Sharia Law Implementation Worldwide

A comprehensive overview of where and how sharia law is implemented across the globe

24-25%

of the world's population is Muslim (approx. 2 billion people)

120-150M

people live under full sharia implementation

500-600M

people live under partial sharia implementation

Full Sharia Implementation

• Saudi Arabia

  Sharia is the sole legal system, governing all aspects of life including criminal law with hudud punishments.

• Iran

  Sharia-based legal system with clerical oversight, though modern civil codes also exist.

• Afghanistan (under Taliban)

  Strict sharia implementation, particularly in criminal and social matters.

• Sudan

  Sharia influences much of the legal system, though application has fluctuated with political changes.

• Brunei

  Implemented sharia criminal code in phases, including strict punishments.

Partial Sharia Implementation

• Pakistan

  Sharia governs personal status (e.g., marriage, divorce) but criminal law is largely secular.

• Nigeria

  Some northern states enforce sharia criminal law, while the south uses secular systems.

• Malaysia

  Sharia applies to Muslims in personal and family matters, but civil law governs other areas.

• Egypt

  Personal status law is sharia-based for Muslims, but constitutional law is largely secular.

• Indonesia

  Aceh province enforces sharia, while the rest of the country uses a civil system.

Symbolic or Limited Application

• India

  Muslims can opt for sharia-based personal law for family matters, but overall legal system is secular.

• Jordan, Morocco, UAE

  Sharia influences personal status laws, but criminal and commercial laws are modernized.

• Turkey

  Secular legal system, though sharia-inspired reforms exist historically.

• Western Countries

  In countries like US, UK, and France, Muslims may use sharia for private matters but national laws prevail.

Important Notes

Sharia is Interpretive: Its application depends on local jurisprudence, government policies, and historical context. For example, Tunisia prohibits polygamy based on reinterpreted Qur'anic principles, while Saudi Arabia permits it.

Regional Diversity: Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia show evolving approaches, blending traditional laws with colonial influences.

Future Trends: Urbanization, education, and activism may further reform sharia in many regions.

Note: Sharia law implementation varies significantly by country and region. This information is based on current data and may change over time.

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