Year 7 Religious Studies · Unit 6 · Lesson 4 of 6

Shariah — Islamic Law

Exploring how Islamic law guides Muslim life, belief, and practice

In this lesson you will: Understand what Shariah is and its sources; explore the five categories of action in Islam; learn about halal and haram in daily life; understand zakah as obligatory charity; challenge misconceptions about Islamic law.

What Do You Remember?

                From Lesson 31 (How Do We Know What's Right?):

                What are sources of moral authority? What is the difference between absolute and relative morality?

                From Lesson 27 (Christian Afterlife):

                How does belief in accountability after death affect ethics? How might Muslims view judgment differently than Christians?

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Starting Question

In Islam, the law covers what you eat, wear, how you do business, how you pray, who you can marry, and much more. Some Muslims see this as beautiful guidance. Others see it as oppressive control. What's your instinct? Why?

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For Muslims, Shariah is not oppression—it's the path to a good life and God's blessing.

Key Terms: Islamic Law and Practice

Shariah: Islamic law; literally means "the path to water" (the path to life); the comprehensive guidance for how Muslims should live

Qur'an: The primary source of Shariah; God's direct revelation to Muhammad; considered perfect and literal word of Allah

Hadith: Recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad; used to interpret Qur'an and guide Muslim practice

Ijma: Scholarly consensus; when Islamic scholars agree on an interpretation, it becomes authoritative

Qiyas: Reasoning by analogy; applying principles from the Qur'an and Hadith to new situations not explicitly mentioned

Halal: Permissible; lawful; allowed in Islam

Haram: Forbidden; prohibited in Islam; sinful to do

Zakah: Obligatory charity; 2.5% of savings given to the poor; one of the Five Pillars

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The Sources of Shariah: Where Does Islamic Law Come From?

1. Qur'an

The primary source. Contains 500+ laws covering prayer, family, finance, food, warfare, justice, and more.

2. Hadith

Muhammad's example and teachings. If the Qur'an doesn't address something, scholars look to what Muhammad did or said.

3. Ijma

When scholars agree on interpretation. This consensus becomes binding on the Muslim community.

4. Qiyas

Reasoning. Scholars apply established principles to new situations using logic (e.g., if something is haram, something similar is also haram).

Five Categories of Action in Islam

1. Fard (Obligatory)

Required; you earn reward for doing it, punishment for not doing it. Examples: the Five Pillars (prayer, zakat, fasting, pilgrimage, shahada), obeying parents, honesty.

2. Mustahabb (Recommended)

Encouraged but not required. You earn reward for doing it, but don't sin if you don't. Example: extra prayers, giving more charity than required, showing kindness.

3. Mubah (Permissible)

Neither required nor discouraged. Neutral. Example: eating different foods, wearing different styles of clothes, choosing a career.

4. Makruh (Discouraged)

Not forbidden but disliked. You don't sin for doing it, but it's better to avoid. Example: eating lots of garlic before prayer, wearing clothing associated with showing off.

5. Haram (Forbidden)

Prohibited; sinful to do. Examples: alcohol, pork, lying, theft, murder, interest on loans (riba).

Halal and Haram: These categories appear in daily Islamic practice. Food can be halal (slaughtered according to Islamic rules, not pork) or haram. Money can be halal (earned honestly) or haram (from fraud, gambling, or interest). Even greetings and behaviour are classified: gentle speech is mustahabb, cruelty is haram.

Zakah: Obligatory Charity

Unlike Christian charity, zakah is NOT optional. It's a tax and a duty. After a year of owning wealth, Muslims give 2.5% to the poor. This is one of the Five Pillars—foundational to Islam.

Why Zakah Matters

Zakah teaches that wealth is a trust from God. You're a steward, not an owner. The poor have a RIGHT to your wealth; you have a DUTY to give. This difference from "charity" is huge: it removes shame from receiving and makes giving an obligation, not an act of pity.

How Shariah Works in Practice

Example 1: Dietary Laws (Halal)

Meat must be slaughtered in Allah's name with specific words and methods. This isn't just tradition—it honours God and treats animals respectfully. Pork is haram. Alcohol is haram. These rules shape daily life, food choices, and social interaction.

Example 2: Financial Ethics

Riba (interest on loans) is forbidden. This prevented exploitation: you can't charge poor people extra because they need a loan. Islamic finance developed alternatives like partnership (Mudaraba) where profit is shared fairly, not extracted as interest.

Example 3: Modesty (Hijab)

Both men and women are commanded to dress modestly. For women, this often includes the hijab. It's about dignity and reducing objectification. Not all Muslim women wear hijab the same way; interpretation varies. Some see it as freedom from being judged on appearance.

