Most Americans were but dimly aware of something called Islam before Sept. 11, 2001. Since that time, though, everyone in the world knows of it, and most everyone harbors strong feelings for or against it.
One aspect of Islam that is being spoken of more commonly of late is Sharia law. Some states and municipalities have taken steps to bar or limit Sharia and have been branded as Islamophobic for their efforts.
What I have not seen up till now, though, is anyone actually defining or giving examples of Sharia law. As what the world calls a “faith leader,” I have always believed it to be my duty to know not only what Christianity teaches, but what others teach as well, and what their writings say. It is hard to speak with any credibility if one does not.
For anyone with enough character to look and study, Sharia law will not be hard to find. It can be read in the book “The Reliance of the Traveler, A Classic Manual of Islamic Sacred Law.” It is a very long book, well over 1,200 pages. I took time to read it, truly wanting to know what is in it.
There are some good and practical things in it, but having read it as a Christian who lives by the guidelines of the New Testament and under the grace it gives, and as an American who enjoys freedom and due process, I do have some concerns. Here are just a few of many things I suspect most people do not know.