‘Ash-Shar’u’ linguistically means: With a Fat’hah on its ‘Raa’ (i.e. Shara’) or Sukoon (Shar’u) means evenness (Sawaa’) and the way of a road (Tareeq Shaari’) i.e. it is a Mashroo’ (plan) that the people generally follow. ‘Ash-Shir’ah’ with a Kasrah on the ‘Sheen’ and a Sukoon on the ‘Raa’ and ‘Ash-Sharee’ah’ hold the same meaning. Examples of its usage include the Qawl of Allah (swt):

And His speech (swt):

Ash-Shar’u in accordance to the Istilaah (terminological convention): It is all of the Ahkaam found within the Kitaab and the Sunnah whether they relate to the ‘Aqaa’id (beliefs) or the actions of the ‘Ibaad (servants/people) like the Mu’aamalaat (societal transactions), ‘Ibaadaat (acts of worship) and ‘’Uqoobaat (punishments) amongst others actions.

What is intended by Shar’u Min Qablinaa are the Ahkaam that Allah (swt) legislated to those nations and peoples who came before us which had been revealed to their Prophets and Messengers so that they convey it to them. This is like the Sharee’ah of Ibraheem, Moosaa and ‘Eisaa (as).