Understanding Islam — Page 188
WHAT IS SHARIAH? 186 Shariah law that can be “imposed” on non-Muslim citizens of a country. If absolute justice is the central theme of the government, how could Islamic law be imposed upon non-Muslims? This is the example we see in practice in the life of Prophet Muhammad sa when he migrated to Mad ī nah and all communities unanimously accepted him as their leader. They agreed to make a recourse to him for all their disputes and trust his superior judgement to resolve all the contentions between various parties, in accordance with their own religious principles, as agreed to in the Treaty of Mad ī nah. The Islamic law had already been revealed at that time. When the Jews came to him for decisions, without exception, every time he enquired from them: “Would you like your dispute to be settled according to the Jewish law or Islamic law or through arbitration?” Prophet Muhammad sa never imposed Islamic law on a non-agreeing party, which did not belong to the faith of Islam. This is indeed the absolute justice that the Holy Quran requires any Islamic government to employ. This, of course, was the practice adhered to, at the time of Prophet Muhammad sa. However, in the modern age, when there are numerous groups