What do Muslims believe the Sharia describes?
Muslims believe that the Sharia describes the way of life and the guidance provided by Allah (God) for Muslims to follow. Sharia, which translates to "the path to be followed," is an all-encompassing code of conduct that covers various aspects of life, including religious rituals, moral conduct, personal hygiene, dietary laws, financial transactions, criminal justice, family matters, and more. It is derived from the Quran (the holy book of Islam) and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad).
To understand what Muslims believe the Sharia describes, one must look at the primary sources of Islamic law:
1. The Quran: Muslims believe that the Quran is the literal word of Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. It contains guidance on various aspects of life and serves as the ultimate source of authority in Islamic law.
2. The Sunnah: The Sunnah refers to the sayings, actions, and approvals of Prophet Muhammad. It provides practical examples of how to live according to Islamic teachings and is considered the second most important source of Sharia.
3. Consensus of Scholars: Islamic scholars play a crucial role in interpreting and implementing Sharia. Through scholarly consensus, they establish legal principles and rulings based on the Quran and Sunnah.
4. Analogical Reasoning: Known as 'Qiyas,' analogical reasoning is used to apply existing Islamic legal principles to new situations not explicitly addressed in the primary sources. Scholars use the underlying principles to derive rulings in contemporary matters.
5. Individual Reasoning: 'Ijtihad' refers to the personal reasoning and interpretation of Islamic scholars based on their understanding of the primary sources. This allows for the adaptation of Sharia to address new challenges and contexts.
It is important to note that interpretations and understandings of Sharia can vary among different Muslim communities and scholars, leading to different practices and implementations.