If there is any group at all that should not give their eyes any sleep until the Sharia law is reformed or the full blown version is abrogated, it is the women. From the foregoing these African nay Nigerian women have observed that after the Christians, the next victims of the Sharia would be the womenfolk. The Sharia law and in fact the whole religion has virtually nothing productive to offer women. Since the Sharia poses the greatest threat and challenge to women, they must unite to fight the scourge. This is part of the agenda of Womanism, nay feminism.
Women everywhere, whether in Islam, African Traditional Religion,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Freemasonry, Amorc
or Judaism must all team up to say:
No to male chauvinism! No to discrimination and racism!
Table of Contents
1. THE MOOD OF THE NIGERIAN NATION
2. THE SHARIA
3. THE SCOPE OF ISLAM
4. Sharia Law Practice: Anti-Non-Muslims and Anti-Women
5. CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM IN NIGERIA: MUTUAL GRIEVANCES
Objectives and Themes
This work critically examines the sociopolitical and religious implications of implementing full-scale Sharia law within Nigeria’s secular constitutional framework. It explores the inherent tensions between Islamic legal practices and the nation's commitment to secular governance, human rights, and religious pluralism, while questioning the political motivations driving the demand for Sharia expansion.
- The clash between religious law and Nigeria's secular constitution.
- Socio-economic and political consequences of implementing Sharia.
- The impact of religious fundamentalism on inter-faith relations and national unity.
- The status of women and non-Muslims under Sharia-inspired legal systems.
- The role of foreign influence in regional and religious instability in Nigeria.
Excerpt from the Book
THE SHARIA
The Shari’ah literally means THE PATH: but technically it stands for the law of Islam. According to Ishmael Farugi, Sharia has for 14 centuries been the quintessence of Islam and the most powerful educator, civilizer and disciplinarian of hundreds of millions of Muslim masses – the Ummah, Islamic Law is founded on the principle of: Tooth for Tooth’. A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear and a tooth for a tooth, for other injuries, equitable retaliation” (Quran 5:47; 42:21). To be a true Muslim, according to the hardliners is to live one’s life according to the regulations of the Koran.
These Muslims readily cite Koran 4:65, 4:105, 5:47; 48:50 and 5:51 to back up their position. Many Muslim scholars believe that the Harshness of Islamic laws which the modern society detests, and describes as primitive, barbaric and anti-social are deterrents against crime and evil in the society. These scholars are of the view that Western Laws and Jurisprudence are a failure and too loose as to effect a positive change in the society. They cite the crime rate in most Western Societies as an example: Western children and youths are said to be rotten and lazy; officially adult age for future responsibilities is pegged at 18 but Euro-American children are making babies as early as 10 years as well as going into marriage without family responsibility.
Summary of Chapters
THE MOOD OF THE NIGERIAN NATION: This chapter contextualizes the national atmosphere surrounding the introduction of Sharia law, highlighting the ensuing civil unrest and the responses from various Nigerian socio-political groups.
THE SHARIA: This chapter defines the theoretical and literal origins of Sharia law, while critically debating its legalistic application in the context of human rights, ethics, and contemporary society.
THE SCOPE OF ISLAM: This chapter outlines the structural components of Islamic legal jurisdiction, covering spiritual, personal, criminal, and constitutional law.
Sharia Law Practice: Anti-Non-Muslims and Anti-Women: This chapter analyzes the discriminatory aspects of Sharia practices, focusing specifically on the marginalization of non-Muslims and the restricted rights of women.
CHRISTIANITY AND ISLAM IN NIGERIA: MUTUAL GRIEVANCES: This chapter investigates the long-standing sources of friction between Christian and Muslim communities in Nigeria, advocating for a separation of state and religion to ensure national stability.
Keywords
Sharia Law, Nigeria, Secularism, Islamic Jurisprudence, Religious Fundamentalism, Christianity, Human Rights, Inter-religious Conflict, Constitution, Politics, Women's Rights, Social Cohesion, National Unity, Sectarianism, Ethnicity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The book analyzes the implications of introducing full-scale Sharia law into Nigeria's secular state, focusing on the resulting political and social tensions.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The central themes include the compatibility of Sharia with the Nigerian Constitution, the impact on minority groups, the status of women, and the broader consequences for national unity.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The author aims to investigate how religious fundamentalism fuels national discord and advocates for the preservation of a secular state to protect the rights of all citizens.
What scientific or analytical methods are applied?
The work utilizes a combination of socio-political analysis, legal review of constitutional provisions, and comparative study of religious and political texts.
Which areas of the Sharia legal system are analyzed in the book?
The analysis covers various sectors including Ibadat (Spiritual Law), Ahwal at Shakhsiya (Personal Law), Muamalat (Transactions), and Ugubat (Criminal Law).
Which key terms describe this work?
Key terms include Sharia Law, Secularism, Human Rights, Religious Conflict, and National Integration.
How does the author view the integration of Sharia in Nigeria?
The author views it as a source of instability and discriminatory practice, suggesting that it contradicts the constitutional principles of a multi-religious, secular nation.
What is the author's stance on the impact of Sharia on women?
The author argues that the application of Sharia in Nigeria reinforces male chauvinism, minimizes the status of women, and limits their agency and equality.
Does the book offer a solution to the ongoing religious tensions?
Yes, the author proposes that religion should remain a private affair and calls for a reaffirmation of the secular nature of the Nigerian state to ensure peaceful co-existence.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Ikechukwu Aloysius Orjinta (Autor:in), 2010, Sharia law and the religious factor in a secular state like Nigeria, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163068
