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• Sharia is a body of Islamic law based on the Koran. Sharia is the foundation for the legal system in many Islamic countries and is also followed by individual Muslims in daily life.

• Fast Facts

  1. Regulates all aspects of human life
  2. Regulates private life, for example marriage, family life and hygiene
  3. Also regulates governance, trading, finances and contracts
  4. Many Islamic countries base their legal systems on Sharia, such as Saudi Arabia and IranCouncil on Foreign Relations: Islam: Governing Under Sharia
  5. Some countries where the majority of the population is Muslim have a secular government, such as TurkeyCouncil on Foreign Relations: Islam: Governing Under Sharia
  6. Other countries base only some of their laws on ShariaCouncil on Foreign Relations: Islam: Governing Under Sharia
  7. Sharia means "path"Council on Foreign Relations: Islam: Governing Under Sharia

• Foundation

  Sharia is based on:

  1. The Koran
  2. The Hadith, records of Mohammad's life
  3. Iima, the consensus of Islamic scholars
  4. Qiyas, the interpretation and application of preceding laws to determine regulations for issues not previously covered by Sharia"Council on Foreign Relations: Islam: Governing Under Sharia

• Sharia on Family

  According to Sharia, both parties must enter into a marriage voluntarily. Women are restricted to marry only Muslims, while Muslim men are allowed to marry "people of the book": Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Men can file for divorce by saying "I divorce you" three times. Women can only file for divorce under limited circumstances. The man is considered the head of the family.Council on Foreign Relations: Islam: Governing Under Sharia

• Sharia on Finance

  The laws on banking transactions are restricted under Islamic muamalat, for example, the charging of interest rates is forbidden under Sharia. Many international finance companies have made adjustments to better serve Muslim customers. Several insurance companies, for example, offer "takaful" insurance policies that follow Islamic law. The company cannot earn interest on these policies and must send some of the profit to Islamic charity.Fox News: AIG Bailout Promotes Shariah Law, Lawsuit Claims (December 22, 2008)

• Sharia in Pakistan

  It was reported on February 16, 2009, that Pakistan has agreed to permit Sharia law in parts of the country, specifically the northwest area of Pakistan including the Swat valley. The decision is part of a larger peace deal between Pakistan and Taliban fighters.Al Jazeera English: Pakistan to allow sharia in Swat (February 16, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Sharia Marriage | Islam | Mohammad | Iran | Saudi Arabia | Divorce | Marriage

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