Sharia

American  

[shuh-ree-uh, shah-ree-ah] / ʃəˈri ə, ʃɑˈri ɑ /

Or Shariah,

noun

Islam.

1. law, seen as deriving from the Quran, hadith, ijmaʿ, and qiyas.

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sharia British  

/ ʃəˈriːə /

noun

1. the body of canonical law based on the Koran that lays down certain duties and penalties for Muslims

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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.

Example Sentences

Two-thirds referenced themes such as radical Islam, Sharia law, extremism or terrorism.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

Meanwhile, another insider told the BBC that Akhundzada, who had started out as a judge in the Taliban's Sharia courts of the 1990s, was becoming "even more rigid" in his religious beliefs.

From BBC • Jan. 15, 2026

A resident of Nukuru spoke about the hard-line, strict Muslim ideology the militants have imposed - including banning things they deem to be against Islamic Sharia law.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

Each chapter varies in ideology, and one of its aims is to create a state ruled by Islamic law, or Sharia.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

Tradition has it that modern Sharia Nabi Danyal corresponds to the Street of the Soma, ancient Alexandria’s primary north—south byway.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro