sha-REE-ah
Sharia is the Islamic legal system derived from the Quran and Hadith, encompassing religious law, moral guidance, and legal principles that govern many aspects of Muslim life. In word games, it's a valuable 6-letter word worth good points.
9
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
💡 Pro Tip:
SHARIA offers good value with its 6 letters and moderate point total. The 'H' (4 points) provides decent scoring potential, especially when placed on premium squares.
Sharia (also spelled Shariah or Shari'a) is the Islamic legal framework derived from the Quran and Hadith (prophetic traditions) that guides religious, personal, and civil conduct for Muslims. The term literally means "the path to water" in Arabic, symbolizing the life-giving guidance it provides to believers.
As a comprehensive system, Sharia encompasses various aspects of life including worship (ibadah), personal conduct (mu'amalat), criminal law (hudud), and family matters. It serves both as spiritual guidance and practical legal framework, though its implementation and interpretation vary significantly across different Islamic societies and schools of thought.
In contemporary usage, the term often appears in discussions about law, religion, and governance, making it valuable vocabulary for academic, journalistic, and interfaith contexts. Understanding this word demonstrates cultural literacy and religious awareness.
For word game enthusiasts, SHARIA offers solid scoring potential with its balanced letter distribution. The 6-letter length makes it suitable for various board positions, while the 'H' provides moderate point value that can be enhanced with premium squares.
The word "Sharia" derives from the Arabic root ش-ر-ع (sh-r-ʿ), which relates to concepts of "path," "way," or "passage." The full Arabic term "sharī'ah" (شريعة) literally means "the path to water," a metaphor of profound significance in desert cultures where water represents life itself.
The progression into English followed this path:
The term entered English academic and legal discourse in the early 1800s as European scholars began systematic studies of Islamic civilization. Various transliterations exist (Sharia, Shariah, Shari'a), but "Sharia" has become the most common form in contemporary English, recognized in major dictionaries and used in academic, legal, and journalistic contexts worldwide.
Connected concepts in Islamic law
Fiqh
Islamic jurisprudence and legal interpretation
Hadith
Prophetic traditions and sayings
Sunnah
Prophetic practices and customs
Ijma
Scholarly consensus in Islamic law
Qiyas
Analogical reasoning in jurisprudence
Equivalent concepts in other systems
Jurisprudence
The theory and philosophy of law
Canon Law
Religious law in Christian traditions
Halakha
Jewish religious law and jurisprudence
Dharma
Righteous path in Hindu and Buddhist traditions
Legal Code
Systematic collection of laws
Alternative Spellings
Shariah, Shari'a
Different transliteration conventions from Arabic
Plural Form
Sharias
Multiple Islamic legal systems or interpretations
Related Adjectives
Islamic legal principles and system
Judicial body applying Islamic law
Following Islamic legal requirements
Core tenets of Islamic jurisprudence
"The university offers a comprehensive course on comparative legal systems, including Sharia, common law, and civil law traditions."
"Islamic banking institutions must ensure their financial products are Sharia-compliant to serve Muslim customers effectively."
"The scholar's research examines how different schools of Islamic jurisprudence interpret Sharia principles in contemporary contexts."
News Article (2023): "The new Islamic finance center will operate under Sharia guidelines to attract Muslim investors."
Academic Paper (2022): "Understanding Sharia requires examining both its classical sources and modern applications."
Legal Document (2024): "The arbitration panel will consider both secular law and relevant Sharia principles in family disputes."
Total base points: 9 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 | Consonants: 3
High-value letters: H (4 pts)
Words using the same letters
6-letter anagrams:
Can be extended to:
💡 Tip: Look for opportunities to add S for SHARIAS (7 letters)
If you can't play SHARIA, consider these subwords:
Studied extensively in comparative law, religious studies, and Middle Eastern studies programs. Essential vocabulary for students of Islamic civilization, international law, and interfaith dialogue.
"Sharia-compliant" banking and investment products represent a multi-trillion dollar global industry, making this term crucial for financial professionals and investors worldwide.
Many countries incorporate elements of Sharia into their legal frameworks, particularly in family law matters. Understanding this term is essential for international lawyers and diplomats.
Frequently appears in discussions about religious freedom, legal pluralism, and cultural integration, making it important vocabulary for informed citizenship and interfaith understanding.
Not synonymous with Islam
Sharia is one aspect of Islamic civilization
Varies by interpretation
Different schools have different approaches
Context matters
Academic vs. political discussions differ
Pronunciation: sha-REE-ah
Not "SHAR-ee-ah" or "shar-EYE-ah"
ISLAMIC
Relating to Islam
HALAL
Permissible in Islam
HADITH
Prophetic traditions
QURAN
Islamic holy book
IMAM
Islamic religious leader
MOSQUE
Place of Islamic worship
JIHAD
Spiritual struggle in Islam
FATWA
Islamic legal ruling
ULEMA
Islamic scholars
Other valuable 6-letter words in Scrabble
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