The idiom ‘sharì'a’ means ‘path to the water hole’ and it is the term used to refer to laws applied, in addition to the basic code of the Quran, when dealing with matters of crime and punishment.

Shari'a law is man’s interpretation of God’s law mixed up with traditions and customs and abuse of human rights. God’s Law is the Quran and ONLY the Quran. God states very clearly that the only source of knowledge we need to turn to for guidance on all matters, including law, is the Quran.

Chapter 17, verse 46
We place shields around their minds, to prevent them from understanding it, and deafness in their ears. When you preach your Lord using the Quran alone, they run away in aversion.

God says that the Quran is a complete book, fully detailed and nothing is left out of it. Why then would we need to turn to man-made laws when God has given us everything we need to guide us when it comes to crime and punishment?

Chapter 6, verse 114
Shall I seek other than God as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognise that it has been revealed from your Lord truthfully. You shall harbour no doubts.

If God tells us that the Quran is a scripture that will give us knowledge and guide us, why then do we need the interpretation of a few men to direct us in matters of law? Anyone who believes in the words of the Quran can understand its commandments.

Chapter 7, verse 52
We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with knowledge, guidance and mercy for the people who believe.

Many Muslims turn to hadith and sunnah to corroborate the shari'a law but God tells us that it is the Quran we should be turning too and not listen to the conjecture of hadith.

Chapter 12, verse 111
In their history, there is a lesson for those who possess intelligence. This is not a fabricated hadith: this confirms all previous scriptures, provides the details of everything, and is a beacon and mercy for those who believe.

There is no cutting off of hands, or stoning to death of women, in the Quran. In fact the Quran discourages capital punishment and sites the law of equivalence.

Chapter 2, verses 178-179
O you who believe, equivalence is the law decreed for you when dealing with murder - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. If one is pardoned by the victim's kin, an appreciative response is in order, and an equitable compensation shall be paid. This is an alleviation from your Lord and mercy. Anyone who transgresses beyond this incurs a painful retribution. Equivalence is a lifesaving law for you, O you who possess intelligence, that you may be righteous.

And whatever happened to forgiveness? Those who insist shari'a law is God's law are sadly misguided and following their own egos as gods. God is compassionate and forgiving. God is the ultimate judge and to God we shall return. No human is free of sin so he who is, cast the first stone.