Download Islam, ISIS and Jihad Session 6: The Global Mandate for Sharia Law

Islam, ISIS and Jihad
Session 6: The Global Mandate for Sharia Law
I.
Introduction to Sharia Law:
Sharia means "path" in Arabic. It guides all aspects of Muslim life including
daily routines, familial and religious obligations, and financial dealings. It is
derived primarily from the Quran and the Sunna and it is seen as guiding
both the governmental and religious systems of Islam.
A. Jihad Unto Sharia Law:
Global Sharia Law is the end goal so Jihad is all about taking territory in
order to establish Sharia Law across the Earth. It is the purpose of Allah
as revealed to Muhammad that the whole world submit to him and follow
his very harsh laws and worship him. This is of course the exact mandate
that we see the Antichrist will enact across the nations of the Earth.
B. Applying Global Jihad:
The result of course is that the establishment of Sharia Law is a
longstanding goal for Islamist movements in both Muslim nations and
those countries currently with a non-Muslim majority. Muhammad’s
followers are simply applying these principles. The below quotes come
form some of Islam’s greatest modern day scholars regarding the
application of Jihad.
“In the Muslim community, the holy war is a religious duty, because of the
universalism of the (Muslim) mission and (the obligation to) covert
everybody to Islam either by persuasion or by force. Therefore, the
caliphate (spiritual), the royal (government and military) authority are
united under Islam, so that the person in charge can devote the available
strength to both of them at the same time (Ibn Khaldun –The
Muqaddimah).”
“Islam is not a normal religion like the other religions in the world, and
Muslim nations are not like normal nations. Muslim nations are very
special because they have a command from Allah to rule the entire world
and to be over every nation in the world (Mawlana Sayid Abul Ala Mawdudi
– viewed as one of Islam’s greatest scholars).”
C. Interesting Role That Taqiyya Plays:
We need to understand the implications for us with lying being
permissible under Islam. So long as it helps the cause of Islam they can
tell us any version of Sharia Law that they want. The West has been
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presented a carefully packaged moderate Islam, and a version of Sharia
Law that is only a fraction of what is actually intended.
D. Outsider Perspective:
This session will focus on the reality and ramifications wherever Sharia
Law is established. I want us to look at each point in this session (some of
which are review) from the standpoint of a non-Muslim living under
Sharia conditions.
II.
Sharia Government:
Muslims see Sharia as the moral code and the religious law of their religion,
which they view its application as prophetic of what will come; it’s global
institution when the Mahdi comes. Adherence to Islamic law has been one of
the distinguishing characteristics of the Muslim faith throughout history and
through the centuries Muslims have fought many wars in order to have rights
over territories to instate Sharia as the governing force.
A. Sharia Courts:
Sharia Law is to be enacted and enforced by Islamic courts with Islamic
judges called qadis trying the cases. These courts are to include
instructions about how to handle crime, politics, economics, as well as
personal matters such as sexual intercourse, hygiene, diet, prayer, and
fasting. These courts rule includes making judgments over controversial
practices like female circumcision, adolescent marriages, polygamy and
gender-biased inheritance rules, all of which are condoned within Sharia
Law.
B. Varying Interpretations:
Different countries, societies and cultures have varying interpretations of
Sharia Law. For the faithful Muslim, who are often called fundamentalists
(conservative Islam), the teachings of the Quran are non-negotiable while
liberal or moderate Muslim groups disregard less agreeable or politically
incorrect teachings and often make the teachings symbolic. The
interpretation of the scriptures is key in knowing how to apply their
message. Groups that remain faithful to the Quran and Sunnah give no
place for the liberal practices that the moderates have adopted.
a. Islamic Orthodoxy:
The Hanbali school is known for following the most Orthodox form of
Islam. It is the type of orthodoxy embraced in Saudi Arabia, by the
Taliban and ISIS.
b. Muslim Liberals:
The Hanafi school however is known for being the most liberal and
the most focused on using reason and drawing analogies from the
Quran and Hadith. It is dominant among Sunnis in Central Asia, Egypt,
Pakistan and elsewhere.
C. Religion Led Government:
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As we mentioned briefly in the last session there is no distinction within
Islam between the government of Islam and the religion of Islam.
