Islamic Sharia Law in the Bible

When I discussed the topic: “Islamic Sharia Law” in this Forum, I was ignorant of the fact that there are also some aspects of the Sharia in the Holy Bible until a friend e-mailed this most remarkable discovery. 

As a student of comparative religion, I am always interested in new developments that are supported with facts and figures. I checked out all the quotations he sent me in my copy of the Holy Bible and was pleased to confirm their authenticity.  I therefore equally studied the Holy Qur’an to find comparable quotations to support that of the Bible.

As I said in my earlier discourse, most non-Muslims and even some Muslims do not know what the Islamic Sharia Law is all about.  A Christian colleague of mine thinks that Islamic Sharia Law is only about mutilating people’s limbs for stealing or killing people for committing fornication and behold it has now come to light that even the Bible approves of severe punishment for murder and adultery.  Its own concept is even more severe than that of the Qur’an.

In my earlier discourse, I also defined what the Islamic Sharia Law is according to Islamic doctrines.  The word ‘Sharia’ simply refers to all that Allah ordained for His creation concerning religion whether it relates to acts of worship, transactions, or ethical matters.  It also refers to laws concerning actions as opposed to those referring to beliefs.  In line with this definition, below are areas that border on worship, transactions and ethical issues:

Adultery

On adultery, the Bible said in Leviticus 20:10 that:

“And the man that commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he that commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death”. The verses run up to 16 but we are only taking verse 10 to elucidate (see other quotations in Exodus 21:15-25).

In comparison, the Qur’an is silent on the punishment for adultery. The punishment is however, laid down in the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as stoning of the adulterous parties to death.  

On the other hand, in the Qur’an Allah (SWT) specified punishment for fornication (sex between unmarried couples) in Surah An-Nur (The Light) 24:2: “The woman and the man guilty of fornication – flog with a hundred lashes and do not be taken by pity for them in a matter prescribed by Allah if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.  And let a group of believers witness their punishment”. 

This punishment is meant to serve as a deterrent to the society to avoid unlawful sex that is why people are required to witness it.

Murder

On the issue of murder, the Bible said in Leviticus 24:17: “And he that kills any man shall surely be put to death”. (See Exodus 21:15-25 on punishment for murder).

In the Qur’an Surah Al-Baqarah (The Heifer) 2:178 Allah says: “O you who believe! Prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered – the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother (that is; the killer), anything then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him (that is; the deceased’s heir or legal representative) with good conduct. This is a concession from your Lord and a mercy.  But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment”.

Mixing Tradition with Religion

This issue refers to the many mistakes both Christians and Muslims make in using tradition where it suits them and ignoring God’s commandments. For instance in the cases of marriage and burial in Nigeria, some of the traditions include fetishes not approved by either of the religions. 

The Bible vehemently abhors tradition as reflected in Matthew 15:1-6: “Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharises, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they was not their hands when they eat bread.  But he answered and said unto them, why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?  For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curses father or mother, let him die the death.  But you say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightiest be profited by me; And honor not his father or his mother; he shall be free.  Thus have you made the commandment of God of non effect by your tradition”.

Many Christians particularly from Southern Nigeria, prefer traditional marriages and burial ceremonies over and above the doctrines of the Bible. Many Muslims also favour traditions in matters of marriage and naming ceremonies in contradiction to the Qur’an.

In the Koran, Surah Al-Maidah (The Table Spread) Allah says: “When it is said to them: “Come to what Allah has revealed; come to the Messenger”: They say: “Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following”.  What! Even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?”. 

Worshiping Jesus as the Lord, God

Leviticus 26:1: “You shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall you set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God”. (See Exodus 20:1-5 for other references).

The Roman Catholic faith of the Christian religion approves of erecting idols of Jesus (PBUH) and Mary in all their churches and they kneel to these idols in worship in direct contradiction to the above Holy quotations of the Bible.  Some churches also approve a caricature of Jesus in the form of the cross, paintings and photographs while no one can authoritatively prove that the images going round in the world is that of Jesus (PBUH).  Jesus was a Jew not an European but the artist’s impression of images purportedly being touted resembles that of an European rather than a Jew. 

These caricatures and images are mere conjecture and imagination that the Catholics ascribe as partners to Allah.  You only kneel to God in supplication. Allah said in the Qur’an Surah Yunus (Jonah) 10:36: “But most of them follow nothing but conjecture: truly conjecture can be of no avail against truth.  Verily Allah is well aware of all that they do”.  In Surah Al-Qasas (The Narration) 28:62 Allay says: “That Day (Allah) will Call to them, and say: “Where are My partners?”- Whom you imagined (to be such)?”.