Sharia Law Rules and Punishment
Sharia Law is a system of Islamic religious law derived from the Qur’an, Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), ijma (scholarly consensus), and qiyas (analogical reasoning). It covers both personal behavior and legal matters, including criminal law, civil obligations, family law, and religious practices.
Key Areas of Sharia Law
Religious Duties – e.g., prayer, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage.
Personal Conduct – dietary laws, modesty, gender interaction.
Family Law – marriage, divorce, inheritance.
Commercial Law – contracts, trade, financial transactions.
Criminal Law – offenses and prescribed punishments.
Criminal Law: Categories & Punishments
Sharia criminal law divides offenses into three main categories, each with different levels of punishment:
1. Hudud (Fixed Punishments)
These are considered crimes against God with fixed punishments defined in scripture.
| Offense | Description | Prescribed Punishment (in classical interpretations) |
|---|---|---|
| Theft | Taking property without right | Amputation of the hand (under strict conditions) |
| Adultery/Zina | Sexual relations outside marriage | Stoning (married); 100 lashes (unmarried) |
| False accusation of zina (Qadhf) | Accusing someone of adultery without 4 witnesses | 80 lashes |
| Drinking alcohol | Consuming intoxicants | 40–80 lashes |
| Highway robbery (Hirabah) | Banditry or terrorism | Death, crucifixion, or amputation, depending on severity |
| Apostasy (Riddah) | Leaving Islam (varied views) | Death (in classical law, debated today) |
Note: Hudud punishments require extremely high standards of evidence and are rarely applied in most modern states.
2. Qisas (Retribution)
These are crimes against individuals (e.g., murder, injury), where the victim or their family has the right to seek:
Equal retaliation (e.g., “an eye for an eye”), or
Diyya (blood money/compensation), or
Forgiveness
3. Ta’zir (Discretionary Punishments)
These cover all other offenses not under Hudud or Qisas. Punishments are at the judge’s discretion, often including:
Fines
Imprisonment
Public reprimands
Corporal punishment (in some jurisdictions)
Modern Application
Sharia law is interpreted and applied differently depending on the country. Some apply it fully (e.g., Saudi Arabia, Iran), others only in personal matters (e.g., marriage, divorce in Malaysia, Indonesia), while others separate religion from state law entirely.
Related Articles:
1. Why US Invaded Iraq
2. Why Russia Invaded Ukraine
3. Top 10 Universities in the World
4. Top 10 Economies in the World
5. Top 10 Military in the World
6. Top 10 Websites in the World
7. Top 10 Investments to Make Money
8. Top 10 Holiday Destinations
9. Top 10 Companies in the World
10. Top 10 Richest People in the World
