Learning Goal #3

Objective 1.8

Punishment and Equality Under Sharia Assignment

1. 5 hadd crimes:

• Unlawful sexual intercourse
• False accusation of unlawful sexual intercourse
• Wine drinking
• Theft
• Highway robbery

   5 punishments for committing hadd crimes:

• Flogging
• Stoning
• Amputation
• Exile
• Execution

2. The consequences are what makes these laws so controversial. The punishments are considered extreme in some cases and goes against some of what has become widely accepted as the correct way to punish someone. Also, punishments in secular courts and Islamic courts are different. 

3. The problem with the vigilante justice system is that the punishments are harsh and inhumane. Also, it doesn't seem to be clear who (Muslims, Allah, the Koran) desires this system. 

4. The Sharia vs. Secularism section is about how different countries are dealing with the decision of following Sharia laws and punishments or creating secular legal system. Some nations attempt to follow both the Sharia laws as well as secular systems of law. This section mentions how the various forms of courts handle different cases. It also touches on whether Islam and democracy can coexist.

5. The 3 categories that the legal systems fall into are dual legal systems, government under god, and completely secular systems.

• Dual legal system: takes aspects of Sharia and secular legal systems. The government is secular but Muslims have the choice to take family/financial issues to Sharia courts. Jurisdiction varies depending on the country
• Government under god: Islam is the official religion in countries with this type of legal system. Sharia is the source or one of the sources of laws and the government receives its authority from Islam
• Completely secular: Islamist parties often run for office in counties with this system. Sometimes Sharia can be an influence on the government. Popular Islamist groups are often viewed as a threat to the government that has been put in place.

 6. Democracy and Sharia can coexist. It can be seen in the countries such as Nigeria and Kenya where there are dual legal systems. Although issues may occur in some cases, with specific jurisdiction set for both systems of law many of these issues can be avoided.

7. The  modern economics and Sharia section mentions that some aspect of modern economics go against Sharia beliefs. To remove this problem governments and banking companies have made changes to fit the beliefs of Muslims such as investments of Muslims not going to things considered forbidden like tobacco or Islamic banking sectors that don't include interest.