Countries Ruled by Sharia Law
What is Sharia?
In Arabic, Sharia means path or the way. It is not actually a body of law instead they are broad ethical and moral principles that have been taken from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad and the Holy Book of Quran. These broad principles are deduced by experts to come up with certain moral instructions and legal decrees. The laws that surface from Sharia interpretation is known as ‘fiqh’ in Arabic or Islamic law. Sharia offers to its follower’s guidance on how to lead an ethical life.
Although there is no country that runs on absolute Sharia law most Muslim countries incorporate Sharia at a certain level in their legal structure. Some countries even consider it to be the highest source of law in their constitution. Sharia laws are usually seen in application where laws are concerned with personal matters such as domestic violence, divorce, marriage, child support, inheritance, family matters etc. Several Muslim countries also use Sharia in criminal justice.
What are the types of punishment under Sharia Law?
Sharia is not only about punishment. It also guides its followers about how to pray, treat family members and their neighbours. It desists Muslims to gossip, lie, rob, perform adultery or kill. This is why there are certain punishments in Quran for not following these guidelines. There are different types of punishments that have been set by various countries who follow Sharia to judge people for their offense. However, Islam has always required proof before a punishment is carried out on a person.
For crimes like adultery, rape or murder the punishment could death by stoning. Several international organisations have spoken against the way of punishment as it is inhumane and cruel to end a life in such a degradable way. Another crime which is unforgivable in Muslim countries is apostasy which means to change your religion from a Muslim to some other religion. Honour killings have also been observed in several Muslim countries as a part of the Sharia law. This however, is denied by the Sharia experts saying that Islam doesn’t permit such treatment towards women. Yet there are countries that have been following Sharia Law mixed with their National laws. Most common way of punishment for small offences is caning or whipping in public.
In Arabic, Sharia means path or the way. It is not actually a body of law instead they are broad ethical and moral principles that have been taken from the sayings of Prophet Muhammad and the Holy Book of Quran. These broad principles are deduced by experts to come up with certain moral instructions and legal decrees. The laws that surface from Sharia interpretation is known as ‘fiqh’ in Arabic or Islamic law. Sharia offers to its follower’s guidance on how to lead an ethical life.
Although there is no country that runs on absolute Sharia law most Muslim countries incorporate Sharia at a certain level in their legal structure. Some countries even consider it to be the highest source of law in their constitution. Sharia laws are usually seen in application where laws are concerned with personal matters such as domestic violence, divorce, marriage, child support, inheritance, family matters etc. Several Muslim countries also use Sharia in criminal justice.
What are the types of punishment under Sharia Law?
Sharia is not only about punishment. It also guides its followers about how to pray, treat family members and their neighbours. It desists Muslims to gossip, lie, rob, perform adultery or kill. This is why there are certain punishments in Quran for not following these guidelines. There are different types of punishments that have been set by various countries who follow Sharia to judge people for their offense. However, Islam has always required proof before a punishment is carried out on a person.
For crimes like adultery, rape or murder the punishment could death by stoning. Several international organisations have spoken against the way of punishment as it is inhumane and cruel to end a life in such a degradable way. Another crime which is unforgivable in Muslim countries is apostasy which means to change your religion from a Muslim to some other religion. Honour killings have also been observed in several Muslim countries as a part of the Sharia law. This however, is denied by the Sharia experts saying that Islam doesn’t permit such treatment towards women. Yet there are countries that have been following Sharia Law mixed with their National laws. Most common way of punishment for small offences is caning or whipping in public.