In Sharia (Islamic law), the rights and protections for religious minorities were historically centered on the concept of the dhimma, a “contract of protection” between the state and non-Muslim subjects.
16.2 Minority Rights and Protections Under Sharia Read More »
Non-Muslims are not treated identically in the Qur’an or Islamic tradition. Sharia (Islamic law) contains classifications for how different groups of people are treated.
16.1 Minority Categories Under Islamic Rule and Infidels Read More »
Islam Module 16 explains how non-Muslim minorities were classified and treated under classical Islamic rule. It focuses especially on the category of dhimmis, usually Jews and Christians, who were considered protected non-Muslim communities under Sharia.
16.0 Islam Module 16: Minorities Under Islamic Rule Read More »
These examples show that Muslim-majority countries can have varying implementations of Sharia: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey.
15.9 Sharia Comparison: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey Read More »
It is estimated over 90% of Turkey’s population identifies as Muslim. Turkey provides an example of a legal system in a Muslim-majority country where government is formally separate from Sharia.
15.8 Turkey: Secularism Without Sharia Read More »
As of 2026, Indonesia’s population is estimated to be over 280 million, making it the 4th most populous country in the world.
It is also the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, with about 87% of the population identifying as Muslim (roughly 240+ million people). The overwhelming majority identify as Sunni Muslims.
15.7 Indonesia: Sharia in a Democratic System Read More »
Pakistan provides an example of a system where Islamic law and a Western-style legal system exist together. It is a parliamentary republic, which means leaders are elected, and laws are created through a legislative process.
15.6 Pakistan: British Common Law and Sharia Read More »
Iran provides an example of a system where religion is not only connected to government, but formally built into its structure. It is an Islamic theocratic republic, which means it combines elements of democracy, such as elections, with a system of religious oversight.
15.5 Iran: Islamic Republic and Sharia Read More »
Saudi Arabia is a theocracy and provides one of the clearest examples of a modern state where Islam and governance are closely connected.
It is an absolute monarchy, which means the ruling royal family holds most of the political power, and there is no elected national body that can make laws on its own.
15.4 Saudi Arabia: Monarchy and Sharia Read More »
In this example, we will compare inheritance laws across five Muslim-majority countries. Qur’an 4:11 states: “…for the male is the share of two females…”
15.3 Inheritance Laws: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey Read More »
