While Sharia is generally thought to be a set of unchanging beliefs and principles and seen as a legal code, it is important to note that it is more so a moral code that is not unchangeable and unable to adapt with time and place. Moreover, for Sharia to continue to be a defining element of Islamic society, it needs to be contextualised so as to suit modern circumstances. This idea that Sharia is static, unchangeable, and unable to adapt to time and place, is a highly Westernised view. For this reason, it is important to bridge the gap between the Western world and Islam.
The primary source of Islamic law is the Quran, however the Quran only provides 350 legal verses, which is tiny compared to the 6000 verses that make up the Quran. It is …show more content…
“Contextualist approach to interpreting the Quran, which is central to ensuring the book’s continued relevance to the changing realities and needs of the contemporary Muslim world” (Rane, 2010, pp.71). It is impossible for the Sharia to be seen as adaptable without first contextualising the Quran. Contextualising the Sharia and the Quran, also comes down to understanding the Quran and the time and circumstances under which the verses were revealed. By understanding the context of the Quran, it can help to recognise which elements are no longer applicable in the modern Muslim world, and as such, know which laws are no longer applicable as well. This is essential to be able to incorporate modern issues with the classical sources of Islam.
Of course, it does need to be acknowledge that parts of Sharia are largely unchangeable. Many scholars have defined Sharia to be unchangeable and for this reason, it is a difficult subject to approach. Because contextualising and changing Sharia can be seen as challenging Islamic faith and also compromising the authenticity of it.
It is highly important for Sharia to be contextualised so as to bring Islamic culture into the modern world and to protect the needs and realities of modern Muslims. This contextualisation should bring about the Sharia’s focus to include not only legal thought, also moral and ethical, and by doing so will prove that Sharia is adaptable and capable of
The primary source of Islamic law is the Quran, however the Quran only provides 350 legal verses, which is tiny compared to the 6000 verses that make up the Quran. It is …show more content…
“Contextualist approach to interpreting the Quran, which is central to ensuring the book’s continued relevance to the changing realities and needs of the contemporary Muslim world” (Rane, 2010, pp.71). It is impossible for the Sharia to be seen as adaptable without first contextualising the Quran. Contextualising the Sharia and the Quran, also comes down to understanding the Quran and the time and circumstances under which the verses were revealed. By understanding the context of the Quran, it can help to recognise which elements are no longer applicable in the modern Muslim world, and as such, know which laws are no longer applicable as well. This is essential to be able to incorporate modern issues with the classical sources of Islam.
Of course, it does need to be acknowledge that parts of Sharia are largely unchangeable. Many scholars have defined Sharia to be unchangeable and for this reason, it is a difficult subject to approach. Because contextualising and changing Sharia can be seen as challenging Islamic faith and also compromising the authenticity of it.
It is highly important for Sharia to be contextualised so as to bring Islamic culture into the modern world and to protect the needs and realities of modern Muslims. This contextualisation should bring about the Sharia’s focus to include not only legal thought, also moral and ethical, and by doing so will prove that Sharia is adaptable and capable of