REMINDER TO MUSLIMS ALL AROUND THE WORLD

I read this article in American Thinker that was published in 2005 titled "Top 10 reasons why Shariah is bad for all societies” and laughed hard until I almost fall out of my chair (yeah, so “un-ladylike” of me) but then again, the author ( a chap by the name of James Arlandson from Quebec Canada) had the chit to quote “out of context” hadith and verses of the Holy Quran to support his preposterous claim. There you have it - another ignorant person whom I 1000% believe is a non-Muslim commenting on Shariah matters that he did not have any knowledge of .

To all the 1 billion Muslims out there, I leave you with this hadith that stresses on the importance of removing evil acts from society and to maintain what is right and fight what is wrong :

Abu Said al-Khudri reported the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) as saying : “Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hands; if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith” (Muslim, 40 hadith, Al-Nawawi, no 34).

BASICS ABOUT SHARIAH

Shariah is often referred to as Islamic law, but this is wrong, as only a small part is irrefutably based upon the core Islamic text, the Quran. Also, calling the Shariah 'law' can be misleading, as Shariah extends beyond law. Shariah is the totality of religious, political, social, domestic and private life. Shariah is primarily meant for all Muslims, but applies to a certain extent also for people living inside a Muslim society.

Dogmatically, Shariah is not something the intelligence of man can prove wrong, it is only to be accepted by humans, since it is based on the will of God.

The regulations of the Shariah can be divided into two groups:

1. regulations on worship and ritual duties

2. regulations of juridical and political nature

But despite this, many parts of the Shariah have no or little importance in most Muslim societies, except in those that have gone through a phase of Islamization (Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and to some extent Libya). But the Shariah has much importance in domestic judicial fields like family, marriage and inheritance.

In Islam, there are four schools (madhhab), which all coexist in peace. No war has ever been fought over the issue of different schools, and students of religious subjects in most Muslim countries have to learn about all four schools. It is in many cases permissible to use a law from another school, if one feels that it is more appropriate. All schools have a lot in common, but there are many cases where the same act is regarded very differently. For the very same issue the schools can stretch from classifying things to be everything between forbidden and meritorious.

The modernist movement in Islam has opposed the traditional view of Shariah stating that the law cannot be changed by man, insisting that it should be applied to the actual situation and new ideas, meaning that new interpretations are allowed, provided that they do not contravene any Shariah rules.

WRONG PERCEPTION OF ISLAM AND SHARIAH

It is indeed ironic that people loves to talk and/or comment about Shariah matters even though they have little (or no) knowledge of the subject .

The statement was issued by my Islamic law professor the other day and that kept me thinking…is it because that it involves the issue of Islam as a religion? Or is there any other issue/agenda that needs to be probed further?

We must realize that the Western world holds false perception about Islam that has no relationship with reality; and the intensity and continuity of this prejudice shows no signs of slackening even in this liberal and tolerant climate of today's world. In the Western perception, Shariah law is seen as law of intolerance which promotes the denial of basic human rights and is intolerant of other faiths. It is also presumed that Shariah law does not give any rights to women and treats them as second-class citizens. This perception is based on the stories that are published in the press about the practices of honour killing and the treatment of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

What have been painted so far are actually the extremes and do not depict the real essence of Islam. We all know that the religion of Islam does not teach us division or hatred. Islam only teaches peace and co-existence and understanding of each other, and stands supreme among all religions for its comprehensiveness and rationality.

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) encapsulated the guidance in his sermon that he delivered on the 9^th Zulhijjah 10 A.H. in the valley of Mount Arafat in Mecca where he said,:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope of that he will be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah's trust and with His permission.

If they abide by your right, then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat.

Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action.

Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim that belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves.

Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware: do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

People! Understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Qur'an and my Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."

I would like to quote one part of the article written by Denis J. Wiechman, Jerry D. Kendall, and Mohammad K. Azarian on "Islamic Law : Myths and Realities" where it was said that contemporary treatment of Islamic Law and "Radical Muslims" is filled with stereotypical characterizations. Some in the Western media have used the "New York City bombings" as a way to increase hate and prejudice. They have taken the views of a few radicals and projected them onto all Muslims. This action has done a great disservice to the Muslim world. Some academic writings also have been distorted and not always completely accurate and some researchers have concluded that Islamic Law requires a fixed punishment for all crimes.

Lastly, a Muslim who is trying to live his religion is indeed a true believer in God. This person tries to live all of the tenets of his religion in a fundamental way. Thus, a true Muslim is a fundamentalist in the practice of that religion, but a true Muslim is not radical, because the Quran teaches tolerance and moderation in all things. When the popular media generalizes from the fundamentalist believer to the "radical fundamentalist" label they do a disservice to all Muslims.