1. Religion, Peace and Justice Knowledge Check
Name three things that make war permissible or ‘Just’ in Islam?
What does Harb al-Muqadis mean?
What is Jihad?
Why did Muhammad (PBUH) say you should hate your enemy mildly?
Who is credited with creating the Just War Theory? (a Christian)
What is the difference between Lesser and Greater Jihad?
Name two ways a Muslim engages in Greater Jihad on a day to day level?
Name one war that some people could argue is an example of Lesser Jihad?
What is the Sword Verse?
How do some people use the Sword Verse out of context?

2. Shar’iah Law

3. What is Shari’ah law?
It literally means a “a path to be followed” or ‘‘source of life’’
Technically – it is a complete code of Moral, Social, Economic, Political and Religious life adopted by all/ most Muslims
In a nutshell: Shari’ah = Islamic Law

4. Up to 95% of Shari’ah Law is the same as the UK legal code.
Most of the laws relate to civil matters; property ownership, marriage, inheritance etc

5. Sources of Shariah Law 1
The Quran (Muslims believe it contains God’s Law)
The Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad – (Who interpreted and explained the laws of God)
Analogical deduction – Quran doesn’t address each and every human situation. (That is literally impossible) So in the sitaution where something is not in the Quran or the Teachings of the Prophet – ‘universal principles’ from the Quran are used along with reason to deduce a ruling.
E.g: Alcohol is forbidden (illegal) in the Quran because of its negative impact on intellect and other things
No ruling for other harsh drugs can be found in the Quran
The two are similar in that they have a negative impact on the intellect – thus harsh drugs take the same ruling as Alcohol. Harsh drugs are also ‘illegal’ under Shariah Law.

6. Sources of Shariah Law 2
Public Interest/ Good – Looking at what is in the best interest of the society. (see slide 6)
Customary Practice – General practices of people from country to country are different. The custom of the people is sometimes considered.

7. What does Shariah cover?
Shariah Law covers the rules and regulations concerning:
Ritual Worship of Muslims
Family Law – Marriage and Divorce
Economic/ Business Law – make sure all financial transactions are fair and just
Inheritance Law – Money of deceased are fairly distributed
Criminal Law – ensure justice and stability in society
International Law – Concerns all aspects of International Relations. E.g: Trade and Sanctions, Peace Treaties, Rules of War etc

8. Objectives of Shariah Law
Shariah Law aims to provide protection of:
Religions (all religion and beliefs)
Life
Lineage
Wealth
Intellect
Honour and Dignity

9. Clarifying misconceptions
Muslims living in countries that do not have Shariah law MUST obey the law of the country they are in, as following the law of the ‘host’ country is also part of Shariah Law.
Not anybody can apply Shari’ah Law – it must go through the courts and follow due process
Only a qualified Judge has the right to make a ruling
The premise is – Innocent until proven guilty!

10. Crime and Punishment
Like any legal system, different crimes have different punishments.
This can range from:
Paying a fine
Community service
Going to jail
In serious crimes, capital punishment is still sometimes enforced, but has strict conditions attached before it can be implemented
Capital punishment – i.e: death penalty, lashing, chopping off the hand

11. Islamic Criminal Law Today …
Tariq Ramadan:
“The majority of the ulamâ’ (Muslim scholars), historically and today, are of the opinion that these penalties are on the whole Islamic but that the conditions under which they should be implemented are nearly impossible to reestablish.
These penalties, therefore, are “almost never applicable”. The hudûd [capital punishment] would, therefore, serve as a “deterrent,” the objective of which would be to stir the conscience of the believer to the gravity of an action warranting such a punishment”

12. Death Penalty Treason – conspire against the state
Intentional Murder (eye for an eye)
Committing Adultery (‘Cheating’ on your spouse), but there are conditions:*
There must be 4 witnesses to have witnessed the 2 people engaged in intercourse (they each must be there in person and see the actual penetration of the body parts)
The 4 witnesses must all be considered truthful people, who must each have 2 people to attest to their truthfulness
There must be no doubt that the act happened
The one accused must admit to their guilt
The judge must be 100% certain, and must give the accused 3 opportunities to appeal against the decision.
*If anyone of the above conditions are not met the punishment cannot take place

13. Lashing
Fornication (Sex outside of marriage), but there are conditions: Same as adultery

14. Cutting off the Hand When someone commits theft. Basic Conditions:
The person must be sane, over 15 years of age, and not living in poverty
Petty theft is not included – the theft must be of a significant value
For an item to be considered stolen it must be taken from the owners possession and put into the possession of the thief in a place that is considered a place of safe keeping
Stealing of food is not considered
The evidence against the convicted person must be beyond reasonable doubt

15. ‘Avert the capital punishments with doubt’
In all cases …
Innocent until proven guilty!
In terms of capital punishment - The principle rule for the judge:
‘Avert the capital punishments with doubt’
Meaning: The judge should look for every reason to avert the death penalty, lashing, and chopping of the hand; by considering all possible scenarios, ensuring that these punishments are only applied in the worst and most serious of cases

16. Case study
In Turkey, during the ottoman empire, a woman was convicted of fornication.
She had become pregnant
However the judge ruled in her favour by suggesting that:
She used a hammam (a public bath – common in Turkey in those days)
There might have been some sperm (from a previous male user) that she sat on which could have possibly impregnated her
The possibility of such a thing occurring = doubt
Thus no punishment

17. Consider the Following Scenarios…

18. Scenario 1 14 year old boy steals a car
No charge – too young, however judge may rule to have some community service
The guardians will be rebuked – but no charge; however compensation must be paid for any damages and inconvenience caused

19. Scenario 2 A man has a secret affair with a married woman No charge
No witnesses
Impossible to prove

20. Scenario 3 A man steals a chocolate bar
Petty Theft: ASBO/ Fine/ Community service, but no capital punishment – value too less

21. Scenario 4 A rich man steals an expensive item
If the man is sane
Knows full well that stealing the item is a crime – (sane)
Publically admits to the crime of theft
After taking the item he puts it in a place of safe keeping (i.e: his own house or its like)
No doubt in the matter of his stealing
No plausible reason for taking the item
If item was not in a place where it is prone to theft
Ruling: Hand chopped off

22. Scenario 5 A poor girl steals some food
No punishment on grounds of poverty
(under Shariah Law, the state is responsible for eradicating poverty)

23. Scenario 6 There is a famine/ drought
All capital punishment related to theft is dropped – due to public interest
However crimes of theft may result in paying fines, and in very serious cases jail time.

24. Activity Consider the Benefits and Disadvantages of Shariah Law:
Benefits Disadvantages

25. Debate
Debate whether the application of Shari’ah Law would be beneficial for a society

26. Social Justice Orphans The needy Travelers
The concern that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of their background
The Qur’an stresses the importance of equality. All are created by Allah, therefore all are equal However, three groups are seen as being most in need of care
Orphans
The needy
Travelers

27. Orphans, Elderly and ‘the needy’
The elderly must be cared for within the family unit (so care homes should not be an option)
Orphans should, where possible be cared for by a relative and receive their inheritance.
The needy are those considered in poverty, disadvantaged or disabled
‘it is not fault in the blind, or in the one born lame, or the one afflicted with illness’ Surah 24:61

28. Travellers
These people re the homeless, or those that wander from place to place. ‘Sofa suffers’ could be a modern example.