What does Shari'ah mean?
The path Allah laid down: the whole body of guidance in the Quran and Sunnah.
Shari'ah explained
Shari'ah literally means the way to water. It includes belief, worship, character and law together; fiqh is the scholars' understanding of it. Its aims are the protection of religion, life, intellect, lineage and property.
Related terms
- Fiqhفِقْه
Islamic jurisprudence: the understanding of rulings drawn from the Quran and Sunnah.
- Maqasid ash-Shari'ahمَقَاصِد الشَّرِيعَة
The higher aims of Islamic law: preserving religion, life, intellect, lineage and wealth.
- Halalحَلَال
Permitted by Allah.
- Haramحَرَام
Forbidden by Allah; also, sacred and inviolable, as in al-Masjid al-Haram.
Questions about Shari'ah
What does Shari'ah mean?
Shari'ah (شَرِيعَة, Shari'ah) means: The path Allah laid down: the whole body of guidance in the Quran and Sunnah.
How is Shari'ah written and pronounced in Arabic?
It is written شَرِيعَة and pronounced Shari'ah. It is also spelled Sharia, Islamic law.
Where does Shari'ah come from in the Quran or hadith?
Shari'ah literally means the way to water. It includes belief, worship, character and law together; fiqh is the scholars' understanding of it. Its aims are the protection of religion, life, intellect, lineage and property. Source: Al-Jathiyah 45:18.
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