What is the Shariah
Shariah is often translated as “Islamic law” and is even more often associated with punishments like cutting hands, lashing, or stoning. This is not true; while all of the above-mentioned are part of the Shariah, they are not the Shariah itself.
Shariah in Arabic means ”source of water” or “path leading to the source of water”.
In linguistic terms, Shariah refers to a water source, which is the source to which people who want to drink come, so they drink from it and fill their buckets, and perhaps bring their animals to drink from it as well.
The Arabs do not call a water source Shariah unless the water is flowing without interruption, and is visible and can be seen. (Lisaan al-Arab 8/175)
Water is the most important resource in a human being’s life. This implies that the Shariah is as important as water and that it is the path for survival in this life and the hereafter.
In Islamic terminology, Shariah refers to the entire religion of Islam, which Allah has chosen for His slaves to bring them forth thereby from the depths of darkness into the light. It is what He has prescribed for them and what He has explained to them of commands and prohibitions, halal and haram.
Al Khalil ibn Ahmad al Farahidi, the author of the first dictionary in the Arabic language, said:
“Shariah: What Allah has legislated for the servants in matters of religions, and has commanded them to adhere to it, including prayer, fasting, Hajj and the like. And this is the Shariah.” (Kitab al Ayn 1/253; as Sihah from Jawhari 3/1236)
Some of the characteristics of Shariah
Islamic Shariah is Allah’s guidance to humanity. It distinguishes itself and its value system from other systems by a set of unique characteristics.
Shariah is from Allah
The first and the most important attribute of the Shariah is that it is from Allah. Although obvious, this attribute is often forgotten. Shariah was not made by people, nor was it an accumulation of peoples’ experience. Its guidance, rulings, and teachings are from Allah, the Almighty, the Creator, the Most Merciful, the Ultimately Just.
This attribute makes it a real guidance, guidance from the One who created and the One who knows His creation, the One who knows what is beneficial to them, and what is harmful. Allah’s names and attributes manifest themselves in His Shariah. Shariah is full of wisdom, mercy, and justice and the benefit of people in this life and in the eternal life.
The deen of Islam is from Allah and hence the Shariah is perfect and so it can’t to be compared to man made ways of thinking, systems and ideologies. Shariah as a whole is beneficial to mankind and humans can never come up with a way of life, system, law or ideology which is so comprehensive and beneficial to all mankind. Since Shariah comes from Allah the Exalted, it provides answers to the questions that human beings cannot answer.
Shariah is comprehensive, encompassing, and complete
Shariah is a comprehensive guidance that takes into consideration all aspects of the human life.
It shows its guidance wherever we are: at home, in the mosque, and at work. It rules our relationship with Allah, our Creator, within ourselves, with each other, our families, our communities, and the whole society. It teaches us how to deal with people, animals and objects. It applies to our physical needs, as well as our intellect and souls. It encompasses our sayings, feelings, and actions.
It is a comprehensive way of life.
Allah the Exalted says:
“… and We have sent down to you the Book explaining all things, a guide, a mercy, and glad tidings to Muslims.” (an Nahl 16/89)
Shariah is balanced and moderate
Shariah is balanced and moderate: It balances between the body and the soul, between the intellect and the emotions, between this life and the eternal one. It balances between theory and reality, between thinking and acting, between the unseen and the apparent. It promotes freedom, yet it commands responsibility. It places a balanced focus on the individual versus the community. It strikes a balance between copying and following, and creativity and innovation. It is really a balanced guidance.
Shariah deals with humans as they are
Shariah came to deal with human beings as they are. It acknowledges their needs and desires. Allah knows the humans He created and knows that they need to eat, drink, and get married. They have materialistic necessities and needs the same way they have their spiritual and emotional needs. It acknowledges the differences between people, nations, and cultures. And Shariah also acknowledges the need for rest and entertainment to recharge the energy as long as it is done appropriately without sins.
Shariah acknowledges that humans are going to advance and decline, and people may be guided, or may go astray. It acknowledges the fact that people are weak and may disobey and they will need to learn how to repent.
