Understanding Islam — Page 184
WHAT IS SHARIAH? 182 instance, there are so many interpretations, of so many different sects. Whose interpretation would apply? The fact is that the Islamic Shariah has many aspects that are to be voluntarily acted upon by individuals. No government is, or can be, required to tell a sincere, devout Muslim that he should pray five times a day, behave honestly in everyday life, speak the truth, observe fasting in the month of Ramadhan, and so on. On top of that, what will be the situation in those countries where an environment does not exist for the enactment of Shariah? Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad rh notes: Every prophet ‑ not only Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) ‑ every prophet first created that healthy climate for the law of God to be imposed, willingly not compulsorily. And when the society was ready, then the laws were introduced and stiffened further and further, until the whole code was revealed. That society was capable of carrying the burden of the law of religion, whether you call it Shariah law or any other law. 2 A society where theft is common, for instance, cannot have Shariah law. Harsh punishments