Sharia

(noun)

(Islamic law) deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics, and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer, everyday etiquette and fasting. Historically, adherence to Islamic law has served as one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Muslim faith.

Related Terms

Examples of Sharia in the following topics:

  • Women in Pre-Islamic Arabia

    • After the rise of Islam, the Quran (the word of God) and the Hadith (the traditions of the prophet Muhammad) developed into Sharia, or Islamic religious law.
    • Sharia dictates that women should cover themselves with a veil.
    • In many modern Islamic countries, Sharia combines politics and religion.

  • Bornu Empire

    • Alwma introduced a number of legal and administrative reforms based on his religious beliefs and Islamic law (sharia).