Sharia – The Freedom to Follow Your Own Path
I have a friend who believes that walking barefoot is beneficial for health, a practice rooted in ancient Hindu wisdom. While he often shares the benefits of this practice during our hikes together, he doesn’t force anyone to remove their shoes. He also respects places where shoes are required. To me, this illustrates the importance of personal freedom – it’s simply his way of life.
Now, how does this relate to “Sharia,” a hot topic in Texas? Anyone who has visited the Middle East knows that the Arabic word for “street” is “Sharie.” Similarly, “Sharia” means “the clear path.” It represents the divinely ordained way of life, providing guidance as prescribed in the Quran and by the example of the Prophet Mohammed. More than a billion Muslims worldwide believe it leads to righteousness in this world and salvation in the afterlife.
Following Sharia, the clear path, primarily involves fulfilling core religious duties such as prayer, fasting, and charity. It encompasses observing dietary rules, dressing modestly, and abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Sharia also includes ethical guidelines for fair business transactions, fulfilling contracts, treating others justly regardless of their race, and striving for moral character.
Reflecting on my own journey to practice my faith in the USA., I initially followed Halal dietary guidelines, avoiding pork and meat not slaughtered according to Islamic rules. In the early ’90s, finding Halal meat was challenging, so we bought it from specialty stores. I later learned that meat slaughtered by Christians and Jews could be considered Halal by some interpretations and certain schools of thought. As a meat lover, I embraced this perspective and maintained it when I started my family. At home, we only use Halal meat, and when dining out, we avoid pork-based products but enjoy beef and chicken, especially Texas BBQ and steaks. Nearly 35 years later, Halal options are widely available, and most people don’t have to make the choices I once did.
Sharia also requires Muslims to be law-abiding citizens in their communities, as part of fulfilling social contracts, maintaining order, and avoiding harm. This is why the intense rhetoric surrounding Sharia can be confusing. This is especially bewildering for our younger generation, born post-9/11 and raised with an understanding of their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion. Unfortunately, some legislators want to make life difficult for Muslims in Texas.
In truth, Muslims may choose to follow aspects of Sharia in their private religious lives. One way to do this is through voluntary religious dispute resolution for personal matters, much like various faith communities. Sharia counseling is similar to how a Christian family might consult their pastor to settle a dispute. Some of this counseling maybe provided by a council of Imams instead of one person. Detractors point this to be Sharia councils operating in the USA and Canada.
Critics often equate Sharia with the capital punishments enforced by Sharia courts in the UK and Europe. However, national secular law is supreme and applies to everyone in matters of criminal activity. There is no parallel legal system with coercive state power to enforce capital punishments anywhere in the Western Hemisphere.
Another contentious issue in Texas is the development of communities like EPIC City, located north of Dallas. Community plays an essential role in all religions. I’ve seen Jewish communities settle near synagogues and many Hindu friends relocate closer to their temples. This is their choice, as long as they can afford it.
Certain groups have historically fueled discord and divisions while demonizing various groups driven by specific agendas. Anyone who understands the ongoing struggles faced by African Americans knows what I mean. Being Catholic was stigmatized until JFK broke that barrier. Irish and Italian immigrants endured discrimination, and antisemitism has reared its ugly head over the years. While I understand the concerns surrounding upcoming midterm elections, must our leaders prioritize Islamophobia over other pressing issues? The vitriol on social media is disheartening, yet I still have hope.
This is our Texas and America, where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness remain foundational to our collective success. People of all faiths, or no faith at all, should have the freedom to live their lives in their own way, as long as it is legal and does not harm anyone else, similar to my friend who believes in walking barefoot. For me and many of my fellow Muslims, Sharia represents our basic way of life—trying our best at being law abiding citizens, just in our dealing with others, making healthy choices in food, modest clothing, and being exemplary in our behavior.