What source might Muslim leaders turn for guidance to shape their society and government?

Answer 1

As concerns Muslim regimes in the most general sense, Laws come from three major and conflicting traditions.

1) Tribal Ritual and Practice: Many Muslims, especially Arabs, but not exclusively them, still live as loyal members of their tribe or clan. Depending on the country, some are more open about it than others. There are tribal and cultural traditions that while not written down are generally observed and enforced. A strong negative example is the tradition of Honor Killings of Defiled Women. A strong positive example is Communal Welfare. They turn to these sources because they have been in place for centuries and that age, in their minds, yields stability.

2) Islamic Law as Perfected by Shari'a: Contrary to popular opinion Shari'a is not Islamic Law itself but the process by which the Islamic Law is modified. Regardless, Islamic Law is the Law given in the Qur'an, Hadith, and "Biography of the Prophet" as interpreted by Islamic Scholarship throughout the ages. A strong negative example is the Stoning of Adulterers. A strong positive example is that all are Equal Before the Law. The leadership sometimes turns to this since it is believed to have come from God and thus has the moral high-ground.

3) Western Law: This is self-explanatory and comes from the Western Enlightenment tradition. A strong negative example is the support of Ardent Capitalism. A strong positive example is the Freedom of Speech. The leadership sometimes turns to Western Law since Western countries (and those ruled in a similar style) are the most successful countries in the world. Additionally, more and more people across the world want democracy to determine their own futures and Western Law is the seat of democracy.

Answer 2

As concerns Muslim societies and regimes in the most general sense, Laws come from three major and conflicting traditions.

1) Islamic Law as Perfected by Shari'a:Contrary to popular opinion Shari'a is not Islamic Law itself but the process by which the Islamic Law is modified. Regardless, Islamic Law is the Law given in the Qur'an, Hadith, and "Biography of the Prophet" as interpreted by Islamic Scholarship throughout the ages. A strong negative example is the Stoning of Adulterers. A strong positive example is that all are Equal Before the Law. The leadership sometimes turns to this since it is believed to have come from God and thus has the moral high-ground.

2) Tribal Ritual and Practice: Many Muslims, especially Arabs, but not exclusively them, still live as loyal members of their tribe or clan. Depending on the country, some are more open about it than others. There are tribal and cultural traditions that while not written down are generally observed and enforced. A strong negative example is the tradition of Honor Killings of Defiled Women. A strong positive example is Communal Welfare. They turn to these sources because they have been in place for centuries and that age, in their minds, yields stability.

3) Western Law: This is self-explanatory and comes from the Western Enlightenment tradition. A strong negative example is the support of Ardent Capitalism. A strong positive example is the Freedom of Speech. The leadership sometimes turns to Western Law since Western countries (and those ruled in a similar style) are the most successful countries in the world. Additionally, more and more people across the world want democracy to determine their own futures and Western Law is the seat of democracy.