Islamic Sharia Law and Muslims in the West

2010 Vol. 3: May/June

Traditional Islam assumes that it is impossible for a Muslim to live in a society governed by non-Islamic law. The world is considered to be divided into two parts: (1) the “House of Islam,” where Muslims have political control and sharia (Islamic law) is enforced, and (2) the “House of War,” where Muslims must fight against non-Muslims to establish Islamic political power. Muslims scholars of old often advised that Muslims living in the House of War should migrate back to the House of Islam – meaning back to Muslim states. Radical Salafi scholars still recommend this option to Muslim minorities today.