Sharia Law: What is it and Why is it so feared?

Lately there's been a big fuss over Sharia Law. But the people who are making the fuss about it obviously don't understand it or know anything about it, or they wouldn't be complaining and causing such commotion over it. I will never understand why anything unknown is assumed horrible. Are we really such a lazy nation that we would rather make assumptions and let the media tell us how and what we should think about different things instead of finding the truth ourselves? We're becoming a nation very similar to that found in the book 1984 by George Orwell. Why anyone would allow themselves to be told what to think and feel about issues, people, etc is beyond me. Sharia Law is nothing to be feared, or hated.

The word sharia comes from the Arabic root word shary meaning to make laws. No sharia laws have been made by man. They are all revealed to us through the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, and can be found in the Quran and also in the teachings and actions of the Prophet, pbuh. Wikipedia explains in major detail about sharia law, the countries that follow it, and much more. This is a good article explaining what's going on now in the US and how our country is dealing with the issue of sharia and also a little history of sharia.

Why fear Sharia law? Allah says in the Quran "O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result." Quran 4: 59 Note He said to "follow those in authority among you." Yes, as Muslims we are called to follow and obey Allah and His commands, but we are ordered to follow the 'law of the land' or whoever is in charge. As far as the second part of the ayat is concerned, it is referring to individual disagreements. In the time of the revelation of the Quran, there was no court systems in Arabia, so matters would be taken to tribal leaders. Allah was saying go to the Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, because he was receiving Allah's laws which is the Quran. You will not find a scholar or imam, or religious leader who is truly following Islam who will tell you it is acceptable to go against the laws of the country in which you are living. This is obviously unacceptable or Islam would be encouraging lawbreaking and self-governing.

Sharia law holds people strictly accountable for their deeds and actions. Sheikh Siraj Wahhaj spoke on this topic last year during an Islamic convention. Please check it out to better understand Sharia Law. Any mistakes are made from the men and women who interpret the laws, and not by Allah Who created them as Allah knows better than us what is best for us. Not to mention, Allah is perfect and incapable of making mistakes. Sharia is nothing to be feared.