Shariat

SHARIAT

A. Shariat is an Arabic word which means: pathway to be followed.

It is Islamic canonical law based on the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of Hazrat Mohammed. Traditional theory of Islamic jurisprudence recognizes four sources of sharia: the Quran, Sunnah (authentic hadith), Qiyas (analogical reasoning), and Ijma (juridical consensus). Shariat prescribes both religious and secular duties (and also punishment and penalties for breaking these rules).

B. For a layman, it is the Muslim religious code. It has five main points:

to read Kalmaa (a stanza in the name of God and Hazrat Mohammed as the prophet of God)
to go to Mecca for pilgrimage
to give Zakaat (charity of 2.5% of one’s wealth)
to undertake fast during the month of Ramzaan
to pray for five times a day.

(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)