---
title: "Sharia Law — AP Comp Gov Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Sharia law is Islamic religious law drawn from the Quran and Hadiths. In AP Comp Gov, it anchors Iran's theocratic judiciary and Nigeria's federal-state tensions."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/sharia-law"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Comparative Government"
---

# Sharia Law — AP Comp Gov Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Sharia law is an Islamic legal system derived from religious texts such as the Quran and Hadiths. It governs various aspects of personal conduct, family matters, criminal justice, and economic transactions according to Islamic principles.

## Related Study Guides

- [3.8 Political and Social Cleavages](/ap-comp-gov/unit-3/political-social-cleavages/study-guide/3F6Q77Ww8izUo8Dbk6yb)
- [1.7 Federal and Unitary Systems](/ap-comp-gov/unit-1/federal-unitary-systems/study-guide/3sY6Ctyip5PBEFeWkvl3)
- [3.2 Political Culture](/ap-comp-gov/unit-3/political-culture/study-guide/EBRuRGygqOS3skxhsNjf)
- [1.5 Sources of and Changes in Power and Authority](/ap-comp-gov/unit-1/sources-power-authority/study-guide/HAHdQvILHepxouwGUSXm)
- [2.8 Judicial Systems](/ap-comp-gov/unit-2/judicial-systems/study-guide/b0arKXztb9ubeaa2Zm66)
- [2.6 Legislative Systems](/ap-comp-gov/unit-2/legislative-systems/study-guide/jVV3UhFXUHIa31HAvINr)
- [3.9 Challenges of Political and Social Cleavages](/ap-comp-gov/unit-3/challenges-political-social-cleavages/study-guide/zZOMBhLRH6wtjkf9qpH0)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Theocracy](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/theocracy): A theocracy is a form of government where religious leaders hold both political and religious authority, and laws are based on religious principles.
- [Secularism](/ap-comp-gov/key-terms/secularism): Secularism refers to the separation of religion and state, where government institutions remain neutral in matters of religion and do not favor any particular faith.
- Blasphemy: Blasphemy is the act of showing disrespect or contempt towards sacred or religious beliefs, often considered a crime under Sharia law.