Shariah will continue until the Day of Judgement
One important attribute of Shariah is that it is the last Shariah to humanity. It will continue to remain and reach generation after generation. It is unlike man-made systems where the worries are left for the next generations. Shariah as a whole cares for all the mankind in time and place. For that, Allah the Exalted preserved and protected its sources.
Purpose of Shariah
Shariah came as a mercy to humanity.
Allah the Exalted says: “Say, “To whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth?” Say, “To Allah.” He has decreed upon Himself mercy. He will surely assemble you for the Day of Resurrection, about which there is no doubt. Those who will lose themselves [that Day] do not believe.” (al An’am 6/12)
And He says: “And when those come to you who believe in Our verses, say, “Peace be upon you. Your Lord has decreed upon Himself mercy: that any of you who does wrong out of ignorance and then repents after that and corrects himself – indeed, He is Forgiving and Merciful.” (al An’am 6/54)
Shariah also brings ease and removes hardship and difficulty.
Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship. (al Baqara 2/185)
Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful. (al Mai’dah 5/6)
Shariah is to bring about good and benefit and repel evil and harm from mankind. The ultimate goal of the Shariahh is the achieving of the well being and happiness of the human being in this life and the hereafter.
For Allah the Exalted is Himself in no need of benefit nor is He in need of the obedience of His servants. He is above all this and cannot be harmed by the disobedience of transgressors, nor benefit from the obedience of the righteous.
The Shariah is, in other words, concerned, from the beginning to the end, with the benefits of Allah’s creatures.
The purpose of the Shariah is to protect the essential interests which are the main rights of humans in this life.
These are, by definition, essential to normal order in society as well as to the survival and spiritual well being of individuals, so much so that their destruction and collapse will precipitate chaos and collapse of normal order in society. The Shariah seeks to protect and promote these values and validates measures for their preservation and advancement.
The essential interests are enumerated at five.
- deen, religion, faith
- life
- mind, intellect, reasoning
- property, wealth and
- progeny, offspring, lineage, familial relations, and closely related to it is the human honor
These are the benefits or necessities of an honorable human existence. Bringing about benefits and removing harm is essential to people. Anything that protects these is a benefit and anything that emaciates them is a harm and overcoming it is a benefit. Shariah brings them, strengthens them, preserves, and protects them. These are not the only goals, there are many sub-goals, and behind every ruling, there is a goal and a wisdom. However, these have been identified as 5 basic necessities of life.
In order to understand how to apply, we have to know the ranking of the necessities and the priorities among them. The goal to protect the deen takes precedence over the other four.
Protection of Deen
The primary goal of Shariah is to preserve and protect deen. Deen is what differentiates human being from the other creations of Allah. It is part of the honor that Allah gives to humanity. Therefore, it has to be protected.
Allah says: This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed my favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (deen). (al Mai’dah 5/3)
Shariah makes it forbidden to afflict people in their faith or to force them to embrace another religion even if this other religion is Islam.
Allah says:
There is no compulsion in religion. (al Baqarah 2/256)
At the same time, there are laws that help to protect Islam from anything which might affect it. Indeed Islam prevents anything that leads to disobedience and disbelieving, by performing the punishments and stopping the guilty according to the law. Allah the Exalted obligated the community and the government to protect deen, to ease the means of practicing it. Thus, it must defend it; prevent every thing that leads to disobedience and disbelieving, by stopping the guilty and performing the punishments according to the law.
Jihad is one of the means Shariah has legislated in order to do and achieve this.
Fight against them until there is no more persecution, and devotion will be to Allah (alone). If they stop (persecuting you), let there be no hostility except against the aggressors. (al Baqara 2/193)
Protection of human life
Life is one of Allah’s gifts to human, thus it is sacred and no one has the right to trespass it, even the person himself. Islam guarantees a good and noble life for humanity; thus forbidding humiliation, annoyance, and harm.
Shariah forbids killing and dictates the most severe punishment for it in this life and in the hereafter. It also prohibits injuring people, harming them physically or even symbolically. It allows and encourages people to live honorably.
“Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication; and any that does this (not only) meets punishment.” (al Furqan 25/68)
Shariah gives the wronged person the right to ask for fair and just punishment for his/her opponent.
