How to Pronounce qadi

Meaning and Context

A qadi is a judge within the Islamic legal system, a position of immense religious and social authority rooted in the early history of Islam. Appointed to adjudicate a wide range of civil, criminal, and family law matters, the qadi's primary duty is to deliver verdicts in accordance with Sharia (Islamic law), drawing upon the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, and established schools of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The role emerged decisively during the Umayyad Caliphate and was formalized under the Abbasids, becoming a cornerstone of Islamic courts and governance. Unlike a secular judge, a qadi traditionally combines legal expertise with deep religious scholarship, often acting as a community leader who ensures justice aligns with Islamic principles. The institution of the qadi has evolved over centuries, adapting to various political structures while remaining a fundamental pillar for dispute resolution in Muslim societies, from historical caliphates to modern nations that incorporate religious law into their legal frameworks.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The term "qadi" originates from the Arabic root "q-ḍ-y," meaning "to judge," and its transliteration into the Latin alphabet has led to several accepted variant spellings. The most common alternatives are Cadi (often used in French and older English texts), Kadi (a simplified transliteration), and Qazi (common in South Asian contexts, such as in India and Pakistan). Another less frequent variant is Kazi. Common misspellings and typos arise from phonetic guesses or keyboard errors, such as "quadi," "quadi," "quazi," or "kazi" (though the last is a valid variant). A frequent error is the incorrect pluralization; the correct Arabic plural is quḍāh, often Anglicized as "qadis" (or "cadis," "kadis"), while using "qadies" is incorrect. Confusion also sometimes occurs with the similar-sounding term "mufti," which is a jurist who issues legal opinions (fatwas) but does not preside over a court.

Example Sentences

The sultan appointed a new qadi to oversee the city's Sharia court, seeking a scholar known for his impartiality and mastery of Hanafi jurisprudence.

In resolving the complex inheritance dispute, the qadi meticulously consulted classical texts of fiqh before issuing his final ruling.

Historically, the authority of a qadi extended beyond the courtroom, often involving the supervision of pious endowments (awqaf) and guardianship of orphans.

Modern states like Saudi Arabia and Malaysia maintain systems where a qadi (or qazi) holds jurisdiction over matters of personal status, such as marriage, divorce, and child custody.

The traveler's account from the 14th century described the cadi as the most revered figure in the community, to whom even the local emir would defer on legal interpretations.

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