Table of Contents
Misunderstandings About Sharīʿah
Sharīʿah is one of the most misunderstood words in the modern world. Many images attached to it come from media, politics, or cultural practices, not from the Qur’an and Sunnah. In this chapter we only clarify some common misconceptions, without repeating the full definition of Sharīʿah or its sources, which are treated in the earlier chapters.
Misconception 1: “Sharīʿah Is Only about Punishments”
A very common idea is that Sharīʿah means only criminal penalties or “hudūd,” such as cutting the hand of the thief or stoning. In reality, these are a very small and restricted part of Islamic law.
Most of Sharīʿah deals with worship, family life, business dealings, manners, and ethics. The Qur’an speaks about prayer, charity, marriage, justice, kindness, and mercy far more often than it mentions punishments.
Allah describes the Prophet ﷺ as a mercy to all creation.
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Qur’an 21:107)
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding his own mission:
“I was only sent to perfect righteous character.”
(Musnad Aḥmad)
Criminal penalties exist, but they are fenced by strict conditions, high standards of proof, and many chances for repentance, and they are only one small piece within a comprehensive system that aims at protecting life, faith, intellect, property, and family.
Sharīʿah is a complete way of life. Criminal penalties are a minor part, surrounded by mercy, conditions, and justice, not its main purpose.
Misconception 2: “Sharīʿah Is Harsh and Oppressive”
Some imagine that Sharīʿah is by nature cruel or harsh. This comes from taking verses or reports out of context and ignoring the principles of mercy, justice, and ease that run through the entire revelation.
Allah clearly states that He does not intend hardship for people in His law.
“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.”
(Qur’an 2:185)
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
(Qur’an 2:286)
The Prophet ﷺ taught his companions to make things easy, not hard.
“Make things easy and do not make things difficult; give glad tidings and do not drive people away.”
(al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
Islam recognizes human weakness, allows concessions in hardship, and links every ruling to wisdom and benefit, even if that benefit is sometimes hidden from us. When Sharīʿah is properly understood and applied, it protects people from oppression, instead of being a source of it.
Oppression is, in fact, strictly forbidden.
“O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for Myself and have made it forbidden among you, so do not oppress one another.”
(Muslim)
Any action that is unjust and oppressive is not “Sharīʿah” in the true sense, even if someone wrongly uses that name.
Misconception 3: “Sharīʿah Is Only Ancient and Cannot Fit Modern Life”
Some people think Sharīʿah belongs to the past and cannot function in the modern world. This assumes that Allah’s guidance is limited by time and place, which contradicts the Qur’an.
“And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good tidings for the Muslims.”
(Qur’an 16:89)
“Today I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
(Qur’an 5:3)
The basics of Sharīʿah do not change, such as the oneness of Allah, prayer, fasting, prohibition of interest, or the duty of justice. At the same time, within Sharīʿah there are flexible tools, such as legal reasoning by qualified scholars and consideration of custom and public interest, that allow new situations to be addressed without changing the core principles.
The Prophet ﷺ acknowledged that people’s conditions change and instructed that judgments can consider their circumstances.
“You present your cases to me, and some of you may be more eloquent in argument than others, so I judge according to what I hear...”
(al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
This shows that the application of principles takes human realities into account. The law is not frozen in the past, but its eternal values are applied to every time and place by people of knowledge.
Sharīʿah is fixed in its foundations and principles, but it has flexibility in application, so it remains valid and relevant in every age.
Misconception 4: “Sharīʿah Is Only for Arabs or a Particular Culture”
Some think that Sharīʿah is simply “Arab culture.” In reality, Sharīʿah is revelation from Allah, not the customs of any tribe or nation. The Qur’an criticizes blind following of ancestors when it contradicts divine guidance.
“And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that upon which we found our fathers.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?”
(Qur’an 2:170)
Islam came for all people, regardless of race or culture.
“And We have not sent you except comprehensively to mankind as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.”
(Qur’an 34:28)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O people, your Lord is one and your father (Adam) is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab, nor of a white over a black, nor of a black over a white, except by taqwā (piety).”
(Aḥmad)
Cultures may adopt Islamic rulings in different ways, and some cultural habits may be good and acceptable, while others may clearly oppose Sharīʿah and must be rejected. To confuse culture with religion leads to blaming Islam for wrong customs that Islam itself does not approve.
Misconception 5: “Sharīʿah Oppresses Women”
Another widespread claim is that Sharīʿah is against women. This is often based on unjust cultural practices or on partial views of Islamic rulings without context or balance.
Allah states that He created men and women from a single soul and gave them the same spiritual worth.
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women.”
(Qur’an 4:1)
In matters of faith and reward, both genders are equal.
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, ... Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.”
(Qur’an 33:35)
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized kind treatment of women.
“The best of you are the best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.”
(at-Tirmidhī)
He also said:
“I advise you to treat women well.”
(al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
Sharīʿah gives women rights that were often denied in many societies, such as the right to own property, receive a dowry, inherit, seek knowledge, and keep their own wealth. It assigns different roles in some areas, but different roles do not mean lower spiritual value.
