Sharia is the set of Islamic laws that encompass both the religious and secular practices of Muslims.
Often redundantly referred to as “Sharia law,” Sharia encompasses the legal dimensions of Muslim life. It is akin to halakhah (Jewish law). In fact, not only do Sharia and halakha play similar roles in Muslim and Jewish life, they share in linguistic parallels as well: Just as the Hebrew term carries the meaning of being “the Way,” embedded within the meanings of the Arabic term “Sharia” is the idea of being “the way” or “the path” towards water.
Sharia covers two broad domains: The rights of God, and the rights of man. It informs and regulates most aspects of Muslim life, from how one prays and washes, to how one governs and does business.