RUNING HEAD: HOW DOES SHARIA LAW AFFECT THE SOCIETY?

How Does Sharia Law Affect The Society?

Khalidah Al Sharief

Dar Al Hekma College

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How Does Sharia Law Affect Our Society?

Law acts as a guideline as to what is accepted from each person in the society. Law is

important because it controls the country and it protects the citizen rights. Without law there

would be a conflict between everyone. Saudi Arabia’s legal system is based on Sharia law that

comes from the holy Qur’an, the Sunnah (the traditions) of Prophet Mohammed peace be upon

him, consensus (Ejmaa), and analogy (Qiyas).According to Rashid (2011) there are five main

branches covered by Sharia: Behavior, Worship, Beliefs, transactions, and punishments. These

branches combined will help to create a society based on justice, equality and balance for each

member of the society. Muslims value Shariah more than they value man-made law; however,

what if the law is derived from Shariah, how will it affect people and society? It can be said that

Shariah has a huge impact on society where it affects both the economic status of women, and

also affects businesses of all sorts.

Women are the most important part of society. She is the wife, the mother, and the one

who is raising generations. However, Long (2003) reported the family structure as follows:

The structure of Saudi families are traditionally patriarchal, with the male being the head

of the household and in charge of duties that are usually found outside the household

such as protecting and providing for his family. Family identity is also tied to the father

and he, therefore has custody of the children should the question arise (para.2).

As Long stated the family structure, men have obligations to their families, but women is the

main part of the family. She plays a vital role in the house, for example, managing the house and

taking care of the children.As long (2003) stated that in Saudi Arabia, “the role of women is

basicallyto maintain the structure of the family and therefore of society “(para.3).Islamic law can

affect women in many aspects such as economic aspects. According to Badawi (1971), Shariah
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gives the right for the women to have their independent ownership. The Islamic Law recognizes

the full property rights of women .They may sell, buy, or rent any or all of their properties as

well as establishing their own business, and forming companies. For example,Muslim women

after marriage keep their family names, as a sign of their independent property rights as legal

entities isolated from their father, husband and son's wealth. Another aspect on women is

thefinancial security and inheritance rules, as he mentioned. One of their rights is to receive

marriage gifts and keep their properties and money for their own security, even after marriage. In

addition, married women are not required to spend their money on her house. A woman must

befinancially supported by her husband during marriage and during the Iddah(waiting period in

case of divorce or widowhood). A woman who has children is entitled to child support from the

child’s father. Generally, a Muslim woman is being supported in all stages of her life, as a

daughter, wife, sister or mother. Women generally have financial advantages more than men in

marriage and in family.

In contrast, as Badawi (1971) stated that the laws of inheritance gave the male more than

the female. However, males are financially responsible for their female relations. That is why

God stated that male takes twice the inheritance of a female. Females inherit less but retain their

share in financial protection and investments, without any legal responsibility to spend any part

of it, even for their own needs (food, clothing, accommodation, medication, etc). The third aspect

of Islamic law that impactson women is women as employees: the essential job for women

regards their role in society as a mother and a wife. It is reallya noble and avery important role,

which builds the future of society. However, Islamdid not prevent women from working

whenever there is a necessity for work, especially in positions which fit the nature of their body,

and in which society needs her. For instance, these jobs may be nursing, teaching, medicine,
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and charitable work (Badawi, 1971). This is how Sharia law made it balanced between men and

women in many different aspects.

In addition, Islamiclaw affects business in many ways. One of the most important ways is

the impact of Islamic law in Islamic banking and finance. Using Islamic banking and finance in

the country will develop the economy of the country, and will decrease the dispute issues of

banking and finance.Islam is a complete way of life and living,and Allah guides us in all parts of

our lives. Islamic law has given detailed rules for our economic life, which is balanced and fair

for all parties. Dodge points out that Muslims must believe that wealth, properties and goods are

the God’s property, and they must take care of it. The principles of Sharia aim areto build a

society wherein everyone will behave accordingly and being responsible and honest. Thebasic

principles of the Islamic financial system are as follows: Muslims are not to deal in benefit and

interest. As God says :"O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied,

but fear Allah that you may be successful"( Al Imran 3:130).Thisprevention is for all interest-

based contracts whether gives or receives, deals with Muslims or non-Muslims.Prophet

Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have cursed everyone who pay interests and

those who receive it, who write a contract based on it and even those who witness such a

contract (2009).

According to Dodge (2009),it is forbidden under Islamic law to gain property or wealth

byfalse ways such as fraud, theft, or deceit. IslamForbidsincomes from gambling, and those

whoproduce, sell or sharealcohol. Muslims should be responsible in spending money and God

will ask them where they spent their money. Wasting money is strongly disliked.One of the main

aspects in Islam is paying Zakat (alms) Every Muslim who owns wealth, must pay a fixed rate of

Zakat to those who need it.She also said that Zakat is a way of narrowing the gapbetween the
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rich and the poor people, and to meet everyone’s needs. Finally, Islamic law encourages

Muslims to give charity constantly .The Prophet Muhammad once said that "nobody's assets are

reduced by charity”. This is how Sharia principlesaffect the society and make it better. However,

Islamic banking and finance protect the rights of the parties of the contract in a fair way. This is

why our society economic system is balanced and there is not that much issue in contrast with

other countries that do not follow the Islamic economic system.

In conclusion, there are lots of things that can affect the societies. However, Islamic law

affects the society in a positive way that saves the rights for each person. The most impacted

aspects in Sharia law are women and business. Woman is always weak and that is why Islamic

law gives her a lot of rights to be able to protect her self. Business is also influenced by the

Islamic economic system, using an Islamic banking and finance system which solves a lot of

issues in the financial system. Moreover, God made the rules of the system to build a just society

accordingly.
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References

Dodge, H. (2009). The everything understanding Islam Book: A complete guide to Muslim

beliefs, practices, and culture (2nded.).Avon Massachusetts: Adams Media.

Rashid, Q. (2011).The five things every non-muslim (and muslim) should know. Retrieved from

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Long, D. (2003).The role of the extended family in Saudi Arabia.Retrieved from

http://www.saudi-amercian-fourm.org

Badawi, J. (1971).The status of women in Islam and gender equity in Islam.The Status of Women

in Islam, 8, 1-16.