“Sharia” means “the way,” which refers to Islam’s legal system. The Sharia Law is derived from the Holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammed, and it contains laws that address spiritual beliefs, human behaviour, and societal conduct. Countries with Muslims and non-Muslims practice Sharia Law.
All human actions in Sharia law are regulated. These actions are categorised into disliked, obligatory, or recommended. Obligatory actions are compulsory. Recommended actions are expected to be carried out but necessarily required. For disliked actions, they are looked down upon but not totally forbidden.
There are three types of Islamic law systems:
1. Classical
Countries practicing the classical model of Islamic law use it as their common law.
2. Mixed
Countries adhering to the mixed system incorporate Sharia law into their common law.
3. Secular
Countries that practice the secular system don’t incorporate Islamic law into the country’s law, regardless of whether the majority and minority of their population are Muslims or not.
These countries use Sharia Law, as found in a TBS report.
1. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of the top countries using Sharia law. The laws in the country are solely Sharia. Hudud, a punishment carried out in public, is mainly for serious crimes such as theft, murder, and adultery. The penalties are beheading and amputation. Homosexuality is highly forbidden in Saudi Arabia; it can lead to imprisonment, flogging, or execution.
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2. Iraq
Iraq is another country that uses Sharia law. The legal system is more of civil law, Sunni and Jafari interpretations of Sharia. Constitutionally, the country is described as an Islamic Republic. Anything that contradicts the Constitution is considered void.
3. Iran
The legal system in Iran is based on Sharia and civil law. Different types of punishment are used for offenders, such as amputations, flogging, and forced blinding.
4. Malaysia
Malaysia operates a dual legal system comprising Islamic and civil courts. Sharia laws are imposed on all Muslims, and they are tried based on that. Non-Muslims follow secular laws.
5. Brunei
Brunei is a country ruled by a monarchical system. It was the first country in Southeast Asia to impose extreme Sharia law in 2019, but some punishments were later excluded (after criticism), such as death by stoning for adultery and gay sex.
6. Indonesia
The Ache region of Indonesia is the only province that uses Sharia law. There are punishments like flogging for gay sex, consuming alcohol, and adultery.
7. Sudan
Islamic law was adopted in Sudan in 1983. Immoral behaviour attracts flogging and death by stoning remains in the book of law but has not been implemented in decades.
8. Pakistan
Pakistan Islamic law covers property crimes, drinking of alcohol, adultery, false accusations, and carrying drugs. The Sharia court is similar to the British-based penalty code.
9. Nigeria
In Nigeria, not all states have adopted Sharia law. About twelve states out of thirty-six apply it for criminal cases. The court can order amputations, but few have been carried out.
10. Qatar
In Qatar, the death penalty is issued when a woman commits adultery with a non-Muslim man. Also, flogging is used for different sexual relations offences and taking alcohol. But sincerely, capital punishment is used in rare murder cases.
