Maana ya kilugha ya neno Shari‟ah ni chanzo kisichokwisha cha maji ambayo watu hukata kiu yao nayo. Kwa hiyo, maana ya kilugha ya Shari‟ah ni kwamba sheria za Kiislamu kimsingi ni chanzo cha uongozi. Kama maji ndiyo msingi wa uhai, sheria za Kiislamu ni chanzo muhimu cha kuongoza maisha ya binadamu.

The linguistic meaning of the word Shari‟ah is a non-exhaustive source of water with which people satisfy their thirst. Thus, the linguistic significance of Shari‟ah is that the Islamic laws are effectively a source of guidance. As water is the fundamental basis of life, the Islamic laws are an essential source for guiding human life.

Shari‟ah inajumuisha sheria zote zinazotokana na vyanzo vya kutunga sheria vya Uislamu. Sheria hizi hazijazuiliwa tu kwenye maeneo ya ndoa au talaka; badala yake, sheria za Kiislamu zinashughulikia kila tendo analofanya mtu binafsi au jamii. Neno Shari‟ah pia ni kisawe cha Fiqh.

Shari‟ah is composed of all the laws derived from the legislative sources of Islam. These laws are not just limited to areas covering marriage or divorce; rather, the Islamic laws cover every action performed by an individual or a society. The term Shari‟ah is also a synonym for Fiqh.