What’s Missing From the Conversation About Sharia Law

In a recent article in the Austin American-Statesman, Rayan Rafay takes offense at the State of Texas moving to ban the application of Sharia law. He describes Sharia as prayer, charity, kindness to neighbors, honesty in business, and moral living.

If that were the entire definition, there would be no debate.

No one in Texas is trying to ban Muslims from praying five times a day. No one is banning charity, modesty, or honoring one’s parents. The Constitution protects the free exercise of religion for Muslims, Jews, Christians, and everyone else.

But Sharia is not only a set of personal spiritual practices. It is also a legal framework — one that, in various countries and interpretations, governs marriage, divorce, inheritance, criminal punishment, testimony standards, and the status of women and non-Muslims.

That dimension is........

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