sharia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Religious/Discourse
Quick answer
What does “sharia” mean?
Islamic religious law derived from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Hadith), governing moral conduct, religious observance, family law, and societal rules for Muslims.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Islamic religious law derived from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Hadith), governing moral conduct, religious observance, family law, and societal rules for Muslims.
The overarching moral and legal framework guiding all aspects of life for observant Muslims; often used in non-Muslim contexts to refer specifically to Islamic penal or family law.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. Usage differences are minimal but relate to local discourse; British media more frequently discusses 'sharia councils' in family law contexts, while American media may focus more on constitutional questions regarding sharia.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word can carry neutral, scholarly connotations or politically charged ones depending on context. It is often a focal point in debates about multiculturalism and religious freedom.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK media and political discourse due to established Muslim communities and public debates about sharia councils. In the US, frequency spikes around specific legal or political discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sharia” in a Sentence
sharia + verb (governs, requires, prohibits)adjective + sharia (strict, traditional, Islamic)preposition + sharia (under, according to, based on)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sharia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The community seeks to sharia-govern its internal affairs.
- (Note: 'sharia' is not used as a verb in standard English; this is a non-standard, derived construction.)
American English
- (No standard verb use exists.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb use exists.)
American English
- (No standard adverb use exists.)
adjective
British English
- They offer sharia-compliant savings accounts.
- The sharia ruling was issued by a local council.
American English
- He invests in sharia-compliant funds.
- The debate focused on sharia courts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to 'sharia-compliant finance' or banking that avoids interest (riba) and unethical investments.
Academic
Used in religious studies, law, anthropology, and political science to discuss Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), history, and contemporary application.
Everyday
Appears in news discussions about Muslim communities, international affairs, or ethical finance. Not common in casual conversation.
Technical
In Islamic jurisprudence, refers precisely to the revealed, unchanging divine law, as distinct from fiqh (human interpretation).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sharia”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sharia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sharia”
- Misspelling as 'shariah law' (redundant as 'sharia' means law).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a sharia' – incorrect).
- Pronouncing it /ʃæˈraɪə/ (like 'shy-ria') instead of /ʃəˈriːə/.
- Confusing it with cultural practices that are not strictly religious law.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While the core sources (Quran, Hadith) are the same, the interpretation (fiqh) and application of sharia vary widely between countries, legal schools (madhhabs), and cultural contexts. Some nations apply it only to family law, while others incorporate it into their criminal code.
Essentially yes, but purists note a slight distinction: 'Sharia' refers to the divine, unchanging path, while 'Islamic law' often refers to the human scholarly effort (fiqh) to understand and apply that path. In common English usage, they are synonymous.
Yes, in limited ways. Some countries (like the UK) allow sharia councils to operate as arbitration tribunals for consenting Muslims in civil matters like divorce. These rulings have no force of state law but are binding within the faith community under arbitration acts.
No. This is a common misconception. Criminal law (hudud) is a very small part of sharia. Its primary focus is on worship (ibadat), ethics, and personal/family law (muamalat) covering marriage, inheritance, contracts, and charity.
Islamic religious law derived from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Hadith), governing moral conduct, religious observance, family law, and societal rules for Muslims.
Sharia is usually formal, academic, journalistic, religious/discourse in register.
Sharia: in British English it is pronounced /ʃəˈriːə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃəˈriə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sharia court”
- “Sharia-compliant finance”
- “To run on sharia principles”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHARIA' = 'SHARing A path' for life, as it's a shared religious path for Muslims.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A PATH/GUIDE (e.g., 'the path laid down by sharia'), SYSTEM IS A BODY (e.g., 'the body of sharia law').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary source of sharia law?