Sharia

Friday, May 27, 2016

Sharia is an Arabic word that means “a path to be followed.” In its most common use, it refers to Islamic law. The inference here is that Islamic law is the path that should be followed in various decisions. That law covers the whole of religious, social, economic, political, domestic and private life for all who profess Islam. There are two primary sources for the Sharia: the Quran (the holy book of Islam), and the sunna (what Muhammad said and did).

Punishments according to the Sharia include lashes for drinking alcohol, amputation of a limb for theft, stoning for adultery and homosexuality, and so forth.

In some places (such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, parts of Indonesia, and the Gaza Strip), government-appointed religious police regularly patrol public places to enforce Sharia law.

One goal of fundamentalist Muslims is to impose Sharia law wherever there are Muslim populations. They have even succeeded in having it used in the legal system in Britain.^[1]

Prayer

Eternal Father, Holy Son, Life-Giving Spirit, blessed be your majesty in heaven, O God (Ezekiel 3:12, SAB). I pray that you will help Muslims understand that although the Sharia allows them to kill sinners, that will never uproot sin. Help them repent of their self-righteousness and come to Christ, the only true Savior.

May your light shine on them and give them a glimpse of your immeasurable and unfathomable love (Ephesians 3:18-19).

By the power of the cross, may they receive eternal life and be transformed to experience your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Instead of declarations of blame, judgment, condemnation, and verdicts of death, may their vocabulary be transformed into expressions of redemption, forgiveness, cleansed hearts, pure minds, grace, victory, crucified self, songs of joy, and eternal life!

May your holy name be praised for ever and ever. In Jesus Christ, your Son, my Lord, amen.

Promise

We know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law (Galatians 2:16, NLT).