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Shari'a Law 

Regarding the question of Shari'a Law, this has become another misconception, but simply means religious ruling on certain matters found in the scriptures.  These rulings mostly regulate and organize the relationship between the people and their conduct to ensure and protect the right of the individual, the family and the society at large. However, the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Last Testament (the Qur'an) are fairly consistent with each others, and offer very similar rulings. The Qur'an, however, offers more in-depth details, and on many subjects, more flexibility and tolerance. 

In the Old Testament, if someone curses his parents, or engages in adultery, or is homosexual, then his punishment is the death sentence on all three accounts. In the Qur'an, it deals with these three examples in a much more comprehensive way, and there is either no such punishment, or different systems to address such problems.  For example - cursing parents: It is one of the major sins that God punish severely for it. If the judge found the person guilty of  mistreating or abusing one or both parents, the judge have the authority to implement a ruling that fits the violation based on the Quranic teaching and the teaching of the prophet and could range from jail to any other remedy the judge see fit.

The following verses from the Holy Quran details teaching toward ones parents:     

Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: "O my son! join not in worship (others) with God: for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing." (31:13)

And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal. (31:14)

"But if they strive to make thee join in worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge, obey them not; yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration), and follow the way of those who turn to me (in love): in the end the return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and meaning) of all that ye did." (31:15)

There are other matters where religious ruling (mandatory teaching) is only offered in Islam, here are two brief examples:

The rights of women to Inheritance - Prior to Islam, women were subjected to "Man made Laws" where they had no rights to inheritance, ownership of property and let alone voting or running for public office! In limited cases, inheritance was only permitted if there are no males in the family. Islam gave women the full right to own her property, inherent from her father, mother, husband and son and from other relative as it was explained in the books of inheritance in Islam. Women opinion were taken to consideration on many social and political issues and women have the full right to keep her own name and family heritage and to keep her faith in case of inter-marriages.   

The rights of women to marry, divorce, and re-marry - These rights were granted by Islam 1400 years ago.  See an entire segment on this site dedicated to this topic.

The obligation of the rich towards the poor, is not an option for the good heart people in the society or the good government to do or not to do; it is an obligation by the teaching of the Quran and the teaching of the prophet to take care of the unable and the week and the needy in the society. The economic system of Islam which is based on the third pillar of Islam called "Zakah" - see "Islamic Basics" segment for more details - is to provide a workable socio-economic system starting with uplifting close family members who need help, and a way to expand this circle throughout the entire society at large. The Zakah department is to insure the welfare and equitability of the society. In addition, these obligations are not a form of taxes, they are forms of worship and religious obligation, thus, it is a rewarded practices and socially responsible policies.   

We invite you to look into the basic teaching of Islam.  You will find here many articles that may offer some answers to your questions.

Staff Writer: MuslimBridges.org