Sharia Law explained for Christians: Islamic politics and voting
Updated: 2 days ago
In this blog...
Uncover how Islamic legal systems contrast with biblical principles and impact government structures and personal freedoms.
Examine key differences between religious guidance and constitutional law, showing how political decisions affect Christian living.
Discover why understanding these cultural and legal shifts helps believers vote wisely to protect their faith.
Did you know that more and more Western countries now have Sharia councils and laws? Currently, between 30 and 85 Sharia councils are operating across England and Wales. In Texas, Muslims are trying to build Muslim communities, where in the mosques, sharia can be enforced. And take a look at what’s happening in Michigan, where the city of Hamtramck was the first in the nation (2021) to elect an all-Muslim city council. That could, and in our opinion definitely will, facilitate voting for Sharia-friendly laws.
As Christ-followers, we need to understand what Sharia is and what it teaches because it can dramatically shape a nation. This matters most at election time, when your vote helps shape the future of our country. If Sharia continues taking root in America, it will change how we live. It will also dictate to us how we can or cannot practice our faith.
Only a few Sharia laws fit with Western values, but most go against the U.S. Constitution, hurt people, and go against God's Word. Some people say Sharia is just like the Ten Commandments. Others say it is like the Constitution or like church rules. Is that true?
Our goal here is not to stir up fear or anger toward Muslims but to be wary of an unbiblical ideology being introduced into our communities and our government. To our Muslim friends reading this post, we understand that not all Muslims seek to enforce Sharia law in the U.S., and many live peacefully in this country! We invite you to visit our resources for Muslims to learn more about Jesus, so you can learn more about the grace He offers instead of legalism.
What Is Sharia Law?
Sharia is the ideology of Islam turned into religious, judicial, and political law. So Sharia rules every part of life, not just faith.
The word means "the path" or "the decree." Sharia does not separate religion and government. It joins them into one. Under Sharia, everyone must obey the rules of Islam, even if they are non-Muslim. Read more in our post on talking with your Muslim friends about jihad and Sharia Law.
Sharia (Islamic law), when in control, impacts politics and governments by determining who holds power, how laws are made, and how citizens are governed. It dictates political authority and governments in all areas, including final authority over state decisions so no law passed can contradict Islamic principles. Sharia also regulates public behavior and family laws; it integrates religious giving into the state's welfare and financial control systems, and imposes strict national regulatory policies to oversee Sharia-compliant financial systems.
It is worth noting that the Sharia Law we are discussing in this article is from the Sunni Muslim practice. About 87-90% of Muslims are Sunni, so they are the dominant influence by numbers in the world. Shia Islam, found mostly in Iran, comprises about 10% of the Muslim population.
Sunni Muslims follow two main sources. The first is the Quran, their holy book. The second is the hadith. These are the sayings and actions of Muhammad.
What Are Some Sharia Laws?
Sharia Laws can be very harsh. Here are six examples of ones that are influential in public and private life:
Anyone who leaves Islam is put to death (Sahih al-Bukhari 3017)
Anyone who speaks against Muhammad or the Quran can be put to death (Surah 33:57; cf. Sunan Abi Dawud 4361; Sahih al-Bukhari 4037)
A thief has his hand cut off (Surah 5:38)
A husband may beat his wife if she disobeys him (Surah 4:34)
Men may marry young girls, even before puberty (Surah 65:4; Ibn Kathir on 65:4)
A woman gets half as much as a man when a family member dies and leaves money (Surah 4:11). In court, her word counts half as much as a man's (Surah 2:282)
Laws like these show us why Muslims who live under Sharia need the hope and freedom of Jesus. By their nature, these Islamic laws oppress people and take away individual freedoms.
Is Sharia Different for Shia Muslims?
Shia Muslims have many common laws like the Sunnis, but they also have different laws derived from the hadith. Learn more about how Sunni and Shia Muslims differ. Here are two examples.
Mut'a (short-term marriage): A man may marry a woman for a few hours, days, or weeks. Then the marriage ends, and he pays her for her time and services. Many people outside Islam say this is prostitution with a religious label.
Khums (the one-fifth tax): Shia Muslims must give 20% of their extra money to their religious leaders.
Is Sharia Law the Same as the Ten Commandments or the U.S. Constitution?
Both Sunni and Shia Islamic laws go against God's Word, against Christians, and against the U.S. Constitution. They cannot fit together. They are a real danger to many people. The newer movement of “tolerance” tries to convince us otherwise, but when there is an ideology that is exclusive and directly goes against the morals and laws of the land, it is dangerous to accept it under the banner of “tolerance.”
Sharia is different from both the Ten Commandments and the US Constitution. It is built on a different ideology. It treats people differently. It also sees the government as part of the ideology of Islam and as the driving force to enforce it. Some people now say Sharia is just a moral code or a set of cultural rules, but that is just not true.
1) How Is Sharia Different From the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments teach to love and honor God and love and care for our neighbour. Sharia, on the other hand, puts Muslims above everyone else.
Jesus said the heart of the commandments is "loving God and loving one another" (Matt 22:34-40). But Sharia:
Puts Muslims above all other people (Surah 3:110)
Makes Christians and Jews pay a special tax "while they are humbled" (Surah 9:29). This makes them "dhimmis," or second-class citizens.
