Islam is not a religion like Christianity which, “Renders unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”.[1] There is no separation between religion and politics in Islam. All spheres of life, state and society are governed by Allah’s guidance in the form of the sharia (شَرِيعَة).

Sharia comprises of all the rules (ahkam) derived from the legislative sources of Islam. These rules are not just limited to areas covering beliefs and morals, but rather the Islamic rules cover every action performed by an individual or state. Allah (Most High) says:

فَرَّطْنَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ

“Nothing have We omitted from the book”[2]

Iyad Hilal says, “The linguistic meaning of the word Sharia is a non-exhaustive source of water with which people satisfy their thirst. Thus, the linguistic significance of Sharia is that the Islamic laws are effectively a source of guidance. As water is the fundamental basis of life, the Islamic laws are an essential source for guiding human life.

Sharia is composed of all the laws derived from the legislative sources of Islam. These laws are not just limited to areas covering marriage or divorce; rather, the Islamic laws cover every action performed by an individual or a society. The term Sharia is also a synonym for Fiqh.”[3]

Notes

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[1] Bible, Matthew 22:21

[2] Holy Qur’an, Surah al-An’am, ayah 38

[3] Abu Tariq Hilal/Abu Ismael al-Beirawi, ‘Understanding Usul Al-Fiqh,’ Revival Publications, 2007, p.10