The Status of Shar’ia in the Muslim World

The Distinction between Shar’ia and Fiqh Shar’ia is the the maxims, admonitions, legal sanctions, and prohibitions enshrined in the Qur’an (Ayoub 117) Shar’ia is the the maxims, admonitions, legal sanctions, and prohibitions enshrined in the Qur’an (Ayoub 117) What is Shar’ia? What is Shar’ia? Qur’an and Sunna -or- Qur’an, Sunna, and classical fiqh Qur’an and Sunna -or- Qur’an, Sunna, and classical fiqh Principles/Norms (Shar’ia) vs. Knowledge and Implementation (fiqh) of these laws Principles/Norms (Shar’ia) vs. Knowledge and Implementation (fiqh) of these laws Shar’ia is not an abstract system of ethics or moral philosophy but a way of life Shar’ia is not an abstract system of ethics or moral philosophy but a way of life The Four Schools of Jurisprudence The Four Schools of Jurisprudence Abu Hanifah, d. 767 (Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan) Abu Hanifah, d. 767 (Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan) Malik b. Anas, d. 795 (North and West Africa) Malik b. Anas, d. 795 (North and West Africa) Idris Shaf’i, d. 819 (Low Egypt, East and Southeast Asia) Idris Shaf’i, d. 819 (Low Egypt, East and Southeast Asia) Hanbal, d. 855 (Saudi Arabia) Hanbal, d. 855 (Saudi Arabia) Jafar al-Sadiq, d. 765 Jafar al-Sadiq, d. 765

Methodology Methodology Ijma (Maleki/Shaf’I/Hanbalite) Ijma (Maleki/Shaf’I/Hanbalite) Qiyas and istihsan(Hanafi School) Qiyas and istihsan(Hanafi School) Ray, Urf (Maleki School) Ray, Urf (Maleki School) Usul al-Fiqh (Roots of Law) Usul al-Fiqh (Roots of Law) Furu al-Fiqh (Branches of Law) Furu al-Fiqh (Branches of Law) Classification of human acts Classification of human acts Lawful and obligatory (Halal) Lawful and obligatory (Halal) Lawful and commended (Mustahabb) Lawful and commended (Mustahabb) Lawful and neutral (Mubah) Lawful and neutral (Mubah) Not unlawful yet reprehensible (Makruh) Not unlawful yet reprehensible (Makruh) Unlawful (Haram) Unlawful (Haram) Methodology in Shar’ia

Two Main Domains of Shar’ia Ibadat Ibadat Ritual purification (wudu) Ritual purification (wudu) Prayers (salat) Prayers (salat) Fasts Fasts Charities Charities Pilgrimage Pilgrimage Mu’amalat Finance Endowment Family Food and drink Penal punishment (hudud) Warfare and peace Judicial Matters

The Status of Non-Muslims and Religious Freedom in Muslim Countries Abu Zaid is an Egyptian scholar who was declared apostate in 1995, divorced from his wife, and forced to emigrate from Egypt. Azlina Jailani was a Malaysian Muslim who converted Christianity in 1998 and was subsequently tried for apostasy. Her sentence is still pending Abdul Rahman was an Afghan Muslim who converted to Christianity in 2006 and was tried for apostasy but not convicted.

Family Law The new family code in Morocco (2004) Equality: Equality: Husband and wife share joint responsibility for the family; Husband and wife share joint responsibility for the family; The wife is no longer legally obliged to obey her husband; The wife is no longer legally obliged to obey her husband; The adult woman is entitled to self-guardianship, rather than that of a male family member, and may exercise it freely and independently; The adult woman is entitled to self-guardianship, rather than that of a male family member, and may exercise it freely and independently; The minimum age of marriage is 18 for both men and women. The minimum age of marriage is 18 for both men and women. Divorce: Divorce: The right to divorce is a prerogative of both men and women, exercised under judicial supervision; The right to divorce is a prerogative of both men and women, exercised under judicial supervision; The principle of divorce by mutual consent is established. The principle of divorce by mutual consent is established. Polygamy: Polygamy: Polygamy is subject to the judge’s authorization and to stringent legal conditions, making the practice nearly impossible; Polygamy is subject to the judge’s authorization and to stringent legal conditions, making the practice nearly impossible; The woman has the right to impose a condition in the marriage contract requiring that her husband refrain from taking other wives; The woman has the right to impose a condition in the marriage contract requiring that her husband refrain from taking other wives; If there is no pre-established condition, the first wife must be informed of her husband’s intent to remarry, the second wife must be informed that her husband-to-be is already married, and moreover, the first wife may ask for a divorce due to harm suffered. If there is no pre-established condition, the first wife must be informed of her husband’s intent to remarry, the second wife must be informed that her husband-to-be is already married, and moreover, the first wife may ask for a divorce due to harm suffered.