Islam Continued Morality

Shariah Law Set of moral rules Set out by Allah A path towards living a devout life Legal rules to help govern Muslim society

Origins of Shariah Qur’an Sunna Hadith If not covered in the above: legal experts provide interpretations, called fiqh

Implementing Shariah Obligatory actions / duties (5 Pillars) Recommended actions (e.g., charity work) Neutral actions (not covered by Shariah) Discouraged actions (e.g., divorce) Forbidden actions (e.g., murder, adultery)

Shariah Law in Canada Muslims observe shariah in non-legal moral areas Some want to use shariah to solve legal disputes, e.g., family disputes, marriage, divorce Some people fear equality rights of women could be threatened if shariah replaces civil law

Fatwas interpretations of scripture for today A fatwa: a religious opinion on Islamic law from a scholar Can be on any matter

Family Life Arabia during Muhammad’s time: harsh & patriarchal Qur’an improved the treatment of women In Canada, husbands & wives share household and child rearing duties Challenge: finding gender roles that respect Canadian laws & nurture families, still reflecting Islam’s teachings

Clothing Based on virtues of modesty & respect Styles vary worldwide: Garment covering whole body when outside one’s home, may or may not cover face Western style clothes, headscarf (hijab) Modest dress following local customs Men: covered at least from navel to knees

Education Muslim schools: madrasas Areas of study: Arabic, Qur’an, shariah, Hadith, logic, Muslim history

Diet Foods allowed: halal Foods forbidden: haram e.g., alcohol, pork Meat must be slaughtered in a ritual way Kosher foods are permitted when halal foods are not available

Sexuality Catholics, Jews & Muslims affirm the joy of sexual relationships between husband & wife Same purpose of conjugal love: Good of the spouses Transmitting life

Islam teaches Sexual relations  ritual impurity Ritual purification before prayer Sins: premarital sex, masturbation, homosexual acts & pornography Islam not against artificial birth control, joined Catholics at UN condemning government-imposed birth control regulations.