Allah the Exalted says: “Nor take life – which Allah has made sacred – except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law).” (al Isra 17/33)
The Islamic Law of Equality/Retaliation is one important warranty that prevents the spreading of crime. The person, who knows that killing another person will definitely lead to his/her own death, will avoid committing such crime; consequently, people will feel safe, live in peace, and enjoy the right of living.
Allah the Exalted says: “There is (security of) life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O people of reason, so that you may become mindful.” (al Baqara 2/179)
Shariah considers aggression or assault upon human life as a great crime and one of the seven serious crimes in life, which destroys both deen and life.
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Avoid the seven great destructive sins.” The people enquire, “O Allah’s Messenger! What are they?” He said, “To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause, to eat up Riba (usury), to eat up an orphan’s wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse, chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 2766)
Shariah considers the aggression or assault upon one soul as equal to the aggression or assault upon the entire human race.
Allah the Exalted says: “On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.” (al Mai’dah 5/32)
Shariah protects humanity. It obligates the community to look after the poor and give them the basic needs, shelter, food, drink, clothing and other needs of life. It obligates charity and almsgiving, which come under the law of cooperation and helping one another among individuals and organizations to achieve social solidity in the society.
To preserve and keep this great principle (protecting the lives of people), the Shariah legislates Jihad for the sake of protecting the weak from prosecution and death.
“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect; and raise for us from You one who will help! Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and the disbelievers fight in the cause of taghut: So fight against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.” (an Nisa 4/75-76)
Allah commands to preserve human life even if this involves the commission of a sin. An example of this is that in Islam eating pork is forbidden and a sin, but if a Muslim is in a situation that they have to choose between dying out of hunger or eating pork, then they should eat some of the pork that is enough for them to preserve their life.
“He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit] – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (an Nahl 16/115)
Another aspect of preserving life in Shariah are very strict laws about the burden of proof. Capital punishment cannot be applied in Islam, until the proofs prove the guilt of the accused beyond doubt.
Protection of the mind
The mind, the ability to reason, and the ability to understand are properties of humanity, which Allah the Exalted gives to us and honors us above the other creations.
“We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of our creation.” (al Isra 17/ 70)
Islam considers the mind entrusted and responsible for religious and worldly responsibilities. It is also the biggest reason that makes them subject to accountability in this life and in the hereafter. The mind leads anyone, who thinks deeply and reasonably of this universe, to the existence of Allah the Exalted and His characteristics.
“Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed Signs for men of understanding.” (Al-i Imran 3/190)
Protecting the intellect from any disease is an objective of the Shariah. Shariah makes sure intellect is a source of benefit to the society. It promotes education for all and makes it a right for everyone.
Shariah also states that if the intellect gets corrupted, it becomes harmful to the individual and to the society and Shariah fights strongly against such corruption. Anything that affects the intellect is forbidden.
Islam forbids alcohol and intoxicants in all its forms and considers it a satanic abomination and deceiving to humans, in which Satan wants to destroy the relationship between the person and Allah the Exalted by making him/her imbibe alcohol and keep him/her away from prayer and other worship. In addition, Satan, in this way, intends to destroy the social relationships between people.
Allah the Exalted says: “O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handwork. So shun them so you may be successful.
Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?” (al Mai’dah 5/90-91)
Besides intoxicants there is another thing that can destroy intellect, which is non physical harm. Non-physical harm is done by e.g. watching or listening to harmful things like sexually inappropriate things, pornography, music ect. The brain is the first thing that is stimulated/harmed in cases such as pornography and similar things. By prohibiting watching things like this and listening to music Shariah protects you from all of this and protects pure thought and protects you from negative thoughts and this is part of protecting intellect.
“And of mankind he who purchases idle talks to mislead (people) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment.” (Luqman 31/6)
Al-Wahidi, along with other scholars of Tafsir (explaining the Qur’an), said that “idle talk” in this Ayah is singing. Ibn Abbas, Ibn Masud, Mujahid and Ikrimah gave this explanation. Ibn Masud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “By Allah, whom there is no god except Him, idle talk is singing.”
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection.” (al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 69, Number 494)
Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. (an Noor 24/30)
On the other side, Shariah strongly recommends to actively support the mind. Thus Shariah encourages to seek knowledge and values those who seek knowledge.
