How to Pronounce kadi

Meaning and Context

A Qadi (قاضي) is a judge within the Islamic legal tradition, a figure of profound authority and respect entrusted with the administration of justice in accordance with Sharia law. Historically appointed by the caliph or a ruling sultan, the qadi's jurisdiction traditionally encompassed a wide range of civil and criminal matters, from family law and inheritance disputes to commercial conflicts and public order. The role demands deep expertise in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), a commitment to ethical principles, and often the wisdom to issue fatwas or legal opinions. As a cornerstone of the Islamic court system, the qadi served not only as an adjudicator but also as a guardian of community welfare, often overseeing religious endowments (waqf) and the affairs of orphans. The institution of the qadi remains a vital component of the legal frameworks in many Muslim-majority nations, symbolizing the enduring integration of Islamic legal tradition with societal governance and the pursuit of justice.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The term originates from the Arabic root q-ḍ-y, meaning "to judge." The standard English transliteration from Arabic is Qadi, which is the most academically precise and commonly used spelling. However, historical interactions through trade and colonialism led to several variant spellings. Cadi is a frequent alternative, particularly found in older English texts and those influenced by French or Spanish transliteration. Kadi is another accepted variant, often seen in Turkish and South Asian contexts, as is Kazi, which is prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Qazi is also widely used, especially in Persian, Urdu, and South Asian Islamic communities. Common typos or errors include misspellings like "Quadi," "Qady," or "Cady," which often arise from phonetic guesses. It is also sometimes incorrectly conflated with a "mufti"; while both are legal scholars, a mufti issues non-binding legal opinions, whereas a qadi is a binding judge within a court.

Example Sentences

The community sought the qadi's ruling to resolve the complex inheritance dispute according to the precise calculations outlined in Islamic law.

After reviewing the contracts and hearing testimonies from both merchants, the kazi delivered a verdict that was immediately respected by all parties involved.

Historical records show that the Ottoman cadi was responsible for everything from marital cases to the oversight of the local marketplace.

In his role as a qazi, he was known for his impartiality and his meticulous reference to the classical texts of Hanafi fiqh.

The appointment of a new qadi to the Sharia court was announced by the national judicial authority last week.

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