How does Islam relate to the Code of Hammurabi?

 The Code of Hammurabi and Islamic law, or Sharia, share some similarities, but they also have significant differences. Both legal systems have detailed provisions and punishments for various crimes, including murder and theft

1

. However, it's important to note that these similarities could be due to the similar socio-cultural environments in which they were developed, rather than a direct influence of the Code of Hammurabi on Islamic law

1

.The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal codes, was revolutionary in its time for introducing written laws and legal predictability

2

. It had a profound influence on the development of legal systems, including the legal traditions of neighboring cultures

2

. However, there is no direct connection between the Code of Hammurabi and Islam

3

. The Quran's legal principles are believed to have connections with Arab law that was current at the time of the Prophet Muhammad

3

.The Code of Hammurabi was also known for its bias against those in the lower end of the social spectrum, with different laws providing different justice for different classes of men in society

3

. In contrast, Islamic justice requires not only laws of justice but also people of justice who treat all those who come before them as equal human beings

3

.The Code of Hammurabi is considered the basis for several religious legal systems, including Islamic law

5

. However, it's important to note that Islam came over 1,000 years after Hammurabi, and while there are similarities, there are also significant differences

7

. For instance, the Code of Hammurabi allowed a man to have sex with his slaves and his wife's maidservants, a practice not endorsed by Islamic law

7

.In conclusion, while there are similarities between the Code of Hammurabi and Islamic law, these are likely due to the similar socio-cultural environments in which they were developed. There is no direct connection between the two, and they also have significant differences in their approach to justice and social equality.