The Characteristics of Shariah

1. Shariah is Divining Origin (Al-Rabbaniyyah):

i. Shariah law is free from discrepancies and shortcomings

ii. Respecting, Honoring and Obeying Its Commandments
2. Shariah is Universal (al-alamiyyah):

i. The Shariah Propagates The Protection Of Interest And

Rejection Of Evil.
ii. Contains Universal Principles.
3. Realistic and Contemporary (al-Waqiiyyah):
i. Contains Exceptional Principles In The Implementation Of Its
Laws .
ii. Contains Flexible Principles.
4. The Rewards And Punishments In Shariah Is In This World And in
the Hereafter.
5. The Completeness of Shariah (al-Syumul).

1. Shariah is Divining Origin (Al-Rabbaniyyah /

):

- The source is divine revelation (

) from Allah s.w.t.
- Allah as the Creator, knows what is the best for His creation.
- Best to suit all the need of mankind.

86 :

For verily is thy Lord Who is the All-Creator, Knowing all things

36 : )

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allh and His Messenger
have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their
decision. And whoever disobeys Allh and His Messenger, he has
indeed strayed in a plain error.

(



)51: ) (

The only saying of the faithful believers, when they are called to Allh (His
Words, the Qur'n) and His Messenger (SAW), to judge between them, is
that they say: "We hear and we obey." And such are the prosperous ones
(who will live forever in Paradise).

i. Shariah law is free from discrepancies and shortcomings:

- it is purely revealed for the interest and benefit of mankind. This is different
from any man made law which has the tendency to be manipulated.
- it is free from any discrepancies. All human beings are equal in the eye of
the law.

(

13 : )

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you
into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most
honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has more At-Taqwa

 ( :

)
Prophet said: O Mankind, please be informed that your God is One and your
father (origin) is one, verily, there is no different between the Arabs over the
non-Arabs nor the non-Arabs over the Arabs nor the white over the black nor
the black over the whites except with taqwa (the degree of piousness)

( :
)
Prophet Muhammad said: I swear in the name of Allah, if Fatimah bint
Muhammad (the daughter of the Prophet) has stolen anything (and convicted
for the crime), I will chop her hand.

82 :
Do they not ponder on the Quran? Had it been from other than
Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy.
ii. Respecting, Honoring and Obeying Its Commandments
- People will have the sense of respect in obeying the commandment of Allah
(Shariah) as it is a divine order and is different from any others
commandment which come from man.
- It is part of the aqidah of a Muslim to believe and obey all the
commandment of Allah as implementing them are part of ibadah.
- This is proven during the time of the Prophet, when rulings of Islamic law
were revealed by Allah, the companions of the Prophet s.a.w. would
immediately implement them without hesitation.

2. Shariah is Universal (al-alamiyyah)( ) :

- Suitable: anytime, any where, every one.
158

: ) ...
(

Say (O Muhammad s.a.w.): O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the

Messenger of Allah.
28:

)
(

And We have not send you (O Muhammad s.a.w.) except as a giver of glad
tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.

i. The Shariah Propagates The Protection Of Interest And

Rejection Of Evil.

- Islam encourages all the good deeds and forbids everything that can bring
harm to individual, society or the entire universe.
- Example: punishment for killing someone intentionally is that he shall forfeit
his life (qisas). This ruling was revealed to protect the life and interest of
people in the society.

ii. Contains Universal Principles:

a) The principal of shura (mutual consultation) in Islam.

- important principle in making decisions concerning public interest.

38:) ...

And those who answer the Call of their Lord, and perform al-Salah , and
who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation.
b) The principle of equality (al-musawa).

- No discrimination in the implementation of Islamic law.

- All are equal in the eye of law.
- This principle is essential in order to uphold justice in society.

c) The principle of justice (al-adalah) .

58:

Allah does not command you to render back your trusts to whom they are
due; and when you judge between man and man, that you judge with
justice

d) The principle of no harm shall be inflicted nor reciprocated (la

dharar wa la dhirar).

- The principle indicates that all kinds of harm whether it involves

individual, society or environment shall be avoided.
- Any harm that inflicted should not be responded or revenged by
inflicting another harm.

- The above principals and many other principals in Islam can be applied
at all times and places as they are universally acceptable principles.
- Neglecting such important principles might lead to chaos and instability.

3. Realistic and Contemporary (al-Waqiiyyah wa alMuasarah):

i. Contains Exceptional Principles In The Implementation Of Its
Laws:
- This is called the principle of rukhsah in Islam.
Example: person who is unable to stand is allowed to perform
his prayer in sitting or sleeping position, to combine and shorten
the obligatory prayers during the journey.
- to allow a person to do actions which is forbidden in Islam in
emergency situation (darurah).
Principle or maxism:

( )
Necessity renders prohibited things permissible.

Example: eating of foods prohibited in Islam is allowed under the

principle of darurah in order to save ones life.

ii. Contains Flexible Principles:

- Transactions using internet, machine, credit cards and other
modern technology.

- The acceptance of customs (adah):

the principle of Customs is arbitrary ( )

4. The Rewards And Punishments In Shariah Is In This

World And in the Hereafter.

14-13 :

These are the limits (set by) Allah and whosoever obeys Allah and
His Messenger (Muhammad s.a.w.), will be admitted to Gardens
under which rivers flow (in paradise), to abide therein; and that he
will be the great success. And whosoever disobey Allah and His
Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the
fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment.

5. The Completeness of Shariah (al-Syumul).

3 : )
This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour
upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.

38

(
: )

Nothing have We omitted from the book) al-Quran

89 : )

" And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran) as an
exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad
tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah
as Muslims)"
- Islam is a complete way of life.
- It covers all aspects of human life: individual, family, society,
etc.