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I'm curious as to how many of you could or DO live in a country with Shariah law. I will voice my opinion after some posts x3

I hear a lot about Saudi Arabia, good and bad. But I can never get an unbiased answer. People who are from there or live there usually love it and will....not admit to negative things. Like you said nowhere is perfect, but I have met people that DID classify S.A as perfect and it irked me.

Like women not being able to drive...That should be a choice.
Forcing women to cover, thats also not good. If a girl is wearing hijab because she is forced, and not for the sake of Allah (swt)...whats the point? The intention isnt there...

What did you mean by cruelty to disadvantaged people?

I don't believe I could say, having never experienced it. However, probably not. I don't like the idea of governments enforcing religious values, because I believe everyone should interpret Islam for themselves. Also, I think that adhering to the rules and values of Islam because it's forced has no reward, unless you would have done it anyway.

I would perhaps like living in a country where law is based on Islamic values, but one has to be careful. I think it is important to stick to basic ideals and not say simply "if it's in the Quran, you can enforce it", because people will take things too far and interpret it in extreme ways.

Many women definatley live high in Saudia, Ive seen tons of those programmes where the Saudi women take you into their homes x3 All family living together, and all have maids.

It seems like there you're either REALLY rich or really poor, is there a Middle Class?

The genocide in Darfur is a terrible situation, why is it America never steps in to help the African countries when they're in serious need unless forced by the UN? Reminds me of Rawanda sad

Kimyanji, I urge you to post pictures of your travels in a separate thread smile I would be happier than a clam on prozac. I cant wait to visit countries like Saudia and Sudan.

Assalamualaykum, again interesting topic for this thread Alhamdulillah, and nice questions sister smile Insha'Allah I'll try to answer this, however I'm not going to be favoring any country in particular, but give a neutral view based on Islam Insha'Allah...I believe that is our main concern.

Ok first of all there are a LOT of conflicting ideas out there regarding how the Muslims run their country. Now let me first clear by saying that no country in the world is completely running under the Shari'ah Law in Islam. Saudi Arabia although known for practicing Islamic Laws, only practices 10-15% of it at best. That is what the well known Islamic scholars who lived there says, and they know better than I do.

Sometimes I think people are ignorant I mean the Muslims specially when they go against the Islamic Shari'ah Law, less they know they are going against Islam itself. The Shari'ah Law is not something some political leaders came up with, these are the Authentic Islamic Laws as prescribed by Allah and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (saw), and can be found in the Authentic sources the Qur'an and the Sahih Hadeeth. Now then if that is the case, there shouldn't be any arguments into implementing them in a country now is there, not from Muslims at least. Because if Muslims believe in Islam, and apply Islam in their daily personal lives, they should also be ready to implement the Islamic state system for a country whenever it's possible, the one who rejects it, rejects Islam, Auzbillah. Islam is a complete way of life, and Allah (swt) is the Only One Who Has the Right to Legislate our affairs, be in in our personal day to day activities or our country affairs. Islam is a complete way of life, and every Muslim who believes in Islam wholeheartedly should be rather eager to have the proper Islamic Shariah implemented in their countries. Because at the end of the day, Islam is what truly liberates us, protects us and helps us to be the best we possibly can be Insha'Allah.

Now about the current scenario, lets not mix how the Muslims deal with things and what Islam is please. This is a common misconception from the people. There are many things in KSA that are not Islamic, while there are some that are. Muslims (followers of Islam) and Islam is not the same. We as human beings have our short comings, but Islam is perfect because it is the Word of Allah, Alhamdulillah. It is true, that there are many ill practices in the Middle East countries, and many things that are not fair. I have lived there for 9 years, so I can give my fair share of information, and I know it's the people and not the religion. Just like some aforementioned points made above in the past posts, yes women not being allowed to drive, and certain things being forced like the niqab (which is not compulsory in Islam) and like how the south asian people are treated like the labor people being looked down upon and treated unfairly and sometimes horribly are very true unfortunately. Again that's the people who are being unjust and the religion has nothing to do here. If you want the best example of a human being following Islam learn from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) the best example for Islam, Alhamdulillah.

But now let me point out, let's not always get our ideas from what the media says. The media is just not happy with Muslims period. They call all of us terrorists, what do you expect? lol...anyways....but now let me point out some of the positivity of the implementation of some of the Islamic laws in Saudi Arabia. Alhamdulillah because of some of the Islamic Laws, the least rate of rape is in KSA. One of the least amount of robbery is in KSA. You can leave your car out there in the streets, no one will steal anything. The punishments are so strong that no one dare do such things. There are some blacksheeps in every community but those are the minority. Because of these Islamic Laws, Alhamdulillah, the people can sleep at ease and not worry as much as they would have in other countries. When non-Muslims living in KSA are asked, they say they find peace and security. A scholar said that he lived for like a decade in KSA, I think you heard of Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, he said he never locked his front door, and nobody ever entered, Subhanallah. How many countries can boast that kind of confidence, I have never heard of any other country like that till now.

Also another thing to be pointed out is that the Shari'ah Law can be made flexible depending on situation. When you try learning more about Islam, you will realize that Insha'Allah. While I agree Islam should not be forced on people, but then which country don't force their laws on the inhabitants of their country? For instance in America if someone does robbery, or murders, is he allowed to roam free, or is he forced in trial for the benefit of the innocent citizens who might become the victim of this perpetrator. Every country has it's laws that are mandatory and forced on it's citizens made on some guidelines and moral values. We Muslims believe the best values and guidelines comes from Islam only, since that is the Command of our Lord, Allah (swt). Now the proper implementation is something of a matter of questioning, of choosing the proper people who understand Islam and are well suited in helping to implement it. That is what we should really question, the people, not the religion Islam or to the question of whether it should be implemented. Any true Muslim must agree that it has to be implemented, the only question is how.

Finally one more point, if women are made to wear proper clothing not necessarily the black cloak or the Abaya as they call it in Arabic, but if they are required to wear full clothing for the benefit of modesty of the citizens, then why not, it is for the benefit for everyone, regardless they do it for Allah or not. I rather think women should not be allowed to run naked or in skimpy clothes cuz that is rather harmful for the citizens and of course young children. It spreads and propagates promiscuity which is harmful for the society. I believe even in America being completely naked is illegal in some states, and it makes sense because it is bad for the people and that can lead to many problems, and they realized it to some extent, so there you go. My request to Muslims and non Muslims would be if you want to know about Islam refer to the Authentic sources, the Noble Qur'an and the Sahih Hadith, and not to look at the Muslim people in general because there is a world of a difference between the both. If you want practical examples for Islam, the best examples are that of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and his Sahabas. Thanks for coming here and reading my rather long post those who did, hope this benefits you Insha'Allah, Jazakallah, Alhamdulillah, and as to the question of if I can live in a country with proper Islamic Shariah Law, then the answer is a yes, and I would love to do so, but that is a dream for me now, as we struggle to establish the Law of Allah (swt) the Best of Laws in our countries, Assalamualaykum smile