Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sharia Law is a legal system derived from the religious precepts of Islam, specifically the Quran and Hadith. It governs both public and private aspects of life for Muslims, including rituals, family life, business conduct, and crimes.
Related terms
Quran: The holy book of Islam, considered by Muslims to be the word of God as revealed to Prophet Muhammad.
Hadith: Collections of sayings, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammad that serve as guidance for living out the teachings found in the Quran.
Fiqh: Islamic jurisprudence; the human understanding and practices derived from the Quran and Hadith used to interpret and apply Sharia principles to everyday life