Definition

1. Noun:
   • An Islamic judge: A qadi is a judge who interprets and administers Islamic religious law (Sharia). The qadi traditionally presides over legal matters in Muslim communities, making rulings based on Islamic jurisprudence.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The qadi settled the dispute between the two merchants according to Sharia law.
  • In many historical Islamic societies, the local qadi was a key community figure.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical and anthropological contexts to describe the traditional judicial system in Islamic societies.
• The role and authority of a qadi can vary significantly between different Muslim-majority countries and legal traditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Qazi: An alternative spelling of the same term.
• Cadi: Another common transliteration into English from the Arabic origin (قاضي).

Synonyms

• Islamic judge: The direct descriptive synonym.
• Sharia judge: A judge who specifically administers Sharia law.
• Muslim jurist: A scholar or expert in Islamic law, which can include the role of a judge.

Notes

• The word "qadi" is a loanword from Arabic. It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., , ).
• It is a specialized term most commonly encountered in texts discussing Islamic history, law, or culture.

Noun

1. an Islamic judge