If you’ve ever scrolled through a heated social media thread about global politics, you’ve probably seen the term "Sharia" thrown around like a legal boogeyman. People talk about it as if it’s a single, monolithic handbook that every Muslim country follows to the letter. Honestly? That is just not how it works in the real world.
The question of what country has sharia law isn't answered with a simple list. It’s more like a spectrum. You’ve got places where it’s the whole ballgame, and others where it only pops up when someone is getting a divorce or arguing over a will. It’s messy, it’s deeply political, and as of 2026, it’s changing faster than most Western headlines can keep up with.
The Heavy Hitters: Where Sharia is the Law of the Land
When people ask "what country has sharia law," they’re usually thinking of the "Classic" systems. These are the nations where Islamic jurisprudence isn't just a suggestion; it’s the foundation for the penal code, the economy, and the government structure itself.
Afghanistan is currently the most extreme example. Since the Taliban took back control in 2021, they’ve pretty much scrapped the old constitution in favor of their strict interpretation of the Hanafi school. We’re talking about a system where hudud punishments—the ones you hear about like public lashings or executions—are part of the official legal toolkit. It’s a "sole legal framework" situation. No secular backups.
Then you have Iran. It’s a Shiite theocracy, which makes it fundamentally different from the Sunni-majority states. Everything from the dress code to the banking system is vetted by the Guardian Council. But here’s a weird nuance: Iran’s legal system actually draws a lot from French and Belgian civil law. They just "Islamicize" it. It’s a blend of 19th-century European structure and 7th-century religious dictates.
Saudi Arabia used to be the poster child for uncodified Sharia. For decades, judges just looked at religious texts and made a call. But things have shifted. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has been frantically codifying laws. They recently enacted the Personal Status Law, which basically put the rules for marriage and divorce into a written statute. It’s still Sharia-based, but it’s no longer just "whatever the judge feels like today."
The Mixed Bag: Civil Law with a Sharia Twist
Most of the Muslim world actually operates in a "Mixed System." This is where things get interesting for travelers and expats.
In countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco, the criminal courts look a lot like what you’d see in Europe. They have judges, lawyers, and penal codes. However, Article 2 of the Egyptian Constitution says the "principles of Islamic Sharia are the principal source of legislation."
What does that actually mean on a Tuesday afternoon?
Usually, it means that if you’re a Muslim getting married, divorced, or inheriting a house, you’re in a Sharia court. If you’re caught shoplifting, you’re in a civil court. It’s a dual-track system.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a wild case study right now. As of early 2026, they’ve been leaning hard into secularization to attract global business. They’ve reduced the age of legal majority to 18 and updated the Civil Transactions Law to be more "commercially aligned." They even allow for non-Muslim personal status laws. But—and this is a big but—if a statute is silent on an issue, the judges are still told to look at Sharia principles to fill the gaps.
The Regional Outliers: Aceh and Northern Nigeria
Sometimes, the answer to what country has sharia law depends on which street you’re standing on.
Take Indonesia. It’s the world’s most populous Muslim nation, and for the most part, it’s a secular democracy. Except for Aceh. Aceh is a special autonomous province that was allowed to implement Sharia as part of a peace deal to end a long-running insurgency. There, you’ll see the "Sharia Police" (Wilayatul Hisba) patrolling for "morality" crimes like gambling or being too close to someone of the opposite sex who isn't a relative.
Nigeria has a similar split. The south is governed by common law, but 12 states in the north have implemented Sharia since 1999. It mostly applies to Muslims, but it’s created a massive legal headache for the federal government. You’ll have a Sharia court sentence someone to a harsh punishment, and then a secular appeals court will step in to block it. It’s a constant tug-of-war.
The 2026 Reality: Tech, DNA, and Modernity
A lot of people think Sharia is stuck in the Middle Ages. But in 2026, we’re seeing a push for Ijtihad—which is basically "juristic reasoning" to adapt old rules to new tech.
- DNA Evidence: Many Sharia courts are now debating whether DNA can be used in paternity cases or to prove crimes. Traditionally, you needed four male witnesses for certain offenses. Now, scholars like Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (before his passing) and modern jurists are arguing that science can be a valid "proof."
- Arbitration in the West: Even in places like Austria and Canada, we've seen cases where the government allows private Sharia arbitration for civil disputes. It’s basically like a private contract. If two people agree to settle a business deal according to Sharia, some Western courts are saying, "Sure, as long as it doesn't violate our basic human rights."
What You Actually Need to Know
If you're moving to or doing business in a country that mentions Sharia in its constitution, don't panic, but do your homework.
- Check the "Personal Status" vs. "Penal" distinction. Most countries only use Sharia for family law. If you aren't Muslim, it often won't apply to you at all.
- Look at the "Official School." Is it Hanafi (often more flexible) or Hanbali (generally more rigid)? This changes how laws are interpreted in court.
- Watch the reforms. Nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are rewriting their rulebooks in real-time to fit the 2026 global economy. What was true in a 2010 textbook is likely outdated now.
The world of Islamic law isn't a flat list of "yes" or "no" countries. It’s a complex, evolving landscape where ancient tradition meets 21st-century reality. Basically, it’s a lot more complicated than a "top ten" list would lead you to believe.
Next Steps for Research:
If you are planning to travel or relocate, your first move should be checking the Consular Information Sheets provided by your country's State Department or Foreign Office. These documents specifically outline how local laws—Sharia or otherwise—affect foreign nationals in real-world scenarios. For those looking into the legal theory, the Library of Congress's Global Legal Monitor is the best place to track the specific decree-laws being passed in the Middle East this year.