The present Sharia issue has further exposed the weaknesses and limitations of those who have the God-given privilege to occupy the position of leadership in our nation. A simple display of honesty and sincerity on the part of our religious and political leaders would save our society from further destruction of relationships, lives and property. These laws are an expression of God s will, according to Muslim belief, although derivation and application of the laws depend on interpretation by jurists-that is, leaders versed in Islamic law. Thus, while only one Sharia exists, it is expressed in legal interpretations, or fiqh, and there can be many schools of fiqh. The mention of the word Sharia in Nigeria today will elicit different responses from different persons.
Words have power and words are symbolic.
Words represent reality to the person using them. Language shapes the way we think and speak and language consists of words and rules for putting words together. We have learned that words come to have meaning through symbolization. Such meaning is often arbitrary, learned, and unique to the individual. In communication, words are more than symbols.