ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS BRS 107.pdf - CUEA

4. Shari`a considered as religion (Q.2:243-244)When Shari’a is taken as religion, its separation from it becomes difficult or impossible;consequently, it becomes an unbearable law to the supposed non-recipient and evensome recipients suffer. The Quran says:“The same religion has he established for you as that which he enjoined on Noah- theone we have sent to thee...” (s.42:13). “Then we put thee on the right way of religion:so follow thou that way, and follow not the desires of those who know not” (s. 45:18).The non-separation of religion and law as Shari`a is concerned generates somediscrepancies. For example, the partition between religion and politics in Islam becomesunacceptable by many Muslims because both aspects seem to be inseparable. SomeMuslims and non-Muslims restlessly struggle for their divorce. Thus, many learned Muslimswho consider it as a cry of the modern world call for the separation of religion and politics inIslam. This could perhaps save the non-Muslims because even during the time ofMuhammad, non-Muslims suffered pains and died because of the duality of religion-politics inIslam. During Muhammad's time, the people of the Book according to the Qur’an (Jews andChristians) were regarded as second citizens; they were not accepted but tolerated afterfulfilling some conditions such as paying a tax ( Jizya). Two options were given the Dhimmis(tolerated people): either they were converted to Islam and found freedom or they could paytax and continue professing their religions. On the contrary, the pagans (according to theQur’an) were given two different choices: conversion to Islam or death. The world was dividedinto three territories: the world of Islam (the Muslims), the people of the book "Dhimmis "(Jewsand Christians) and the pagans.These practices continue up-to-date especially where Muslims are in majority. For instance, inSudan, north of Nigeria and Egypt, though the non-Muslims enjoy the protection of thegovernment, they do not have equal rights with the Muslims. In spite of solemn declarationsgiven by many Muslim leaders that shari'a law is applicable to Muslims only, Christianscontinue to suffer deprivation and molestation. In the case of Nigeria, we know that AlhajiMuhammad Maccido, the Sultan of Sokoto, once declared in "The Guardian, September 25,2000 that since Shari'a is a way of life of Muslims, it must continue but it will not affect non-Muslims”. Meanwhile, non-Muslims who live in areas where Shari'a is enforced are stillvictimized. This situation generates conflicts among Muslims and non-Muslims; it reallyundermines all the rising calls made by people who believe in interfaith dialogue initiatives andunity.Frederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 49 of 85