1. Groups pursuing separation:
While it may be that some Muslim groups seek to make or maintain
differentiation between the two that practice comes from extra
Islamic philosophies and not the Muslim faith proper defined by the
Quran. Many Muslims have found benefit in secular systems and even
some forms of secular government but the pursuit of such ideals come
from human reasoning over adherence to Islamic practice. In
Christianity we call this compromise.
2. Duty to establish Sharia:
When it becomes feasible Islam’s followers are to seek to establish
Islamic government wherever Muslims may live forming Muslim
culture by implementing both.
3. Example of Libya:
The African nation of Libya just saw the death of their long time
dictator, Moammer Gadhafi. Immediately following this the interim
leader of Libya, Mustafa Abdel Jalil formally declared that Sharia Law
would be Libya's “new principal law. Any law that violates Sharia is
null and void legally," he said, citing as an example the nation’s
current law on marriage which imposes restrictions on polygamy,
which is permitted in Islam. Abdel also announced the introduction of
Islamic banking in Libya in keeping with Sharia.
III.
Murder is Permissive:
As unthinkable as this may be to us with a western democratic mindset
Sharia Law advocates domestic violence in a number of ways. Under several
sets of circumstances murder is more than permissible, in fact in the below
situations it is required.
A. Honor Killings:
The “Prophet” Muhammad declared that Allah’s honor is greater than any
human’s. In Islam the honor of Islam is held in high regard as is the honor
that a Muslim family holds. If it is believed that a family member has
brought dishonor upon the family or on the community family members
are called to uphold their honor by killing the dishonorable members of
their family. Below are some reasons for “honor killings.”
1. Dressing in a manner unacceptable to the family or community.
2. Some have been murdered for becoming too westernized.
3. Wanting to terminate or prevent an arranged marriage.
4. Desiring to marry someone of their own choice.
5. Desiring a member of a social group deemed inappropriate.
6. Otherwise bringing dishonor to the Muslim family unit.
B. Conversion Killings:
As a part of “Honor Killings” the Quran dictates that those who leave
Islam are to be considered “Murtad” (apostates). It directs that all such
persons are to be killed by members of the Ummah.
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"Allah's Apostle said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has
the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be
shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who
commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam
(apostate) and leaves the Muslims (Sahih al-Bukhari, 9:83:17).”
"Whoever changed his (Islamic) religion, then kill him (Sahih al-Bukhari,
9:84:57)”
C. Death for Adultery:
Sharia Law also makes it clear that adultery is punishable by death
(Quran: Sura 4:15, 24:2); this encompasses a wide rage of sexual
misconduct; including a spouse committing adultery, anyone engaging in
heterosexual activity outside marriage as well as homosexual acts. In the
case that someone is caught or in some case merely suspected of
committing any of these breaches of sexual conduct both parties are to be
stoned to death.
IV.
Treatment of Women:
Women find themselves in a very difficult position in Muslim majority
nations because of the way that Sharia Law is written. There is a significant
lack of equality and oppression for women who are living under Sharia which
has long had the attention of the United Nations and various human rights
organizations. This section will describe some of the foundational problems
with Sharia that lead to such ill treatment of women.
A. Hell Consists Mostly of Women:
While it may be hard to believe, Muhammad claimed to have had divine
revelation that Hell was populated mostly by women. This is formative in
Islamic thought, it influences the various aspects of prejudice against
women.
“It was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) that women will form the majority of the people of Hell. It was
narrated from ‘Imraan ibn Husayn that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “I looked into...Hell and I saw that the majority of
its people are women (Al-Bukhaari, 3241; Muslim, 2737).”
B. Value of Women:
Under strict Sharia Law women cannot drive and they must be
completely covered in when out in public. They and are essentially under
the care and management of male relatives as they are deemed
incompetent to manage their own affairs. Women in general are seen as
having less value then men.
“Wives have the same rights as the husbands have on them in accordance
with the generally known principles. Of course, men are a degree above
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them in status (Quran: Sura 2:228 -Sayyid Abul A’La Maududi, The Meaning
of the Qur’an, vol. 1, p. 165).”
C. Women's Testimony:
The value of a woman is considered significantly lesser to the family and
to the culture. In court a woman’s testimony counts only half of that of a
man because of how Muslims view women’s intellect.
"Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a
woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said,
"This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind (Sahih Buhari Volume
3, Book 48, Number 826)."
