Nonie Darwish's Objections to Islamic Law: An Analytical Review of Her Claims Regarding Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Arab Laws

Abstract

This paper critically examines the allegations made by Nonie Darwish, a former Muslim, regarding Islamic law (Sharia) and its purported origins in traditional Arab laws. Darwish claims that many of the laws in Islam were borrowed from pre-Islamic Arab customs, an assertion that has sparked significant debate. This study analyzes Darwish’s views, particularly her argument that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) copied from the legal systems of pre-Islamic Arabia. Through a detailed examination of Quranic verses, Hadiths, and Islamic legal principles, the paper refutes this claim by demonstrating the divine and distinct nature of Islamic law, which is based on revelation, not pre-existing Arab traditions. The paper further explores the historical context of the laws in question and their theological and legal foundations in Islam, showing that Islamic law was introduced as a reform and divergence from the practices of the pre-Islamic Arab world. Ultimately, this paper aims to clarify the misconceptions surrounding the origins of Islamic law and respond to the criticisms posed by Nonie Darwish.