Injustice against women, forced marriage, denial of inheritance, or physical abuse are forbidden in Sharīʿah, even if they are common in some cultures. When people act unjustly, they are disobeying Sharīʿah, not applying it.
Any practice that abuses or degrades women is against the spirit and law of Sharīʿah, even if done in Muslim societies.
Misconception 6: “Sharīʿah Forces People to Believe”
Some imagine that Sharīʿah means forcing everyone to accept Islam. Faith, however, must be sincere and from the heart. The Qur’an explicitly rejects compulsion in belief.
“There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has become clear from the wrong.”
(Qur’an 2:256)
The Prophet ﷺ never forced people to become Muslims. His role was to convey the message clearly.
“So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. You are not over them a controller.”
(Qur’an 88:21–22)
“Your duty is only to convey [the message], and Ours is the account.”
(Qur’an 13:40)
People can be invited, argued with in a gentle way, and shown the truth, but they cannot be forced to accept faith. Sharīʿah organizes the public life of a Muslim community, but inner belief remains between each individual and Allah.
Misconception 7: “Sharīʿah Is Against Reason and Science”
Another claim is that Sharīʿah demands blind following and opposes intellect or scientific progress. In fact, the Qur’an repeatedly calls people to use their minds, reflect, and observe the world.
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.”
(Qur’an 3:190)
“Will you not use reason?”
(repeated in many places, for example Qur’an 2:44)
At the same time, revelation has a higher authority than human thinking, because human minds are limited and can make mistakes. Reason and Sharīʿah are not enemies. Reason is used to understand Sharīʿah, to derive rulings, and to explore the creation, but it does not overrule clear revelation.
The Prophet ﷺ allowed the use of experience and judgment in worldly matters. When the companions once asked him about pollinating date palms and his advice seemed not to work, he said:
“You are more knowledgeable about the matters of your worldly life.”
(Muslim)
This shows that scientific and practical knowledge is recognized, while moral and spiritual guidance comes from revelation.
Misconception 8: “Sharīʿah Means Chaos or Rebellion Against Law”
Some think that to follow Sharīʿah means to reject all existing laws and create disorder. In reality, Sharīʿah values order, justice, covenants, and respect for agreements.
Muslims are told to be faithful to their contracts.
“O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.”
(Qur’an 5:1)
They are also commanded to obey those in authority, as long as this does not involve disobeying Allah.
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.”
(Qur’an 4:59)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A Muslim must listen to and obey [the ruler] in what he likes and dislikes, unless he is commanded to commit a sin. If he is commanded to commit a sin, then there is no listening and no obeying.”
(al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
This means that Muslims living under any system should be loyal citizens, respect public order, and work for justice by lawful and peaceful means. Chaos, treachery, and harming innocent people are forbidden in Sharīʿah.
Sharīʿah calls to order, justice, and the fulfillment of agreements, not to chaos, betrayal, or lawlessness.
Misconception 9: “Every Opinion Claimed as ‘Sharīʿah’ Is Equally True”
Sometimes people present their personal views, political goals, or cultural habits as “Sharīʿah.” This confuses many, who then think that every strict or strange claim must be part of Islam.
Sharīʿah comes from the Qur’an and authentic Sunnah, understood through the work of trustworthy scholars. It is not simply whatever any individual says. The Qur’an instructs believers to refer back to the revelation and to people of knowledge when there is disagreement.
“And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.”
(Qur’an 4:59)
“So ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.”
(Qur’an 16:43)
The Prophet ﷺ warned against speaking about religion without knowledge.
“Whoever lies about me intentionally, let him take his seat in the Fire.”
(al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
A claim that “this is Sharīʿah” needs evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah, and it must be in harmony with the general principles of justice, mercy, wisdom, and benefit that are found throughout the religion.
Misconception 10: “Sharīʿah Leaves No Room for Mercy or Forgiveness”
Some imagine that once a sin is committed, Sharīʿah only demands punishment and there is no possibility of mercy. This ignores the central place of repentance and forgiveness in Islam.
Allah often calls Himself the Most Merciful and the One who accepts repentance.
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’”
(Qur’an 39:53)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“All the children of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent often.”
(at-Tirmidhī)
In many cases, sincere repentance in this life can remove the need for any worldly penalty, and even where a legal punishment exists, its aim includes purification and protection of society, not cruelty.
In addition, many sins have no legal punishment in this world at all and are left to Allah, who may forgive them through repentance, good deeds, or His pure grace.
Sharīʿah always keeps the door of repentance open. Mercy and forgiveness are central, not marginal, in Allah’s law.
Seeing Sharīʿah as Guidance, Not as a Burden
When misconceptions are removed, Sharīʿah appears as it truly is, a path of guidance, mercy, and justice that leads human beings toward what benefits them in this life and the next.
Allah describes His laws as a light and guidance.
“Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on a clear way (sharīʿah) of the matter, so follow it and do not follow the inclinations of those who do not know.”
(Qur’an 45:18)
“But Allah is calling to the Home of Peace and guides whom He wills to a straight path.”
(Qur’an 10:25)
Approaching Sharīʿah with humility, seeking knowledge from its authentic sources, and separating it from cultural abuses allows a person to appreciate it as a divine gift, not as a human tool of oppression.