sharīʿah is therefore not only about courtrooms or punishments. It is about how a person speaks, works, raises a family, treats neighbors, manages money, uses time, and responds under pressure. Each of these actions is placed under Allah’s guidance so that life becomes continuous worship.

Sources and Certainty in Law

This course will later explain the sources of Islamic law in more detail. Here we only point to what is specific to understanding Sharīʿah itself. Sharīʿah is not built on personal opinion or changing fashion. It is based on revelation from Allah and clarification by the Prophet ﷺ. The Qur’an is the primary source, and the Sunnah explains, details, and applies it.

“And whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain from it. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.”
(Qur’an 59:7)

“Nor does he (Muhammad) speak from [his own] desire. It is only a revelation revealed.”
(Qur’an 53:3–4)

Within Sharīʿah, some rulings are certain and clear, such as the obligation of the five daily prayers, the prohibition of alcohol, or the obligation of zakāh and fasting in Ramadan. These are agreed upon and form part of the basic structure of the religion.

Other issues may have differing scholarly opinions because they are based on detailed interpretation of texts. This difference is a recognized part of Sharīʿah and is handled with respect, knowledge, and humility, not with anger or division.

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The clear and agreed upon rulings of Sharīʿah are part of the firm structure of Islam, while issues of legitimate scholarly difference must be approached with knowledge, humility, and respect.
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Balancing Rights and Duties

A key feature of Sharīʿah is its balance between rights and responsibilities. Every right that one person enjoys corresponds to a duty that someone else carries. This applies between individuals and their families, between rulers and the people, between employers and employees, and between neighbors and their communities.

Allah commands that rights be fulfilled for all, not only for the powerful or the favored.

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
(Qur’an 5:8)

“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers so that [they might aid] you to consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].”
(Qur’an 2:188)

The Prophet ﷺ warned against taking even a small amount of someone’s property without right.

He ﷺ said: “Whoever takes a span of land unjustly, he will be sunk down seven earths with it on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Al-Bukhārī and Muslim)

Sharīʿah also balances duties toward Allah and duties toward people. Fulfilling obligations to others is not separate from worship of Allah. Violating people’s rights is one of the greatest dangers in the Hereafter.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do you know who the bankrupt person is?” They said: “The bankrupt among us is the one who has no money and no possessions.” He said: “The bankrupt from my nation is the one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and zakāh, but he comes having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one, and beaten this one. So this one is given from his good deeds and that one is given from his good deeds. If his good deeds run out before what he owes is repaid, some of their sins will be taken and cast upon him, then he will be cast into the Fire.”
(Muslim)

This hadith shows that Sharīʿah judges the believer not only by ritual acts, but also by the way he or she treated others.

Flexibility, Hardship, and Ease

Islamic Law combines firm principles with flexibility in details. The basic duties do not change, but their application can take into account individual circumstances and genuine hardship. This is part of the mercy of Sharīʿah.

Allah mentions that He has made certain concessions when there is difficulty, such as in travel, illness, or fear.

“And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands with it. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.”
(Qur’an 4:43)

“He has chosen you and has not placed upon you in the religion any hardship.”
(Qur’an 22:78)

The Prophet ﷺ described the pattern of his mission clearly.

“Indeed, this religion is firm, so proceed in it gently, and do not make the worship of Allah hateful to yourselves.”
(Ahmad)

“Whenever the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was given a choice between two matters, he chose the easier of the two, so long as it was not sinful. But if it was sinful, he was the farthest of the people from it.”
(Al-Bukhārī and Muslim)

From these texts, scholars developed principles that allow them to apply Sharīʿah in various situations while remaining faithful to its spirit. These principles include removing hardship, preventing harm, and weighing benefits and harms when applying specific rules. These principles are not based on personal desires, but extracted from the Qur’an and Sunnah.

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Sharīʿah does not aim at hardship. When genuine difficulty exists, it permits lawful ease within clear limits, without changing the basic obligations or making the unlawful lawful.
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Sharīʿah as a Path to Inner Purification

Although Sharīʿah includes outward actions, its ultimate goal is inner purification. It trains the heart to recognize Allah’s rights and the rights of His creation. The same law that organizes contracts and punishments also commands repentance, sincerity, patience, and humility.

Allah connects legal principles with spiritual states.

“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”
(Qur’an 2:222)

“Take, [O Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase and invoke Allah’s blessings upon them.”
(Qur’an 9:103)

Legal commands in Sharīʿah, such as giving zakāh or avoiding usury, are not simply social regulations. They are means of cleansing the heart from greed and attachment to this world. Similarly, rules regarding modesty and chastity are not only social restrictions. They protect the soul and mind from corruption and keep the heart clear for remembrance of Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ explained that in the body there is a part that controls the rest.

“Truly, in the body there is a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.”
(Al-Bukhārī and Muslim)

Sharīʿah works on this “piece of flesh” by giving clear steps for repentance, for seeking forgiveness, for making wrongs right, and for returning to Allah after every slip. It does not expect perfection from the believer, but constant turning back to obedience.

Sharīʿah and the Hereafter

One of the most important aspects of Islamic Law is that it does not only look at this worldly life. Every command and prohibition is also connected to the Day of Judgment. A believer follows Sharīʿah with the awareness that he or she will stand before Allah and be questioned about beliefs, words, and deeds.

Allah reminds the believers to prepare for that meeting.

“So by your Lord, We will surely question them all about what they used to do.”
(Qur’an 15:92–93)

“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.”
(Qur’an 2:281)

The Prophet ﷺ said that everyone is responsible and will be questioned regarding that responsibility.

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock. The leader of the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is a shepherd over the people of his house and is responsible for them. A woman is a shepherd over the house of her husband and his children and is responsible for them. A servant is a shepherd over the wealth of his master and is responsible for it. Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.”
(Al-Bukhārī and Muslim)

Because Sharīʿah is connected to the Hereafter, it measures success not only by material gain or worldly comfort, but by the pleasure of Allah. Sometimes obeying a command may bring difficulty in this life, but eternal success. Sometimes avoiding a prohibition may mean losing wealth or status, but gaining Allah’s reward. For the believer who understands the purpose of life, this trade is always worth it.

Living Sharīʿah as a Beginner

For an absolute beginner, Sharīʿah might at first sound like a vast system. In practice, the way to live it begins with simple and gradual steps. A person first learns the basics of belief and worship. Then he or she gradually applies the clear and agreed upon obligations, such as daily prayers, fasting in Ramadan, basic honesty, respect for parents, and staying away from obvious major sins like alcohol, usury, and unjust treatment of others.

The Prophet ﷺ was asked by a man about salvation, and he guided him to focus on what he could control.

A man said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a deed that will admit me into Paradise.” He ﷺ said: “Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, establish the prayer, pay the zakāh, and maintain ties of kinship.”
(Al-Bukhārī and Muslim)

Another man asked for something short and comprehensive.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Say, ‘I believe in Allah,’ and then remain steadfast.”
(Muslim)

For a new or learning Muslim, living Sharīʿah means exactly this. Affirming belief in Allah, then trying to be firm upon what one learns, step by step. With time, as knowledge increases, one’s practice becomes more complete and one’s understanding of the wisdom and beauty of Sharīʿah grows.

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The path of Sharīʿah for the beginner is to learn the basics of belief and worship, practice the clear obligations, avoid the clear prohibitions, and constantly seek more knowledge with sincerity and patience.
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Sharīʿah is therefore not a distant legal code, but the living path of a believer who walks toward Allah in every action, every day, and in every part of life.