Example 4: Family and Marriage

Marriage is a contract and spiritual bond. Men have financial responsibility for their families. Women retain property rights and control of their mahr (dower). Divorce exists but is discouraged. These laws protect family stability and women's economic rights.

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Breaking Misconceptions About Shariah

                Misconception 1: "Shariah is medieval and oppressive."

                Reality: Islamic law evolved over 1,400 years. Modern Muslim scholars interpret it for contemporary life. Yes, historical applications have been oppressive (like any legal system), but Shariah itself emphasizes justice, protection of the vulnerable, and human dignity. Women had legal rights under Islamic law long before Western women did.

                Misconception 2: "All Muslims practice Shariah the same way."

                Reality: There's huge diversity. Different schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) interpret law differently. A Muslim in Indonesia practices differently from one in Saudi Arabia. Individual interpretation varies. Shariah is living and develops.

                Misconception 3: "Shariah means extreme punishments."

                Reality: Hudud (fixed punishments) apply only in very specific situations with very high standards of proof. They're rare. Most Islamic jurisprudence focuses on contract law, family law, and ethics—like any legal system. Modern Muslim countries use varied legal codes.

                Misconception 4: "Muslims in non-Muslim countries can't follow Shariah."

                Reality: Muslims adapt. They follow Shariah in personal matters (prayer, diet, family), while also respecting host country laws. This isn't compromise—Islamic jurisprudence allows for necessity and adaptation.

Discussion Questions

Choose at least TWO and write 3-4 sentences for each.

Question 1: Is making charity obligatory better than making it voluntary?

Zakah makes charity a duty, not optional generosity. Does this remove the moral virtue from giving? Or does it ensure poor people are cared for? Which approach is more ethical?

Question 2: Can Shariah adapt to modern contexts?

Islamic law was developed for 7th-century Arabia. Can it address modern issues like internet privacy, artificial intelligence, or climate change? How should ancient law apply today?

Question 3: Does Islamic law respect human freedom?

If the law dictates what you eat, wear, and how you worship, is there freedom? Or does law-based guidance actually enable freedom by removing uncertainty?

Question 4: How should Muslims balance Shariah with secular laws?

In non-Muslim countries, Islamic law sometimes conflicts with national law (e.g., dress codes, inheritance). How should Muslims navigate this? Can they follow both?

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Writing Task: Shariah and Daily Life

Explain how Shariah (through either halal/haram categories, zakah, or another example) shapes how Muslims live daily lives. Show how Islamic law is about more than just rules—it reflects values like justice, honesty, and compassion. Write at least 100 words.

Word count: 0 (Target: 100+)

Remember: Show HOW the law shapes daily choices and WHY Muslims see it as beneficial, not oppressive.

The Big Question

"Religious law that covers all of life is a form of control, not guidance."

Do you agree or disagree? Explore both sides.

Arguments FOR (It's controlling):

Laws that dictate what you wear, eat, and do limit personal freedom and choice.
If authorities enforce law harshly, it becomes oppressive control rather than guidance.
People should be free to make their own moral choices without law dictating every action.
Religious law can be used to justify discrimination or abuse in the name of tradition.

Arguments AGAINST (It's guidance):

Muslims experience law as liberating, not controlling. It removes uncertainty and provides direction.
All law limits freedom; secular law also dictates behaviour. The question is whose values are being expressed.
Rules that protect the vulnerable (poor, women, animals) are ethical, even if they limit individual choice.
Following law with understanding can be spiritually fulfilling and ethically sound, not oppressive.

                Your turn: Write 4-5 sentences on this debate. Can detailed law be both limiting AND liberating? When is law unjust?
            

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Quick-Fire Recall Mix

Q1: What are the four sources of Shariah? (Today)

Qur'an, Hadith, Ijma (scholarly consensus), Qiyas (reasoning by analogy)

Q2: What are the five categories of action in Islam? (Today)

Fard (obligatory), Mustahabb (recommended), Mubah (permissible), Makruh (discouraged), Haram (forbidden)

Q3: What is zakah and why is it important? (Today)

Obligatory charity—2.5% of savings given to the poor; one of the Five Pillars; makes giving a duty, not optional

Q4: What does "halal" mean? (Today)

Permissible; lawful in Islam. Applies to food, behaviour, money, and all actions.

Challenge: 90-Second Recall

Write down:

Four sources of Shariah
Five categories of action (Fard through Haram)
What Shariah literally means
One misconception about Islamic law and the reality

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What Can You Do Now?

I can explain what Shariah is and why it matters to Muslims.

I can name the four sources of Islamic law.

I can explain the five categories of action in Islam.

I understand what halal and haram mean in daily Islamic life.

I can explain what zakah is and why it's important.

I can counter at least two misconceptions about Shariah with factual information.

Reflection

Did this lesson change your understanding of Islamic law? What surprised you?

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