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Is the shari’a Law antithetical to US
justice and values?
The Expression Shari’a Law is redundant
because it means the Law Law. The
correct way is to say the Islamic Law.
The Islamic Law is derived from the
commandments found in the Quran or in
the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. The
objectives of these commandments are
summarized in the following verse.
“Allah commands justice, goodness and
giving to kindred, and forbids
immorality, shameful deeds and
oppression” (Quran 16:80).
Anti-Muslims in their effort the
undermine Islam and Muslim communities
propagate that US Muslims are working on
Instituting ‘Shari’a Law’ which is
presented as a horrible barbaric law
that is antithetical to American values.
Both of these assertions are
fantasy-based narrative reflecting
anti-Islam prejudice The commandments of
Allah and the teachings of His Messenger
provide a code of ethics and values that
makes the life experience of an
individual one of honor, integrity,
justice, love, peace, and mercy. Any
alleged religious directives or
teachings that are oppressive are not of
Allah and His Messenger because Allah’s
Messenger was commissioned with
gentleness, not with harshness. He was
sent with mercy, not with cruelty.
Since the Islamic Law is purposed to
ensure justice, goodness, charity; and
to inhibit immorality, shameful deeds
and oppressive acts, thus it is by no
means antithetical to US justice and
values. Anti-Muslims, who exploit the
legitimate concerns of the American
people about terrorism, reduce the
Islamic Law to its punitive law while
conveniently forgetting or ignoring that
the Islamic Law entails worship law,
civil law, dietary law, commerce law,
moral Law and punitive law. The Islamic
Law in general is neither intended to be
restrictive nor punitive, rather a
catalyst for good practices and moral
behavior. Most of the various aspects of
the Islamic Law fall in the categories
of private life and religious liberty.
The main objectives of the Law is to
remove injustice and teach good morals
that advance the well being of the
society. Muslims who follow the Islamic
Law as much as it is a means to remove
injustice and teach good morals help
advance the well being of the society.
As far as the punitive law –even though
there is a built in buffer against
frivolous and unwarranted enforcements
of it— it is not relevant to US Muslims
as the law of the land is intended to
meet the spirit of the punitive law
which is to deter crimes and oppressions
and acquit the wronged. Supreme Court
Jurists can examine the Islamic Law to
derive from it solutions to problems
that face our society such as stem
research, abortion, and the ever
increasing crime rate.
Many aspects of the Islamic Law are
followed daily by many individuals who
do not eat pork, gamble or drink.
Following the Islamic Law does not
interfere with the freedom of others. US
Muslims are not in the business of
restoring theocracy rather they are in
the business of living a lifestyle
marked by morality, honesty and
advancing the well being of their
society. As Muslims, we are to strive to
serve God and country by practicing
mercy, charity, goodness and justice,
which are the essence of the Islamic Law
and the essence of US values.
Anti-Muslims while claiming to respect
American values and traditions undermine
religious liberty and tolerance which
are important American traditions. |
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