What Is "Shariah Law?"

You've heard the term used so many times—here's what you need to know

This is an actual email I received from what I can only assume is a real live person. There’s a lot to unpack here, but I’m sharing it with you to warn about the impending threat of Shakira law on Americans. And while I can promise I personally will never push Shakira law on Americans, especially in our schools, the fact is, hips don’t lie.

In the meantime, what is “Shariah Law” anyway? As I wrote in my flagship human rights newsletter, with the election win of Zohran Mamdani, anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia is skyrocketing. In the coming months you will no doubt hear about the “dangers” of “Shariah Law.” To help arm you with the knowledge to wage an intellectual Jihad of the Pen against that fear mongering and disinformation, I’ve written this piece below on what Shariah is, and is not. Feel free to share your questions in the comments and I will do my best to answer them.

1. What does Shariah mean?

Shariah is the law of the Qur'an and literally means "A path to life giving water." In fact, the word Yarrah (i.e. the root of the Hebrew word Torah) means precisely the same thing. Therefore, Shariah is actually ingrained in Abrahamic tradition. Also, since the word Shariah means “law” in general terms, saying “Shariah Law” means “law law.” It’s like people who say “Chai Tea.” Y’all, chai means tea. But I digress. Back to the point at hand. Shariah is comprised of five main branches:

1. adab (behavior, morals and manners)

2. ibadah (ritual worship)

3. i'tiqadat (beliefs)

4. mu'amalat (transactions and contracts), and

5. 'uqubat (punishments).

These branches combine to create a society based on justice, pluralism and equity for every member of that society. Furthermore, Shariah forbids that it be imposed on any unwilling person. Islam's founder, Prophet Muhammad, demonstrated that Shariah may only be applied if people willingly apply it to themselves—never through forced government implementation. Thus Islamic Shariah specifically rejects theocracy.

Additionally, the Qur'an does not promote any specific form of government, but requires that the form people choose must be based on adl or "absolute justice." The Qur'an says, "Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency and manifest evil and transgression. He admonishes you that you may take heed" (16:91). Notice, religious preference is never mentioned. Therefore, in ruling with absolute justice, for example, the righteous Jewish King Solomon ruled as a just monarch based on this fundamental principle of Shariah Law—justice.

2. Do Muslims want Shariah to rule America?

No. Remember, the Qur'an teaches that religion must not be a matter of the state. Shariah is a personal relationship with God. Prophet Muhammad, even as the de facto ruler of Arabia, wrote the Charter of Medina in which Muslims were held to Shariah, and Jews to the Law of the Torah. Not a single non-Muslim was held to Shariah because Shariah itself forbids compulsion. The Qur'an clearly says, "There is no compulsion in religion" (2:257). Furthermore, Shariah obliges Muslims to be loyal to their nation of residence. Therefore, American Muslims must adhere to the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

3. If Muslims don't want Shariah to rule America, then so what if it's banned?

First, Shariah is a personal relationship between a Muslim and God. The First Amendment forbids Congress from passing laws that restrict the free exercise of religion—particularly private exercise.

Second, if Shariah was banned, then American Muslims could not marry, inherit, write wills or choose to divorce per Islamic guidelines. If similar restrictions were imposed for other faith groups, then no Minister could conduct a marriage ceremony, no Catholic Bishop could read the last rites and no Rabbi could perform circumcision on an infant male Jewish child--because these are all Judeo-Christian religious laws.

Finally, even within our current legal system, American Jews regularly resolve civil matters through rabbinical courts known as beit din. American Muslims simply want to enjoy their same constitutionally guaranteed right.

4. What does Shariah say about other religions?

Shariah champions absolute freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. For example, the Qur'an goes as far as to oblige Muslims to fight on behalf of Jews, Christians and people of other faiths and to protect their churches, synagogues and temples from attack. (22:41) Furthermore, Shariah holds that to be a Muslim, a person must testify to the truth of all past prophets, including Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Krishna, and Buddha—and must respect their adherents.

When Prophet Muhammad peacefully became the ruler of Arabia, his primary condition for non-Muslims (and Muslims) to reside in Arabia was that they allow all people of all faiths—be they Jews, Christians, Muslims or idol worshipers—to worship in peace and without oppression. Under secular governance, this is not only possible but protected, as it ensures universal freedom of conscience for people of all faiths and no faith.

5. What about countries that oppress people and claim they follow Shariah?

Such countries have ignored the fundamental tenet of justice inherent in Islamic Shariah, and have instead used Shariah as an excuse to gain power and sanction religious extremism. To be sure, not a single example of a "Shariah compliant" country exists. In fact, the most "Muslim country" in the world is likely America, because America guarantees freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of thought—all hallmarks of IslamicShariah. Those nations that oppress in the name of Shariah are as justified in their claims, as “Christian” enslavers who claimed their right to enslave Black people was based on the Bible.

As for the “violent” verses from the Qur'an that are cited by extremists and critics alike—honest legal interpretation abhors quoting an excerpt as a means to understand the full law. Expect a more detailed article from me in the near future addressing these alleged “violent” verses. In sum, Islamic Shariah guides a Muslim's personal relationship with God, just as the Old and New Testaments guide Jews and Christians in their personal relationships with God.

These paths to life-giving water are nothing to fear.

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read this short essay. If nothing else, I hope it serves as a reminder that fear and ignorance are often louder than truth—but that doesn’t make them right. The truth is, Shariah—like Torah and Gospel law—is deeply personal. It is not a political agenda or a looming threat. It is a spiritual path rooted in our humanity, justice, compassion, and humility. And as history shows, weaponizing someone’s faith for political gain is nothing new—but it’s always dangerous.

So when bigots smear Shariah to stoke fear, they’re not just attacking Muslims—they’re undermining religious freedom for everyone. That’s why it is critical we all stand united against this form of religious discrimination. And that’s why I ask you to join me—not in fear, but in solidarity. Share this with someone who may need it. And if you’re able, become a subscriber to support our work dismantling disinformation and building bridges of truth.

We’ve got work to do. Let’s get to it.