Allah will raise up in rank those of you who believe and have been given knowledge. (al Mudjadila 58/11)
Are those who know and those who do not know alike? Only the men of understanding are mindful. (az Zumar 39/9)
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 224)
Protection of progeny
In order to maintain life and pass the torch to generations to come, Shariah aims to protect progeny. Sexual reproduction is the means that keeps human species in existence, and for that reason, Allah the Exalted creates the sexual impulse in both sexes. Allah the Exalted calls humans to keep their progeny by forming families through marriage, which Islam considers is the only lawful way of having children and maintaining our species.
Islam encourages marriage and states its rules, restraints, and duties in a perfect social system, which organizes the relationships between the husband and wife and among the family in general. Marriage is very valuable in Islam and it has a big share in Shariah teachings and rulings.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Marriage is part of my sunnah, and whoever does not follow my sunnah has nothing to do with me. Get married, for I am heartened by your great numbers before the nations (of other Prophets).” (Sunan Ibn Majah 1864)
Marriage in Islamic terms is nikah. The original meaning of the word nikah is the physical relationship between man and woman. It is also used secondarily to refer to the contract of marriage, which makes that relationship lawful. Therefore marriage is only possible between man and woman. Same-sex marriage is strictly forbidden.
O humanity! Be mindful of your Lord Who created you from a single soul, and from it He created its spouse, and through both He spread countless men and women. (an Nisa 4/1)
And one of His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves so that you may find comfort in them. And He has placed between you compassion and mercy. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect. (ar Rum 30/21)
And (remember) when Lot scolded (the men of) his people, (saying), “Do you commit a shameful deed that no man has ever done before? You lust after men instead of women! You are certainly transgressors.” But his people’s only response was to say, “Expel them from your land! They are a people who wish to remain chaste!” So We saved him and his family except his wife, who was one of the doomed. We poured upon them a rain (of brimstone). See what was the end of the wicked! (al A’raf 7/80-84)
Marriage is protected by law from the abuse of either of the spouses, or the abuse of people outside the family. Accusing someone, especially women, of having unlawful sexual relations deserves a strong punishment since spreading such rumors demolishes marriages and is dishonorable. Men and women in society are obligated to protect their chastity, lower their gaze, and deal with one another professionally and in a brotherly fashion. All these teachings are to make sure healthy families are established and children grow up in healthy families.
Illegal sexual intercourse, leads to breaking of family bonds, society, it harms more than husband and wife, it affects their families. Therefore, Islam forbids adultery, any other shameful deeds, and whatever leads to these deeds; such as the mixing of men and women.
“Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).” (al Isra 17/32)
In addition, Islam imposes the wearing of a veil for women in front of strange men to avoid seduction and sexual desire, for in Islam; women are precious jewels protected from being trifled with, misuse, and abuse.
“O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (al Isra 17/59)
Islam also imposes a number of duties on the parents towards their children, among these are to raise and educate them well, to care for them, to meet their needs, and many other things, which are the requirements of ideal parent-hood.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Fear Allah and treat your children equally.” (Bukhari 2587)
A man was with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, when his son came. He kissed him and sat him down on his thigh. Then, his daughter came and she sat to his side. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Why do you not treat them equally?” (Sharh Maʻani al-Athar 3838)
Every child has the right to grow amongst a family. This family is obligated to take care of the children and develop them. In addition, Islam forbids aggression on the child by burying him/her alive or by intentional abortion, and considers it a great sin.
“Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin.” (al Isra 17/31)
Protection of property
People have the right to own and protect their property. Shariah aims to protect people’s wealth and property. Property is the mainstay of life, and it Allah’s, which He the Exalted makes man a guardian over it, and allows him/her to earn them in lawful ways and use them moderately.
Islam encourages work, trading activity, production, and earning money and other property by lawful means in order to enable the individual to earn a living, and it takes elaborate measures to ensure the smooth flow of commercial transactions in the market-place.
