Shariah is the center of Muslim life, not the Quran
Shariah Islamic Law: Shariah is the center of Muslim life, not the Quran. Shariah means "path to the stream," and is considered the manifestation of Allah’s will. Joseph Schacht, unparalleled Islamic law scholar, wrote
An Introduction to Islamic Law, stating, "Islamic law is the epitome of Islamic thought, the most typical manifestation of the Islamic way of life, the core and kernel of Islam itself." Shariah’s doctrines must be followed, and their abandonment must be punished.
Apostasy in Islam: According to the four schools, apostasy in Islam is not just abandonment of Islamic faith, but any act or statement implying unbelief, like denying a "fundamental tenet or creed" of Islam. Which undoubtedly will be applied to the many Afghani residents embracing western ways of dress, action and thought. For example, females attending university, finding outside professions, or even living outside the family home would be seen as committing acts of the apostate.
Punishment for Apostasy: The classic punishment under traditional Islam
is death to Apostates. The Quran addresses apostasy in Chapter 4, Verse 89: "But if they turn back (from Islam), take (hold of) them and kill them wherever you find them." Missionary Samuel Zwemer, whose Apostasy is the classic work on the topic, explained the "word apostate in Arabic is
murtadd and one who apostatizes is called man
artadd 'an dinihi, i.e. "Who turns his back on religion." Zwemmer notes crimes demanding corporal punishment. "These are seven: rebellion, apostasy, adultery (on the part of a free woman), reviling, wine-drinking, theft, and highway-robbery."
No Forced Conversion: Muslim apologist
Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, in Al-Islam.org explains on apostasy, that while Islam does not compel religious conversion, after one converts, they must stay the course., writing: "Why does Islam not allow apostasy? Apostasy or
irtidād in Islam is equal to treason."
Therefore, the apostate must be executed. This reveals the theocratic view of society which marries church to state, where leaving belief is to announce treason against the state. Some schools do allow the female apostate to be flogged every three days until she returns to the faith.
Conclusion:
This brief essay is meant to expose a fascinating topic in Islamic law, Apostasy, but more importantly -- how Shariah is conceived. The reason for concern for Afghanistan is several-fold. First, much of the populace transitioned into western mores and ethics. Feminism is omnipresent, for example. Second, Shariah is really the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and Constitution to these traditionalists. Third, fair application of Shariah is sketchy at best. There is no doctrine of due process and nor is there a western style confrontational law system. So, checks and balances are essentially non-existent. Finally, the Taliban will absolutely return to Shariah immediately because this is their
raison d’etre and purpose of life. In other words, the entire reason to become Taliban in the first place is to represent God by announcing and enforcing the Shariah. So, sorry liberals, but trying to defeat traditional Islam is just like pushing back against an encroaching glacier -- you’ve picked another unwinnable war.
