Sharia Law

With the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and its affiliated “lone wolf” attackers garnering much media coverage, there is a concern that attempts by radical Muslims to attack Westerners is one stage in a longer process to spread Islam and Sharia law. The term sharia is used quite a bit, but is generally used in a vague manner, particularly by media outlets and political pundits. In essence, Sharia law refers to the body of laws and culture surrounding religious prescriptions in Islam. It encompasses the Qur’an, the Hadith, as well as legal opinions developed since Islam’s inception in the 7th century CE.