“It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” (al Mulk 67/15)
In this regard, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, awakens the Muslims’ desire to work, and considers work as worship that brings the person closer to Allah. He may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“No meal eaten by one of you is better than the meal he eats from the work of his own hands. Verily, the Prophet of Allah, David, upon him be peace, would eat from the work of his own hands.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 1966)
There are two types of earnings, one is pleasant, and the other is noxious. The pleasant earning is the substance that one earns in lawful ways, such as trading, manufacturing, agriculture, and public and private employment.
“O you who believe, eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him ye worship.” (al Baqara 2/172)
The noxious earning is the property that one earns in exploitive ways, such as lending money with interest, bribes, tricks, and trading in goods that are harmful to humanity.
“And do not eat up your property among yourselves for vanities, nor use it as bait for the judges, with intent that ye may eat up wrongfully and knowingly a little of (other) people’s property.” (al Baqara 2/188)
In this regard, Islam has a comprehensive principle.
Allah the Exalted says: “He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure).” (al A’raf 7/ 157)
Thus, any earning that does not harm the person who earns it or others is a lawful and pleasant, and the remainder of the earnings are noxious and forbidden.
Islam also guides how to spend money correctly. It does not allow one to spend as he wishes. Squandering and spending without control and neglecting paying the rights of the poor, are satanic deeds.
Allah the Exalted says: “And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Shayateen; and Shaytaan One is to his Lord (himself) ungrateful.” (al Isra 17/26-27)
Theft is strictly prohibited and punished by the law.
“[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they earned [i.e. committed] as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (al Mai’dah 5/38)
At the same time, it is the state responsibility to ensure, that nobody has to steal out of poverty by providing measure for ensuring just wage rates and just prices, economic assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and the handicapped etc.
Shariah also regulates transactions between people, and states clearly that it has to be built on complete freedom and willingness.
“O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” (an Nisa 4/29)
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: Both parties, the buyer as well as the seller, should not leave unless they are satisfied with the contract. (at Tirmidhi 1248)
Shariah also ensures that wealth does not reach the hands of those who waste it.
“And give not unto the foolish your property which Allah has made a means of support for you, but feed and clothe them therewith, and speak to them words of kindness and justice.
And try orphans (as regards their intelligence) until they reach the age of marriage; if then you find sound judgement in them, release their property to them, but consume it not wastefully and hastily fearing that they should grow up, and whoever (amongst guardians) is rich, he should take no wages, but if he is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable (according to his labour). And when you release their property to them, take witness in their presence; and Allah is All-Sufficient in taking account.” (an Nisa 4/5-6)
The poor have rights in the wealth of the rich through charity.
Allah the Exalted says: “And in their wealth is a recognized right. For the (needy) who asks and the one who is deprived.” (al Ma’arij 70/24-25)
Usury is forbidden as it is a cause of wasting wealth and putting it in the hands of a few rich people.
“Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest.” (al Baqara 2/275)
“O believers! Fear Allah! If you are of the believers relinquish what remains (due) from usury. If you do not do it, then you are in war with Allah and His Messenger.” (al Baqara 2/278-279)
“As for gains granted by Allah to His Messenger from the people of (other) lands, they are for Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and (needy) travelers so that wealth may not merely circulate among your rich. Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it. And whatever he forbids you from, leave it. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment.” (al Hashr 59/7)
Furthermore, Shariah forbids deception and misappropriation of people’s wealth by using wrongful means, etc.
And do not make your oaths a means of deception among yourselves, resulting in the slip of a foot after it was firmly planted, and you taste the evil of having hindered from the path of Allah, and you will suffer a terrible punishment. And do not use an oath by Allah for the purchase of little value, what is with Allah is better for you if you only knew. (an Nahl 16/94-95)
There is one passage in the Quran were these five necessities are highlighted:
Say, “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason.”
And do not approach the orphan’s property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.
And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous. (al An’am 6/151-153)
Shariah enables humans to achieve happiness in this world and the hereafter, by following the law of adopting the good and neglecting the bad. The Shariah takes affirmative and also punitive measures to protect and promote these values.
Shariah does not command anything that is not good for people, and it does not forbid anything that is not bad for them. Behind every single rule, law, command, prohibition, etc. in the Shariah are many wisdoms, although we may not always be able to see them.
Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and forbids them what is wrong and makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them the evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him – it is those who will be the successful. (al A’raf 7/157)