Sharia laws or Islamic laws are the Religious laws that form Islamic Traditions and their principles as well. Sharia law in Arabic means “the way” Mostly, it is derived from the Quran (Holy Book), Sunnah (Practice of Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon Him) and his (PBUH) sayings. The word Islamic is derived from an Arabic word “Islam” which means Submission or Surrender.
The law is according to the Muslim faith and as interpreted from the Quran and Sunnah is known as Islamic law. Islam promotes justice in court, justice in dealing with each other, justice to family members, and justice with oneself. On top of the necessities that Islamic Law came to preserve and protect his religion. However, Islamic Law makes sure intellect is a source of benefit to society. It promotes education for all and makes it a right for everyone.
The term Quran is used in two meanings, to read and a thing which is read. Quran was revealed in about 23 years. The Makkan Period contains short suras, which are generally addressed to all human beings and contains the basics of Islam. The Madni Period contains long suras, their address is Muslims and they formulate rules about different laws.
The first and foremost purpose of the Holy Quran is to lay down a way of life which regulates the relationship of man with man, and with God. Also, Quran Says, that: “And we have shown him two ways (right and wrong)”. The type of guidance which the Muslims needed at Medina was not the same as they had needed in Makkah. That is why; the Madni suras differ in character from those revealed in Mecca. The Makkah suras are smaller in size and generally deal with basic beliefs of Islam. They provide guidance to an individual’s soul. On the other hand, Madni suras have laws relating to civil, criminal, social and political problems of society.
They provide guidance to a social and political community. Most of the verses which embody rules of law were revealed to settled questions that actually arose for decision e.g. Some describe prayers and devotions, some regarding family matters including marriage, dowry and divorce, some regarding international affairs like treaty and war. Quran is basically a book of guidance. It is the Islamic sacred book, believed to be the word of Allah as dictated to Muhammad (PBUH) by the Angel Gabriel and written down in Arabic. The Quran consists of 114 units of varying lengths, known as Surahs. Quran is divided into 30 Juz/paras for ease of reading. Well, Quran is the first source of Islamic Law from where code of conduct, principles, rules and regulations and the laws took place.
Generally, people believe that the terms of Hadiths and Sunnah connote the same meanings; they regard generally the percepts of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) as Hadith or Sunnah. This concept is not altogether correct. Hadith means which is narrated hence it is sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). While, Sunnah, means a path or the way i.e. manner of the Life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The most important thing is that Sunnah comes after the Quran as a source of Islamic Law and no other method or source comes in between them. As the Quran states, “And come to you from Allah, the Light Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the Book. Sunnah is a wider word having three elements and hadith is one out of those three.
After the Death of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), only Hadith was collected and Sunnah never collected.
Although Sunnah is classified into Qawlia, Failia and Taqreeria and Hadith into many like Mutwatir etc. yet, we can classify traditions in different heads. Sunnah is the body of traditional social and legal custom and practice of the Islamic community, based on the verbally transmitted record of the teachings, deeds and sayings, silent permissions (or disapprovals) of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Sunnah is a kind of practice by the Holy Prophet. According to Quran some verses like, “And he does not speak of his own desires, it is all revelled on him” (Sura al Najam 3) and “He who obeys the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) obeys Allah” (Surah Nisa 80). During the time of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon Him), the Quran and Sunnah were only the sources of Islamic law.
Likewise, Hadith is based on Islamic law. Well, hadith and Sunnah both are interconnected to each other.
Hadith is the sayings of Holy Prophet (peace be upon Him) and Sunnah is the Actions of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) which He (SAW) did. So, in this way, some part of the Islamic law is based on the Hadith.
(Habits of Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him). There are some exceptional cases where different Hadiths and caliphs (Hazrat Abubakar R.A, Umar R.A, Usman R.A and Hazrat Ali R.A) decided something and it became a part of Islamic law. The body of hadith provide more detailed and practical legal guidance, but it was recognized early on that not all of them were authentic.
Previous Islamic scholars developed a methodology for evaluating their accuracy by assessing the trustworthiness of the individuals listed in their transmission chains. In order to establish the authenticity of a particular Hadith or report, it had to be checked by following the chain of transmission (Thus the reporters had to cite their reference, and their reference’s reference all the way back to Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). All the references in the chain had to have a reputation for honesty and possessing a good retentive memory. And that is how the hadith is a part of Islamic law.
From the above facts, it is cleared that the Hadith, Sunnah and the Quran are based on Islamic Law. Without these relevant sources, Islamic law does not exist.
The writer is a Final Year Law student at the University of Lahore. He can be reached at muhammadzamanbutt666@gmail.com
