And the British are surprised by this, because they have assumed all these years that Sharia is benign and completely compatible with Western pluralistic societies, and that only greasy Islamophobes thought otherwise. In reality, these Sharia courts are simply administering Islamic justice as it is set out in the Qur’an and Sunnah:
Amputation for theft: “The thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent from Allah.” (Qur’an 5:38)
Child marriage:: “The Prophet wrote the (marriage contract) with Aisha while she was six years old and consummated his marriage with her while she was nine years old and she remained with him for nine years (i.e. till his death)” (Bukhari 7.62.88).
Marital rape:: “If a husband calls his wife to his bed [i.e. to have sexual relation] and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning” (Bukhari 4.54.460).
Wife beating:: “Men have authority over women because Allah has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because Allah has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them to beds apart and beat them.” (Qur’an 4:34)
This article notes that one cleric was reported as saying: “A man should not be questioned why he hit his wife because this is something between them.” That cleric was no “extremist”; he was quoting Muhammad, who said: “A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife” (Abu Dawud 2142)
What will British authorities do when they finally realize that what they have been classifying as “extremist” is just ordinary, mainstream Islam? Surrender, probably.
“Sharia courts in the UK are run by extremists who back cutting off criminals’ hands, says Muslim scholar,” by Steve Doughty, Daily Mail, February 28, 2016:
Sharia courts administering Islamic justice in Britain are run by clerics who believe some offenders should have their hands chopped off, an investigation has found.
Muslim scholar Elham Manea said that some clerics also believe girls can be married at the age of 12 and described their prevailing attitude as ‘totalitarian’ and more backward than some parts of Pakistan.
The findings from the human rights specialist come amid continuing controversy over the role of sharia courts, which rule in family and inheritance disputes between Muslims who agree to be bound by the decisions. There are thought to be around 85 operating in Britain.
Last December, Home Secretary Theresa May set up an independent review into their role, amid fears that they discriminate against women.
Professor Manea, who is based at Zurich University, spent four years speaking to clerics at sharia courts in London and the Midlands. Her book on the project concludes that the courts represent ‘closed communities’.
Her findings, published by The Sunday Times, said that they increase ‘segregation, inequality and discrimination’ and can encourage ‘political instability and home-grown terrorism’.
The verdict was strongly disputed by the Muslim Council of Britain, which said it was committed to ensuring sharia courts treat parties with respect and fairness and that they apply ‘rules of natural justice’.
Professor Manea gave examples of incidents involving British sharia courts – which included that of a young woman forced to marry her cousin in Pakistan, who was subsequently raped on their wedding night. The woman appealed to a tribunal in Britain – which found that since she was married there could be no rape.
The professor quoted one cleric saying that ‘puberty is the right age’ for a girl to marry, and that 12 and 13-year-old girls are ‘more or less fully–fledged women’. Another was reported saying ‘a man should not be questioned why he hit his wife because this is something between them’.
Another said it was fair that in matters of inheritance a woman should get half that of a man. Professor Manea also found that a number of the clerics agreed with the idea that some offenders should have their hands chopped off as a form of ‘corporal punishment’….