Sharia and Ten Commandments
If you’ve been unlucky enough to endure television ads for Texas politicians this year, you’ve likely encountered the latest Republican boogeyman: Sharia Law. The Texas GOP has included on its 2026 primary ballot Proposition 10, which asks voters if Texas should “prohibit Sharia Law.” In fact, there is no evidence anyone is attempting to institute such a law on Texans or anyone else. It simply isn’t legal to override the laws of Texas or the United States, even within a private group. That fact clearly doesn’t prevent the Republican party from pretending citizens are in danger of somehow becoming subject to a foreign law code.
While spreading disinformation about Sharia Law is not limited to Texas, Texas candidates whose ads feature fearmongering about the Muslim community and their supposed efforts to impose Sharia Law is a long list. Some of the most prominent of these and the sometimes preposterous rhetoric they promote are noted below.
Aaron Reitz (Texas Attorney General Candidate): Reitz released a television ad titled “Not On My Watch”. In the ad, he claims that politicians have “imported millions of Muslims” and that some are seeking to “impose Sharia law” through “illegal cities” in Texas.
“MAGA” Mayes Middleton (Texas Attorney General Candidate ): His Facebook campaign page states: “No Sharia in Texas. I’m fighting to stop the Islamification of our state.”
John Cornyn (U.S. Senator, Texas): Cornyn launched a high-budget ad titled “Evil Face” that characterizes “radical Islam” as a “bloodthirsty ideology” and highlights his efforts to revoke the tax-exempt status of groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Charles Schwertner (Texas State Senator): Schwertner released a campaign ad stating, “We follow the Constitution, not Sharia law,” while advocating for the deportation of those who follow what he terms “radical Islam”.
Wesley Hunt (U.S. Representative, Texas): Hunt, running for U.S. Senate, has used social media ads and posts via his “Hunt War Room” account to spar over the alleged “threats of Islamification” in Texas.
What is Sharia Law Anyway?
Because it draws this much vitriol, Sharia Law must be horrific, right? The truth is that Sharia Law is primarily religious law, derived from the Quran, which requires or recommends ordinary practices of the Islamic faith. It is not a codified legal system; there is no central authority that imposes it globally. Sharia Law primarily guides personal conduct, worship, and moral commitments for Muslims.
The Objectives of Sharia and the areas of everyday life they apply to are:
· Religion: Protecting the freedom of belief and worship.
· Life: Safeguarding the sanctity of human life.
· Intellect: Preserving the mind and promoting education while prohibiting intoxicants.
· Progeny/Family: Protecting family lineage and the sanctity of the family unit.
· Property/Wealth” Safeguarding assets and ensuring economic justice.
The Core Pillars of Practice, which provide structure for a Muslim’s direct relationship with God, based on the Five Pillars of Islam:
· Shahada: Declaration of faith.
· Salah: Five daily ritual prayers.
· Zakat: Obligatory almsgiving for social welfare (typically 2.5% of wealth).
· Sawm: Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
· Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
In addition, there are interpersonal and social rules for individuals:
· Family Law: Detailed guidelines for marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance.
· Economic Ethics: Prohibition of usury or interest on loans and excessive risk/gambling to promote fair trade and risk-sharing.
· Moral Conduct: Mandating honesty, kindness to neighbors, and caring for the vulnerable (orphans, elderly).
· Justice: Principles of consultation and equality before the law.
While my ideas of the best way to “protect family lineage” or “safeguard the sanctity of life” may differ from those of the ordinary Muslim, I find nothing objectionable in any of these precepts. They’re even less objectionable than Christian Nationalist principles, in my opinion. Interpretations differ, of course. However, in general, each of these objectives, practices, and rules apply only to individuals. Ironically, I see nothing here that conflicts with Republican ideology. So what’s the big deal?
What Fearmongers Get Wrong About Sharia
There are several myths, or deliberate untruths, that are routinely rolled out to gin up fear toward Sharia Law, and by extension, anyone who chooses to adhere to it.
· Myth #1: Sharia law is quietly taking over Western courts and legal systems.
Reality: There is no evidence that Sharia is being applied instead of U.S. or other Western laws. Proposals to ban Sharia in state constitutions target a non-existent threat and can be discriminatory.
· Myth #2: Muslim communities in the U.S. want to replace American law with Sharia law.
Reality: Muslim Americans participate in the same civic and legal systems as other citizens. There is no organized effort to supplant U.S. law with Sharia.
· Myth #3: Sharia inherently promotes violence, misogyny, or anti-democratic rule.
Reality: Like any religious or ethical tradition, including Christian or Jewish traditions, perceptions of meaning vary. Many Muslims emphasize principles like justice, charity, and family life; these cultural practices often shape local laws in Muslim-majority countries.
· Myth #4: There are secret Muslim “Sharia zones” where U.S. law doesn’t apply.
Reality: This is false. U.S. courts retain full authority, and any attempt to enforce foreign or religious law that conflicts with constitutional principles would be invalid.
Why Disinformation About Sharia Law is Destructive
During election season, inciting fear of those who choose to follow Sharia Law is, at the very least a distraction from substantive policy discussions. It promotes purely emotional reactions in voters and discourages rational discernment. When candidates suggest there’s no need to offer stances on public policy, it’s more likely that they simply have nothing worthwhile to offer.
Even worse, deliberately disseminating disinformation about minorities further marginalizes them and reinforces stereotypes. There is no factual evidence for much of their alarmist handwringing. These narratives tap into Islamophobic tropes and portray Muslims as untrustworthy, secretive, or inherently incompatible with democracy. All to advance bigoted political views.
If you scour the internet, within minutes you’ll find videos or photos that purport to demonstrate that Muslims are inextricably linked to terrorism or terrorist acts. Some videos are supposed responses to current events but are misattributed to specific events and stripped of context. Others are completely fictional or AI generated.
Remember: disinformation isn’t limited to untruths. It includes contextual distortion—just enough fact mixed with misleading implications to create fear.
Sharia Law and the Ten Commandments
On a basic level, Sharia Law for Muslims is analogous to the Ten Commandments for Christians. Both offer moral and ethical guidance that shapes how Muslims or Christians live. In neither faith are the “rules” a criminal code. Sharia (“the way”) is rooted in the Quran; the Ten Commandments are rooted in the Bible. Both scriptures are considered divinely inspired. Both sets of guidelines emphasize everyday personal behaviors: be honest, don’t steal, don’t murder, respect family, care for the poor, and act with integrity. Which of these would you disagree with?
As with any faith, interpretations vary among adherents. There are radical Muslims and radical Christians. I submit that Christian Nationalists and radical Muslims have more in common than they would lead you to believe, and the former vehemently oppose the latter, despite their similarities. Both radical sects insist there is only one way to practice their faith “correctly,” which justifies imposing their beliefs on nonbelievers, i.e., posting Ten Commandments posters in public classrooms. While Texas candidates would have us believe Muslims are intent on imposing their laws on non-Muslims, there has been no effort to my knowledge to post Sharia Law posters in public places.
The bottom line is this: For believers, Sharia functions much like the Ten Commandments: a faith-based moral compass shaping personal behavior, interpreted through community and conscience—not a secret plan to replace secular law. No Texan or US citizen can be legally compelled to adhere to either of them.
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