Calls Christians and Jews who reject Islam the "worst of creatures" (Surah 98:6)
Treats women as lower than men (Surah 4:34)
Critics often point to Old Testament laws as a parallel to Sharia. While the Old Testament contains legal codes regarding crime and punishment, Christian theology traditionally categorizes these laws into three distinct frameworks:
Ceremonial Laws: Rules governing worship, rituals, and sacrifice. Christians believe these were fulfilled by Jesus Christ and are no longer binding.
Civil Laws: Legal and administrative codes designed specifically for the ancient nation of Israel in its historical context, which are no longer legally active today.
Moral Laws: Universal ethical standards—summarized in the Ten Commandments—reflecting God's character and design for humanity. These enduring moral principles serve as a foundational basis for modern legal systems.
2) How Is Sharia Different From the U.S. Constitution?
The Constitution limits the power of government and does not allow a certain religious ideology to take over. Sharia makes Islam the government.
The Constitution keeps the government in check. It protects everyone’s right to worship. It can also be changed when the nation needs it, often called a living document.
Sharia puts Islam in charge, gives no freedom of religion, and its laws can only be changed by top religious leaders of the Muslim world.
Many of America's laws were built on biblical values. That does not make America a Christian country. But it does mean that, according to foundational U.S law, every person has equal value and equal rights, because we are all made in God's image (Genesis 1:27).
How Can Christians Talk With Muslim Friends and Neighbors About Sharia Law?
You can talk about Sharia with love, respect, and truth, and use it to point to Jesus, as we should always be doing in conversations with our Muslim friends. Jesus loved everyone He met. But He did not hesitate to speak the truth. We should follow His example. Compare the ways of Jesus with what Islam teaches, and point to the grace and truth He brought (John 1:14).
Questions that compare Jesus’ teachings with the practices in the Quran work best. They point the talk back to Jesus, who is the center of our faith. Try these:
The Bible says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28-29). The Quran calls Christians and Jews who reject Islam the "worst of creatures" (Surah 98:6). It also gives women fewer rights (Surah 4:11; 4:34). Could we study these verses together? Why is there such a big difference if, as many Muslims claim, the same God inspired both of them?
I know Islam has strict rules about those who leave the religion. Many of Jesus' followers left Him when they did not like His teaching (John 6:66). He let them go. His disciple Judas turned against Jesus, and Jesus did not punish him either (John 13:21-30). Can we study Jesus together so you can learn more about him?
Jesus taught us to love our enemies (Matt 5:43-48). How is that compared to what the Quran teaches about unbelievers (Surah 9:29)? I’d love to read Jesus’ teachings with you to see the difference. Our post Is Islam a religion of peace? can help you get ready.
Let us remember that the goal is not to win an argument but to show people Jesus. Keep the talk on His teachings, His example, and His ways. Invite your Muslim friends to read the Bible with you, and ask the Holy Spirit to open their hearts.
What Should American Voters Do About Sharia Law?
As American Christians, we should learn the facts, vote, speak up, and pray. Sharia is a growing danger. Some Muslims are working to bring it into American law not just in the future, but in the present. That makes it a threat.
Once Sharia takes hold, it can control people’s lives. In the United States, some mosques implement Sharia law in Muslim communities. These mosques recognize the marriages of Muslim men to multiple women, and help oversee civil issues according to the Quran, not American law.
See our update on the June 2026 hearings in Congress about Sharia Law.
Here are four steps you can take to help stop Sharia Law taking root in the U.S.:
Find out which leaders want to bring Sharia into U.S. law. This is not about one party or the other. It is about keeping Americans safe.
Vote. Voting is a great gift. It lets us choose the right leaders. Each of us should take that choice seriously.
Educate others about Sharia. Share what you know about its dangers and how it changes a country. Speak with truth and grace. This is not about Muslim people, whom God calls us to love. It is about Islam as a system that is trying to find its way into American law.
Pray. Pray for our leaders (1 Tim 2:1-2). Pray for our Muslim neighbors to come to know Jesus.
Why We Cannot Stay Silent
Islam is not just a religion, but a political ideology. We cannot stay quiet while Muslims work to gain support for Sharia behind-the-scenes.
As Christ-followers, we must be proactive in engaging in politics and vote to keep in office leaders who align with biblical values. We also have to acknowledge the growing Muslim influence and population in America and make every effort to reach them with the gospel.
Let us stand for the truth, but let's do it the way Jesus did, "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15):
“...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.”
How You Can Take Action Today as a Christ-follower
There are key resources for you as a Christ-follower that you can use today to be informed about the truth about Islam and how to share the gospel with Muslims.
Subscribe to Call of Love Blog to stay informed about Islam, apologetics, and sharing Christ with Muslims.
Always be prepared to talk about Jesus with Muslims! Watch this free course about key apologetics questions Muslims ask: How To Answer The Most Common Apologetics Questions Muslims Ask
Study the beliefs of Islam in the easy-to-read guide, The Simple Truth, which compares Islam and the Bible side-by-side.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, give me courage to stand up for the truth and principles of Your Word. Please give me eyes to see where I can love Muslims in my life so they could be introduced to the life Jesus offers them. Amen.
About the Author
Call of Love Ministries has been serving the Arab Muslim world for 25 years. Our Vision is serving together to draw Muslims to Christ, equipping Christ-followers with the truth about Islam so they can better share the gospel.
