What does Al-shrʿ mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-shrʿ

Discover the meaning of the term Al-shrʿ (شرع) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-shrʿ

Al-shrʿ according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

In language: it means explaining and making manifest; one says: 'God laid down (shara'a) such and such', that is, made it a path and a doctrine; from this comes mashra'a.

Al-shrʿ according to Mu'jam al-Mustalahat al-Fiqhiyya

Explaining and making manifest. Ibn Faris said: the shin, ra' and 'ayn form one root, a thing opened in an expanse in which it lies; of this is the shari'a, the watering place of the one who drinks.

Al-shrʿ according to Al-Qamus al-Fiqhi

Legislated (with shara'a: he drew near to the road; with yaf'aluhu: he began doing it; of a thing: its top and manifest part; of religion: he established its sunna and expounded it. And in the Quran: 'He has laid down for you in religion what He enjoined upon Nuh, and what We revealed to you, and what We enjoined upon Ibrahim, Musa and 'Isa: to establish religion and not divide in it; grievous to the polytheists is that to which you call them; God chooses for Himself whom He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns back' (Ash-Shura, 13). Of a command: he made it legislated and commended. Of a road: he laid it out and leveled it. In a matter or speech, shuru'an: he plunged into it.

Al-shrʿ according to Maqalid al-'Ulum (As-Suyuti)

It is the institution that leads to the Truth.

Al-shrʿ according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

Tracing out the clear road, later borrowed as a technical term.

Al-shrʿ according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

What God made manifest to His servants as religion; its substance is the established, constant way coming from the Prophet (may God's prayer and peace be upon him); so it is the Legislator, upon him prayer and peace, who received it from God Most High, and God Most High is the one who laid down for us of the religion what He laid down.

Related terms: Al-shrʿ