Accepted Quote by Margaret Thatcher
“It is recorded how towards the end of the eighteenth century a Muslim visitor to England was taken to see the House of Commons at work. He later wrote of his astonishment at finding the that the British Parliament actually made laws and fixed punishments for their infraction - because unlike Muslims the English had not accepted a divine law revealed from heaven and therefore had to resort to such unsatisfactory expedients. Muslims still understand the expression 'the rule of law' very differently than do most Westerners.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Rise of the British Empire, 1990
Observation of a 19th‑century Muslim visitor noting that British law is human‑made, not divine, contrasting with Islamic views of law as God‑given.
In simple terms: British law is made by people, not God.
Key Takeaway
Recognize differing foundations of legal authority.
Themes
law
culture
religion
history
politics
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
historical
comparative
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- legal reform
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
secularism
divine law
rule of law
Questions to Reflect On
- How do cultural backgrounds shape views of authority?
- Can secular law coexist with religious values?
A Different Perspective
Legal systems also rely on moral consensus, not just statutes.
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