Since Sharia is the compilation of the laws of Islam, and is looked upon as the final word for every single aspect of life, what does it say about homosexuality, the status of women, and the rights of non-Muslims living in Islamic countries? I am quoting from the best English translation of Sharia law in print today: The book is Reliance of the Traveller by noted Islamic scholar Ahmed ibn Naqib al-Misri.
Some may wish to compare Sharia with the Law of Moses in the Old Testament and claim that Christians wish to enforce the same kind of code today. However, the New Testament does not insist upon the wholesale enforcement of the civil and religious aspects of the Law of Moses, as can be seen in the operations of the emerging Christian Church in the Book of Acts. I will deal with the purpose and fulfillment of the Law of Moses in Christian theology in an upcoming article.
On pages 664 and 665, Reliance of the Traveller deals with “Sodomy and Lesbianism.” It says:
In more than one place in the Holy Koran, Allah recounts to us the story of Lot’s people, and how He destroyed them for their wicked practice. There is consensus among both Muslims and the followers of all other religions that sodomy is an enormity. It is even viler and uglier than adultery.
The Prophet … said: “Kill the one who sodomizes and the one who lets it be done to him. May Allah curse him who does what Lot’s people did. Lesbianism by women is adultery between them.”
What is the penalty for adultery? When looking up “adultery” in the subject index, it says “see fornication.” So, under “fornication” on page 660 it says: “The fornicator and fornicatress, scourge them each a hundred stripes and let not pity for them take you (Koran 24:2).” So, lesbians get the lash but male homosexuals are executed? Apparently there are other penalties since Muslims in ISIS-held territory, Iran, and other Sharia-dominated areas kill homosexuals by pushing them off roofs.
Next Page: How about the treatment of women?
How about the treatment of women? This tome goes into great detail about engagement, marriage and divorce, inheritance, leaving the home without a male chaperone, the custody of children, etc. However, in each discussion of the subject, women are clearly inferior to men.
The Quran, in fact, says so in Surah 4:34: “Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them in beds apart, and beat them.” Beat them.
Yes, it commands Muslim men to beat their wives if they “disobey.” As far as I know, the Quran is the only book of the world’s major religions that actually commands or allows men to beat their wives.
And Sharia supports this treatment. “Men are the guardians of women, since Allah has been more generous to one than the other, and because of what they spend from their wealth,” Reliance of the Traveler states. “So righteous women will be obedient, and in absence watchful, for Allah is watchful. And if you fear their intractability, warn them, send them from bed, or hit them. But if they obey you, seek no way to blame them.”
The book also includes these rather one-sided passages (pages 681-682):
Allah will not look at a woman who is ungrateful to her husband, while unable to do without him.
When a man calls his wife to his bed and she will not come, and he spends the night angry with her, the angels curse her until morning.
Whoever leaves her husband’s house [without his permission], the angels curse her until she returns or repents.
It is a condition for the permissibility of her going out that she take no measures to enhance her beauty, and that her figure is concealed or altered to a form unlikely to draw looks from men or attract them.
Next Page: How does Sharia treat non-Muslims living in Islamic lands?
How does Sharia treat non-Muslims living in Islamic territory? The text says on pages 607-608:
A formal agreement of protection is made with citizens who are (1) Jews, (2) Christians (3) Zoroastrians (4) Samarians and Sabians, if their religions do not respectively contradict the fundamental bases of Judaism and Christianity; and (5) those who adhere to the religion of Abraham or one of the other prophets …
Such an agreement is only valid if the subject peoples (a) follow the rules of Islam (those mentioned below) and those involving public behavior and dress, though in acts of worship and their private lives, the subject communities have their own laws, judges, and courts, enforcing the rules of their own religion among themselves); (b) and pay the non-Muslim poll tax (jizya)…
Such non-Muslim subjects are obliged to comply with Islamic rules that pertain to the safety and indemnity of life, reputation, and property. In addition, they:
(1) are penalized for committing adultery or theft, though not for drunkenness;
(2) are distinguished from Muslims in dress, wearing a wide cloth belt (zunnar);
(3) are not greeted with “as-Salamu alaykum”;
(4) must keep to the side of the street;
(5) may not build higher than or as high as the Muslims’ buildings, though if they acquire a tall house, it is not razed;
(6) are forbidden to openly display wine or pork, to ring church bells or display crosses, recite the Torah or Evangel aloud, or make public display of their funerals and feastdays;
(7) and are forbidden to build new churches.
These are the exact words of Sharia. Enforced around the world. Possibly coming to a neighborhood near you some day.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member