Sharia Flashcards
Who were the Ulamah?
The religious scholars who have interpreted the Qur’an and the hadith and come up with a complex system of legalistic laws that form the basis of sharia
What did Muhammad do in Medina?
Made Medina an Ummah and he was a statesman and a prophet. This meant that from the start Islam was concerned with rules and regulations about how to live.
What does Sharia mean?
“a clear, straight path”
What are the main sources of law?
The Qur’an and the Sunna
What is the strength of the Qur’an?
It is the word of god and sets out everything a Muslim needs to know about how to live their life.
What is the issue with the Qur’an?
Doesn’t cover everything as it is not a book of laws. This means Muslims have to refer to other sources including the Prophetic Sunna.
What is the strength of the Sunna?
As Muhammad was the final prophet of Islam then he is the final example of how a perfect human being should live their life and his actions therefore should be a part of sharia.
How do Muslims view the Sunna?
Consider it to be divinely inspired but it is problematic as a source of law because it could be made up of later fabrications.
How does Joseph Schacht criticise the Hadiths?
Shows how the chain of transmission written prior to a hadith could have been added later to make them appear more authentic
What does Schacht say?
“The more perfect the Isnad the later the traditions”
What is the other issue with the traditions?
Gathered in the ninth century, purposely chosen with the aim of creating a sense of Islamic orthodoxy. Some Hadith contradict each other and the Qur’an.
What non Scripture is sharia based on?
Ijma, ijtihad, Qiyas, Taqlid
What is the Ijma?
Scholarly consensus on the points of law. It was through this that the schools of law were formed.
What is Ijtihad?
The human interpretative effort of Islamic law (fiqh). Comes from Jihad which means to struggle. It is the struggle to find answers and solutions to issues that have no easy answer from the Qur’an, Hadith and Sunnah.
What example suggests the Prophet supported Ijtihad?
“But when a Prophet asked if he could not find it in the Sunnah also, Ma’adh asked ‘I will exert myself to find the solution.’ The prophet thereupon patted him on his back and told him it was right”
