Linguistically, Sharia means a pathway. Technically, it is the Muslim law, derived mainly from the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), governing every aspect of a Muslim’s life. Sharia is made up of thousands of teachings and rulings covering theology, acts of worship, manners, human interactions, business transactions, family relations (marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc.), war and peace, belief in the unseen (God, angels, and the Hereafter), and criminal law.

Sharia mainly aims at protecting 5 things: 1) Life  2) Honour  3) Freedom to practice one’s faith  4) Intellect   5) Property. Therefore, there are punishments in Islamic Law for violating any of these rights. Every country has punishments for offences – even though the penalty for the same crime may vary from one country to another. To say that Sharia is all about chopping people’s hands off is like saying that the American law is all about killing people with the electric chair!

Sharia does not apply to non-Muslim minorities living in predominantly Muslim countries. Of the fifty-seven Muslim countries in the world, the great majority ar secular, not Sharia-based.

Muslims living in the West follow the law of the land and maintain Sharia mainly in personal matters (such as prayers, marriage, and inheritance). Sharia also forbids the consumption of pork, alcohol, and drugs. Smoking is frowned upon.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

It is worth mentioning that the first Arabic translation of the Bible was done centuries after the Prophet’s death. From an Islamic point of view, similarities between the Quran and the Bible (especially historical stories such as that of Joseph, Moses, and Jesus) stem from the fact that both scriptures came originally from the same source – divine revelation.

Because of differences in transmission and interpretation of the Bible, over time the stories changed. The Quranic narratives now appear slightly different, for example, unlike the Quran (20:120-122), in the book of Genesis, Eve was tempted to eat from the tree and therefore she is to blame for the Fall. Also, according to the Quran (Chapter 19), prophets are infallible of sin. But in the Bible, some prophets are guilty of shameful and even criminal acts. For example, David impregnated his neighbour’s wife (Bathsheba) before conspiring to get her husband (Uriah) killed (Il Samuel 11:1-27), Lot had sex with his two daughters (Genesis 19:30-38), and Noah got drunk and naked (Genesis 9:20-21).

Some Biblical stories are not in the Quran and vice versa. For example, the Biblical story of Isaiah is not in the Quran, while the story of Moses and Al-Khadir mentioned in Chapter 18 of the Quran is not in the Bible. Also, there are three miracles of Jesus in the Quran that are not in the Bible (see 5:110-115).

Although both scriptures emphasize global ethics (such as dignity, kindness, and charity), each revolves around a different theology. Both have contrasting views on the perception of God, Jesus, salvation, crucifixion, and the original sin.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

We have to make the distinction between what Islam teaches and how countries in the Muslim world are run. As pointed out earlier, many Muslim countries are secular-based, not fully subscribing to Islamic morals or western democratic values. Islam and modern democracies have many things in common. For example, the fundamental principles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are acceptable Islamically. What makes Islamic values unique is that they do not change over time, what is right in the sight of God is always right and what is wrong is always wrong. On the other hand, many secular freedoms (which have been mostly adopted in the last few decades) are still subject to debate in western societies.  For example, marijuana, same-sex marriage, abortion, incest, and prostitution are legal in some democracies and illegal in some others. The same applies to euthanasia and the death penalty. Moreover, in a secular society, the majority’s opinion prevails. In the Islamic concept of shura, the truth prevails even if it is held by a minority.  For example, the segregation of blacks and whites under the Jim Crow Laws and abuses against Indigenous Peoples would be prohibited under Sharia, since discrimination based on colour or race goes against Islamic beliefs.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

Life is sacred in Islam. The Quran (5:32) states, “Whoever takes a life …, it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” Those who manipulate verses from the Quran by taking them out of context to justify violence against innocents contradict the Quran’s call for tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Islam is unequivocally against terrorism (see 5:33).

