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.
- "When a child with discrimination, meaning he can eat, drink, and clean himself after using the toilet unassisted, is seven years of age, he is ordered to perform the prayer, and when ten, is beaten for neglecting it." Page 109.
- "A child of seven is ordered to fast, and at ten is beaten for not fasting." Page 280 (Note: qualifications such as "not severely" are given after both of the last two statements).
- "Jihad means to war against non-Muslims, and it is etymologically derived from the word mujahahda, signifying warfare to establish the religion. (1) Fighting is prescribed for you (Koran 2:216) (2) Slay them wherever you find them (Koran 4:89) (3) Fight the idolaters utterly (Koran 9:36) I have been commanded to fight people until they testify that there is no God but Allah." Page 599.
- "The husband may forbid his wife to leave the home." Page 538.
- When a husband notices signs of rebellion in his wife, "he may hit her." Page 540-541.
- "The husband is only obliged to support his wife when she gives herself to him or offers to, meaning she allows him full enjoyment of her person and does not refuse him sex at any time of the night or day." Page 545.
- "When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostatizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed." If he refuses the request to return to Islam, "he is immediately killed." Page 595.
- "Kill the one who sodomizes, and the one who lets it be done to him." Page 665.
- "A pregnant woman is not stoned until she gives birth and the child can suffice with the milk of another." Page 611.
- "The penalty for drinking is to be scourged forty stripes." Page 617.
On page 846, Christianity and Judaism are forbidden, and are called "cults."
Lest these things be misconstrued as ancient and set aside beliefs, the introduction to the book (Page VIII) says, "The authors of the present volume and their positions do represent the orthodox Muslim intellectual and spiritual heritage that has been the strength of the community for over a thousand years, and the means through which Allah has preserved His religion, in its purest and fullest sense, to the present day."
Do I suspect that every Muslim believes and wants to impose all of these things? Certainly not. I have been friends with some very kind, honest, gracious Muslims who I know do not hold to Sharia, and they do not worry me in the least.
What does trouble me, though, is that so few people who are speaking about the subject, especially those who so cavalierly throw around the word "Islamophobic," have actually read the code of Sharia law so they may know what they are talking about.
It would be worth their time to change that.
Bo Wagner is pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Mooresboro, N.C., and the author of several books available at www.wordofhismouth.com. Contact him at 2knowhim@cbc-web.org.