D. Husbands May Beat their Wives.
In Islam a husband is allowed to beat his wife if she doesn’t do what he
asks and may continue to until she submits to him. There are seemingly
no boundaries or restrictions put on to what all this may apply and
therefore any area where the husband has asked his wife to do something
and she has not or has disobeyed him may warrant such a beating. It is
not seen as the first course of action but it is fully permissible when a wife
does not obey after instruction and possibly other forms of mistreatment
such as ignoring the and verbally berating them.
“Husbands should take full care of their wives, with [the bounties] God has
given to some more than others and with what they spend out of their own
money. Righteous wives are devout and guard what God would have them
guard in the husbands’ absence. If you fear high-handedness (arrogance or
pride or contempt) from your wives, remind them [of the teaching of God],
then ignore them when you go to bed, then hit them. If they obey you, you
have no right to act against them. God is most high and great (Quran: Sura
4:34).”
E. Coverings and Segregation:
A Muslim woman is recognized by her “veil” and her “chador,” (her robe
that covers the entire body). Women must where these because they are
seen as desirable sex objects for men and so must be secluded. And there
is strict “segregation of the sexes” outside of the home both. Male doctors
are forbidden to examine female patients and female students cannot
attend classes taught by male professors etc.
F. Polygamy:
Polygamy is still in force in Islam with allowance for up to 4 wives (Sura
4:3). Although Muhammad had 10, and King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia
had 300 wives in the early 1900s, 80% of Muslims have only one wife.
Home is believed to be the main place for the wife, she is to raise the
family and quietly keep the home.
1. Limited number of wives:
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The number of wives is limited to four (though Muhammad had 12),
woman however are permitted one husband.
2. Cart blanche divorce:
A husband may divorce his wife whenever he wants, even for
suspicion or wrong doing with no proof.
3. Women wishing to divorce:
A woman who wishes to be divorced needs the consent of her
husband. If he consents she has to pay back the dowry.
G. Regarding Sexual Immorality:
Wherever the Sharia practice of stoning adulterers is enacted statistics
show that far more women are stoned to death for adultery than men
even though it takes two parties to commit adultery. In fact it is so rare
that men would be punished at all for the act, that whenever a man is
punished it’s normally because of outside relational dynamics such as a
jealous husband or honor killing from a brother. Since the testimony of a
man is worth twice that of women, when a woman is in question about
immorality she is nearly always considered “guilty” while the man is let
free. The reasoning is that his testimony weighs twice as heavy as hers so
while both parties may have been guilty of immorality the man claims
that he was not involved and if there were no other witnesses (as is often
the case) then he is considered innocent. Even if the guilty women
identifies him he is still innocent because his testimony weighs twice as
heavy as hers.
H. Women are Targeted:
Honor killings are mostly directed against women and girls; the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that as many as 5,000
women and girls are killed by members of their own families each year
while the number of men is only a fraction of that number and is
inconclusive.
V.
Severe Penalty for Justice:
The issue of justice under Islam is viewed very differently than how we
perceive things in the West. The punishments assigned for the crimes that
follow are seen as divinely ordained and cannot be changed by human
reason.
A. Eye for Eye:
The Quran applies literal enactment of “eye for an eye” as part of Sharia
Law. Courts in nations where Sharia is in practiced have eyes plucked
out, teeth extracted, etc. as the legal retribution for crimes.
“And We ordained therein for them: Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose,
ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal. But if anyone remits
the retaliation by way of charity, it shall be for him an expiation (atoned
for). And whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such
are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) (Quran: Sura 5:45).”
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B. Theft:
The Quran actually commands that the hands of thieves should be cut off
as punishment for their crime.
“Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are male or female, as
punishment for what they have done—a deterrent from God: God is
almighty and wise. But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and makes
amends, God will accept his repentance: God is most forgiving and merciful
(Quran: Sura 5:38-39).”
C. Adultery:
Depending on where you are in the world the penalty for adulterers may
be 100 lashes or even being stoned to death. Albania, Bosnia and Turkey
still retain the death penalty on the books, but do not perform it officially
in practice. While Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, some
northern states of Nigeria and parts of Malaysia still practice a very strict
form of Sharia law and stone or beat those caught in adultery to death.
“The woman or man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of
them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the
religion of Allah, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a
group of the believers witness their punishment (Quran: Sura 24:2).”
D. Drinking Alcohol:
While the number of lashes or strikes was not specifically assigned 40 or
80 lashes has been the accepted punishment for those caught drinking
alcohol.
