Sources of Sharia Law in the Religion of Islam - Essay Example

? Islamic Rules al Affiliation: Introduction Sharia is a term used to refer to the rules and regulations that govern the Islam religion. It is the moral religious law and the moral code of Islam. This law deals with many issues including economics, crime and politics. It also deals with other personal matters such as hygiene, prayer and sexual intercourse. This sharia law varies from one culture to another in accordance to its strictness. Though it varies in regards to culture, it is considered the law of God which is opposed to the interpretation of law according to human nature. There are two major sources of this law in the religion of Islam. The first source is the Quran where there are laws that are indicated therein, that govern individuals in the religion of Islam. The second example is an example set by Prophet Muhammad in Sunnah. The sharia law has official status where leaders have different responsibilities basing on their positions of leadership. Shariah has been divided into five main branches which are: Crime and chastisement Economic system Family relations External relations and other relations as well. Bequest and disposal of possessions. There are various rules and regulations that are supposed to be followed by the Muslims in which if not. They are punishable by this same law. This gives a clear impression that they have to do what is expected of them at the right time, place and with the right people. This is to make certain that they show respect to their God just like other religions do. In the contemporary society, Muslims stick to their law making sure that they follow all the rule and regulations to avoid breaking the law. Generally in the Islam religion, there are five major pillars of rules and regulations that all of them are supposed to adhere to no matter what position of leadership they have in their religious hierarchy. All Muslims are following the five pillars because these pillars are the most important parts in Islam religion. According to Islam 101 “The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life. The five pillars include: Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophet hood of Muhammad Establishment of the daily prayers Concern for and almsgiving to the needy Self-purification through fasting The pilgrimage to Makah and this is especially for those who are able. In other words, the five pillars involve declaring that Allah is GOD and Mohammad is GOD’s messenger, doing prayers on time, alms “Zakat” giving poor Muslims food, money and so on for Muslims who are able to do the Zakat, fasting Ramadan, and doing pilgrimage “Hajj” for Muslims who can do the Hajj. It is strongly believed that if there is any Muslim doesn’t do these five pillars, he or she will not go to heaven unless Allah forgives them since Allah is the source of forgiveness for them. This essay seeks to explain how these laws are implemented in the contemporary Islam religion. Since there are many rules and regulations to be followed, this essay will major on the economic laws, marriage laws and the dress codes. These are the three issues that this essay will cover, explaining how these laws are implemented in the contemporary society, in the Islam religion. Looking at the first issue of discussion under the sharia law which is economics law, there are various rules and regulations that govern the Muslim religion for them to live as expected and carry out activities that are able to make the economy better than how it is. All Muslims who are living in situations that are above the subsistence level must pay alms. These alms are referred to as zakat and they are paid annually. Paying of alms is not a charitable activity carried out by the Muslims rather it is an obligation Muslims in comfortable living conditions are supposed to help those who are living under the poverty line so that they can also live better lives like other people in the society. The amount of alms to be paid by the wealthy Muslims is calculated basing on the wealth. This gives a clear impression that those who have more wealth pay more alms compared to those who are less wealthy. In this case, those who have more wealth contribute more to making sure that the poor in the community do not suffer yet they are in a position to help. With this law, they have no option other than give their contribution since it is not an option but an obligation. Another law under the economic sector in the sharia law is that the ownership of property lies with Allah. Having wealth does not mean that all that wealth belongs to an individual who owns it. There is an obligation to share to especially with the poor. This law is formed in the Quran where it is stated that there should be no unequal exchanges in trade. This means that those who help the needy are not expected to demand for other things as substitutes. This is mainly because the poor do not have and that is why they are given a helping hand. Demanding other goods from them in terms of exchange means they are not offered any support. Muslims follow these rules and regulations making sure that they adhere to all of them because laws are supposed to be kept. There is no choice since it is not an option but an obligation. The second issue under discussion in this case is marriage. Marriage laws in the Islamic community have been governed by diverse rules and regulations based on the Qur’an. The Islamic laws governing marriage have been found to be different from other religious practices. This is based on the concept that, it allows a man to marry women up to four. This clearly illustrates that divorce in the Islamic community cannot be based on the notion that an individual has engaged in adultery. Research indicate that a woman in the Islamic community do not necessarily have to consent with the practices leading to her marriage once the contract has been inaugurated by the elders based on the Qur’an and the Sharia law. Research also indicates that it is not significant to have the presence of the bride while signing the contract of agreement. This has been illustrated by other religions as being biased as it creates an environment where women are looked upon as inferior in the society. Marriage among the Muslims is taken as private and can only be decided upon by the parents of the groom and the bride. This clearly explains that the groom and bride will get to know about the decisions after the implementation process has taken place. However, this has been found to be different among individuals from other communities. This should be strictly followed by Muslims as it is based on the sharia laws governing the religion. Sharia law guides all the processes undertaken by the members of the religion. This is inclusive of the notion that, a wedding ceremony is not considered as a necessity. Sharia law described the act of carrying out a wedding ceremony as being non-sacramental based on the idea used by the Roman Catholic. Marriage can still be considered as being legal in the Islamic community, whether the individuals getting married are present or not. The Islamic laws do not regard marriage as a