The outcomes of legalism

I have often wondered whether the Gospel of Matthew, because of the kind of background it has, is a good gospel for people of a Muslim background marked by a very rules-based approach. I have felt for a lony while that the kinds of things that Jesus says to a lot of the Pharisees about legalistic religion actually ought to be quite a paule for thought for those caught up in fiqh.

Here's a good example of how the letter of law (in this case sharia) can be used to betray mercy and the love of God [to quote Jesus]. The law concerning nikaah in this case is being exploited, I imagine Jesus would not be impressed one bit. I'm a little less sure about Muhammed ...

They are committing a sin. It's not nikaah, it's prostitution by another name

Arabian Sex Tourism - article by Daniel Pipes:On Del.icio.us: legalism, prostitution, paedophilia, Islam, nikaah, Arabia, Pakistan, Pharisaic