“The Prophet (was angry) and ordered all those who were present in the
house, to beat him (the drinker) (Bukhari, 6774-6775).”
E. Highway Robbery:
Under Islamic law highway robbery is defined as mugging, car jacking,
armed robbery and all such acts. These are punishable by imprisonment,
amputation or death, and by public crucifixion in serious cases.
F. Apostasy:
The death penalty is prescribed for those who commit apostasy and leave
Islam. Methods of execution for apostasy can include decapitation,
crucifixion, burning, strangling, drowning, impaling, and even flaying
(pealing back the skin). Apostates are denied a decent burial after their
deaths, and the Muslims who participate in killing them are promised an
eternal reward in paradise.
“Allah's Apostle said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has
the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be
shed except in three cases: In Qisas (punishment) for murder, a married
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person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts
from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims (Sahih al-Bukhari, 9:83:17).”
VI.
Islamic Banking:
Islamic banking and finance is a worldwide industry that modifies modern
business practices to conform to the rules of Sharia. Central to this field is
“riba,” the charging or payment of interest, which is banned under Islamic
law.
A. Avoiding Riba:
Clever twists have been applied to standard financial products like credit
cards, savings accounts, mortgages, loans, and even trust funds. These
policies bypass the interest based business models (both debt and
earnings) that we as Westerns are used to.
B. Recent Growth:
Muslims across the world are turning to Sharia-compliant services and
investments. Thus the Islamic banking world is growing with more than
300 institutions now spread over 51 countries. This includes the United
States through companies such as the Michigan-based University Bank.
C. Sharia-Compliant:
Compliance means that cooperating businesses are required to avoid
transactions related to things forbidden under Islam such as the sale of
weapons, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography and pork, and
investors are guaranteed that their money won't end up financing those
industries.
VII.
Sharia Law in the Muslim World:
Sharia looks differently across the nations for a number of reasons. One key
difference has to do with the amount of jurisdiction Sharia is permitted
under the government of a particular nation. This section will describe the
various ways that this can look. Currently, the minority circumstance is for a
government to grant full implementation of Sharia Law in a nation or region.
A. Dual Legal System:
Many majority Muslim countries have a dual system in which the
government is secular but Muslims can choose to bring family and
financial disputes to Sharia courts. Jurisdiction of these courts usually
includes marriage, divorce, inheritance, and guardianship. Countries
following a dual system, include Pakistan and Afghanistan. They have a
secular government but individuals can freely choose to bring certain
matters before the Sharia courts. Legal systems in these countries are
strongly influenced by Sharia but ultimately follow constitutions and
secular rules of law. These countries also hold democratic elections that
appoint politicians to make the laws free of religious influences.
B. Nations With Limited Sharia Influence:
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Muslim countries adhering to a secular form of government include
Tajikistan and Turkey. Turkey is viewed as the poster child for the
secular movement, described as successfully achieving “a balance
between Islam, democracy, secularism and modernity.” In these
countries Sharia influences local customs and is limited to personal and
family matters. Religious interference in politics and legal affairs is
prohibited.
C. Where Islam is the Official Religion:
In Muslim countries where Islam is the official religion listed in the
constitution, Sharia Law is the source of their laws. In these nations it is
forbidden to enact legislation that is in contradiction to Islam. Examples
of these nations include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen, and the
United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq where the
governments derive their legitimacy from Islam. With Saudi Arabia
employing one of the strictest interpretations of Sharia Law. There
women are not allowed to drive and are under the guardianship of male
relatives at all times, and must be completely covered in public.
D. Imagine Living Under Sharia Law:
Sharia is a very strict way of life with severe consequences. I invite you to
think about what living under Sharia might look like.
1. Driving through a Sharia Town:
Imagine the implications of driving through a town that operates
under Sharia Law while you are on a road trip. You could find
yourself in court because your teenager made a comment about a
Muslim woman’s hijab (traditional covering).
2. Expansion of Sharia territory:
America needs to understand that once we give an inch of government
to Islam they will take a mile. We can be sure. Expansion at all costs
is a core part of their belief system.
3. Impact on the Church:
The Church in every region of the Earth where Islamic Law is in
application is hindered from expression, persecuted, and denied basic
rights.
4. Cultural Impact:
What would be the outcome for any people who became subject to
Sharia Law? Let us remember that Islam’s expressed objective is to
dominate the globe in religion and in government; again there is no
differentiation.
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