sacred institution, but rather a contractual practice. This also indicates that marriage has been regarded as a contract. Research indicates that Islamic laws do not necessarily need any event to take place for the union to be marked and regarded as holy. This clearly illustrates that union between two individuals getting married without having to follow a given procedure. In the Islamic religion, there should be a verbal consent that is implemented for the procedure involving marriage to be undertaken. The Muslim community regards marriage as nikah. This word has been used, and has been widely known in the community to mean polygamy. This means that the Muslim community has been allowed by the religious leaders and sharia laws to engage in polygamy. However, this is only applicable to the male gender. Marriages that are considered temporary have been known to be commonplace in the Muslim religion. In the Islamic laws, a temporary marriage has been described as an agreement between a woman and man to engage in a union that is founded in convenience. This has also included the notion that temporary marriage is implemented for the economic gain of the woman as well as sexual pleasure for the man. The concept behind temporary marriage has remained an issue of concern among individuals in the Islamic community. Research indicates that before the seventh century A.D., it was common for individu8als to engage in temporary marriage. However, the religious leaders of the Muslim community later implemented other decisions that explained temporary marriage as religiously ineffective and legally unbinding. Marriage in other communities has been considered a binding agreement that should follow a given order. This has been considered as convenient in ensuring that individuals are not engaged in temporary marriages, which is not the case with the Muslim religious culture. Therefore, the sharia laws concerning temporary marriages only influence individuals from the Muslim community. In the Islamic community, marriage is considered a institution that is aimed at keeping individuals from understanding intimacy that is considered as emotionally real. This has led to factors contributing to polygamy in the Muslim community. However, the sharia law does not give orders against polygamy among Muslim individuals. Men in the Muslim communities have the chance to marry non-believers. This is acceptable in the sharia laws governing the Muslim religion. However, women in the Muslim community have not been given the chance. This clearly illustrates that men in the Muslim community have been being considered different from women and have not been given equal advantages as compared to women. The third issue to be discussed under this law of the Muslim religion is the dress code. Dress code based on the sharia law governs the way in which both men and women should dress relative to attire and also dresses. These rules have been considered as different for the men as well as for the ladies. This is based on the notion that, men are not supposed to have silk and gold on their bodies as part of their attires. The rules governing the Islamic community clearly illustrates that men are expected to cover certain parts of their bodies. This is when they are with other individuals either from their community or other communities. The men are also not expected to wear silk and gold as is the case with the women. Women in the Muslim community are also expected to have certain parts of their bodies covered. This is applicable to instances when they are going out with their families and friends. The best attire suggested for women include an outer garment and a headscarf which, men in the Islamic community are not expected to do. Jilbab has been widely known attire for women in the Muslim community. This is based on the notion that, sharia law expects dignity to be expressed by the women. Research indicates that Muslim community has been known to have a distinct dressing code from that of individuals from other religious communities. The rules governing the way in which women should wear in the Muslim community have been based on the Qur’an. This has established the regulations that have been followed by women in the Muslim communities over the years from one generation to another. This has also helped in enacting rules that enable women to have uniformity in the dressing code that is depicted to the outside environment. Men in the Islamic religions have also been guided by the laid down rules and regulations by the sharia law. This has helped the Muslim community to create diversity between the other religious communities from the Muslim religion. This has also made it easy for the Muslim community to identify each other whenever they are out through inter –mingling with other religious communities. Religious leaders have been found to be strict on the dressing code that is expected from both the male and female in the community. This is based on the notion that, there should be a way that individuals look presentable to the outside world. Therefore, this has been of immense help in ensuring that the Muslim community remains widely known over the world to follow the rules and regulations governing their religion. Conclusion Muslims always take care to make sure that they do not go against the rules and regulations that govern them. Since Islam is a religion like any other, the members believe that there are consequences to suffer for going against some laws. This is the reason why they make certain all the laws are adhered to. In the event of going against the law, they always go ahead and seek for forgiveness from their God who is Allah. He is the source of forgiveness and blessings to them. They believe that those who do not go against the law will be blessed because Allah will be happy with their deeds and shower them with blessings. There are rules therefore, that are supposed to be adhered to by all Muslims regardless of the position. This means that there are rules and regulations that all Muslims are supposed to follow. There are those strict rules that are supposed to be adhered to by the leaders in the religion. These rules are kept by the leaders and do not affect those who are not in the leadership position. Islam as a religion generally has rules and regulations that should be followed basing on what position an individual has. Recommendation To make certain that there are no punishments to be faced by the Muslims, they have to ensure that they do not go against any laws. They have to keep all laws making sure that they are not broken because they believe that there are those which when broken may lead to serious curse from their God Allah. With the five pillars, every Muslim has to make sure that these practices are implemented to avoid losing the chance of going to heaven as it is believed. Generally, Muslims are expected to follow all the rules and regulations that govern them, ensuring that they take part in all religious activities for them to have blessings and have all that they hope for in life. Reference Zahid, I. (n.d.). Five pillars of islam. Retrieved from http://www.islam101.com/dawah/pillars.html Read More