Sharia
noun
Sharia
American
[shuh-ree-uh, shah-ree-ah]
/ ʃəˈri ə, ʃɑˈri ɑ /
Or
Shariah,
noun
Islam.
sharia
British
/ ʃəˈriːə /
noun
Etymology
Origin of Sharia
First recorded in 1855–60; from Arabic sharīʿah “law,” from sharaʿa “to prescribe”
Explanation
In Islam, sharia is religious law that's based on the Quran. Observant Muslims turn to sharia to help them live morally good lives. The Arabic root of sharia is shari'ah, "revealed law," or more poetically, "the clear, well-trodden path to water." These rules are understood to be revelations from God, and observant Muslims use them as instructions for things like prayer and fasting, but also in areas such as business and legal decisions. In majority-Muslim countries, there are entire sharia legal systems, complete with Islamic jurists who interpret texts and issue guidance and punishment.
Vocabulary lists containing sharia
World Religions
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Africa - Middle School
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South Asia - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“Singling out Sharia law feels like it’s just an attempt to kind of fearmonger against Muslims and Islamic religious practices,” Sinnar said.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2026
Two-thirds referenced themes such as radical Islam, Sharia law, extremism or terrorism.
From Barron's ● Mar. 14, 2026
While religious courts, including Sharia councils, do operate in the UK, most of their work deals with religious marriage arbitration and financial matters.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2025
Western governments and humanitarian organisations have widely condemned the Taliban government, in particular for their implementation of Sharia, which places heavy restrictions on women and girls.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2025
According to Sharia, Muslim law, Uncle Abdullah became our guardian.
From "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" by Michaela DePrince
"JNIM pursues a political-religious agenda, centred on the establishment of sharia law and the rejection of foreign forces, whilst the FLA champions a territorial and autonomist agenda, centred on Azawad," he said.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Minister Khalid Hanafi said it was the government's "responsibility to guide the nation to have an appearance according to sharia", or Islamic law.
From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026
After Ansar Dine took over Timbuktu it tried to impose sharia Islamic law.
From Reuters ● May 24, 2023
Amid signs of dissent within Taliban leadership, officials said classes would resume once a new plan had been readied to ensure education was conducted “according to sharia and Afghan culture.”
From Washington Post ● Dec. 20, 2022
After the imposition of sharia, the Taliban became even bolder.
From "Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Changed the World" by Malala Yousafzai
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
