The word ‘shariah’ is mentioned in the Quran only once and this is the place. Interestingly, some profound concepts and principles are laid down in the Book only once such as 30:30 (definition of one ever-true religion for mankind), and 2:56 (there is no compulsion in the matters of religion).

Sura 45, al-Jathiyah [kneeling down], Late Mecca 65

The Quranic text and Ali’s translation

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَى شَرِيعَةٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا ...

45:18. Then We put thee on the (right) Way of Religion: so follow thou that (Way),

[ C4756. Shariah is best translated the "right Way of Religion", which is wider than the mere formal rites and legal provisions, which mostly came in the Madinah period, long after this Makkan verse had been revealed.]

... وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاء الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿١٨﴾

and follow not the desires of those who know not.

إِنَّهُمْ لَن يُغْنُوا عَنكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيئًا...

45:19. They will be of no use to thee in the sight of Allah:

...وإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴿١٩﴾

it is only Wrongdoers (that stand as) protectors, one to another: but Allah is the Protector of the Righteous.

هَذَا بَصَائِرُ لِلنَّاسِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّقَوْمِ يُوقِنُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾

45:20. These are clear evidences to men, and a Guidance and Mercy to those of assured Faith.

Asad’s version

45:18

And, finally, 17 [O Muhammad,] We have set thee on a way by which the purpose [of faith] may be fulfilled: 18 so follow thou this [way], and follow not the likes and dislikes of those who do not know [the truth]. 19

(45: 19) Behold, they could never be of any avail to thee if thou wert to defy the will of God 20 - for, verily, such evildoers are but friends and protectors of one another, whereas God is the Protector of all who are conscious of Him.

45:20 This [revelation, then,] 21 is a means of insight for mankind, and a guidance and grace unto people who are endowed with inner certainty.

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Ali’s comments:

C4757. That is, in the service of Allah.

Ignorant and contentious men are of no use or service to any Cause. The more you seek their help, the more do their ignorance and their contentiousness increase their own importance in their own eyes.

Evil protects (or thinks it protects) evil: it has really no power of protection at all, for itself or for others. The righteous seek the protection of Allah, Who can and will protect them.

C4758. The evidences of Allah's Signs should be clear to all men: to men of Faith, who accept Allah's Grace, they are a Guide and a Mercy.

Asad’s comments:

17 Lit, "thereafter" or"in the end" (thumma) - i.e., after the failure of the earlier communities to realize the ideal purpose of faith in their actual mode of life.

1 8 Lit., "on a way of the purpose [of faith] ": see note 1 5 above. It is to be borne in mind that the literal meaning of the term shari'ah is "the way to a watering-place", and since water is indispensable for all organic life, this term has in time come to denote a "system of laws", both moral and practical, which shows man the way towards spiritual fulfilment and social welfare: hence, "religious law" in the widest sense of the term. (See in this connection note 66 on the second part of 5:48.)

19 I.e., who are not - or not primarily - motivated by God-consciousness and, hence, are swayed only by what they themselves regard as "right" in accordance with worldly, changing circumstances.

20 Lit., "against [i.e., "in defiance of"] God".

21 I.e., the Qur'an, which unfolds to man the purpose of all faith.