Jihad means to strive for a better, more righteous life. The major jihad is to overcome one’s desires (such as greed). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says, “The highest form of jihad is to speak a word of truth in the presence of a tyrant,” “Kindness to parents is a form of jihad,” and “Charity to orphans and widows is jihad.” The minor jihad is fighting in self-defence. The Prophet set the etiquettes of fighting as follows: “Do not ask God to meet your enemies in battle” and “Do not start a war. If you must fight, then strike only at those ‘combatants” who attacked you. Do not attack women, children, the elderly, or those retreating in their places of worship. Do not cut down trees or kill animals.”

We have to keep in mind that all violent passages in the Quran (including verses in chapters 2, 8, 9, 47, and 48) strictly concern conflicts between early Muslims and the pagans of Mecca over 1400 years ago. As such, all passages should be understood in their historical context. In Islam, fighting is allowed against aggressors regardless of their faith. Fighting against innocents is prohibited regardless of their faith. Overall, violent passages in the Quran talk about one of three things:

• Fighting back in self-defence.
• Making peace if attackers cease.
• Or resuming the fight if a truce is violated. 

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

No religion condones the killing of innocents, but some people manipulate religion to justify acts of violence. So, even if Islam and other faiths have never existed, humans would have come up with other excuses to fight for domination. We nave seen notorious anti-religion, secularist ideologies, like those championed by Mao and Stalin the top mass murderers in modern history), which were responsible for over seventy million deaths in the 20th century. 

Most victims of violence in the Muslim world are Muslims, who are either killed by unjustified wars, suicide bombs, or drone attacks. Over the last few decades, hundreds of thousands have been killed – most of them civilians – and many others wounded or displaced. Justice, dignity, and education, some of the most fundamental aspects of human rights, are the key to peace and prosperity anywhere in the world.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

The Quran makes it clear that men and women are equal before God and the Law (16:97 and 33:35). Abuses against some Muslim women (e.g. honour killing and forced marriages) are cultural practices in some Muslim countries that contradict Islamic teachings.

There are many prominent Muslim women in every field: education, science, business, etc. Several Muslim women have been elected president and prime minister in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Turkey. The high status of women in Islam explains why 75% of reverts to Islam are women.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

The veil is deeply rooted in all Abrahamic traditions. Christian icons such as Mary and Mother Teresa are always depicted with veils. In the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet, both men and women are urged to be modest in their dress and behaviour. Hijab is worn by adult Muslim women in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

Islam guarantees the freedom of non-Muslims to practice their faith and protection for their places of worship. The Prophet said, “Whoever harms a non-Muslim under the protection of Islam, I shall be their opponent on Judgment Day and they will not even smell Paradise.” The Quran teaches that there are three types of brotherhood: brotherhood in humanity (this includes all human beings), biological brotherhood (one’s siblings), and brotherhood in faith (fellow Muslims).

Islam allows giving charity to non-Muslims and exchanging gifts and visits with them. The Quran (60:8-9) exhorts Muslims to be kind and generous to non-Muslims. It forbids forcing non-Muslims to convert to Islam (2:256). For centuries, non-Muslim communities thrived under Muslim rule. Many Christians and Jews occupied prominent positions in the courts of some Muslim caliphs, serving as translators, physicians, and architects.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

The Quran mentions twenty-five prophets by name-of whom five are given the honorary title of ‘the Messengers of Firm Resolve,’ namely Abraham, Noah, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. The Quran (12: 11) says, “In their stories there is truly a lesson for people of reason.” Some of the most common names in the Muslim world include Isa (Jesus), Musa (Moses), Mariam (Mary), Yusuf (Joseph), and Ibrahim (Abraham). Jesus is mentioned by name in the Quran twenty-five times, Mary thirty-one times (compared to eighteen times in the Bible), whereas Prophet Muhammad is mentioned by name only four times. Chapter 19 of the Quran is named after Mary. Muslims believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Messiah. They also believe in his virgin birth, ascension, and second coming.

source: The clear Quran by Dr. Mustafa Khattab

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To be filled …