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Adjudging
الحكم (al-hukm) refers to judgment, ruling, or adjudication. It encompasses the act of making decisions, passing verdicts, or exercising authority in legal, administrative, or moral contexts. This word is fundamental in Islamic jurisprudence and general Arabic discourse about decision-making and governance.
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قضى القاضي بحكمه العادل في القضية.
Qada al-qadi bi-hukmihi al-'adil fi al-qadiya.
The judge issued his fair ruling in the case.
الحكم بين الناس يتطلب الحكمة والعدالة.
Al-hukm bayna al-nas yatatallab al-hikma wa-al-'adala.
Adjudging between people requires wisdom and justice.
لا يجوز الحكم على شخص بدون دليل قوي.
La yajuz al-hukm 'ala shakhs bidun dalil qawi.
It is not permissible to judge a person without strong evidence.
استقل الحاكم بحكمه في المسائل الإدارية.
Istaqall al-hakim bi-hukmihi fi al-masa'il al-idariya.
The ruler exercised independent judgment in administrative matters.
تأخر الحكم في هذه القضية المعقدة لعدة أشهر.
Ta'akhkhara al-hukm fi hadhihi al-qadiya al-mu'aqqada li-'uddat ashur.
The judgment in this complex case was delayed for several months.
In Islamic tradition, الحكم is deeply rooted in Qur'anic and Hadith teachings about fair judgment and divine wisdom. The concept emphasizes that judgment should be based on evidence, righteousness, and adherence to Islamic law. In modern Arabic-speaking societies, this word is used in legal contexts, governmental decisions, and everyday moral assessments, reflecting the cultural importance placed on fairness and wisdom in decision-making.
Remember that الحكم can function as both a noun (judgment/ruling) and an abstract concept (the act of judging). When used with prepositions, 'bi-' (بـ) often follows it to indicate what the judgment concerns. Be careful not to confuse it with الحكمة (wisdom), though they are related—الحكم is the act of deciding, while الحكمة is the quality that should guide those decisions.
الحكم (al-hukm) is a fundamental Arabic word that translates to "judgment," "ruling," or "adjudication." It represents the act of making authoritative decisions, particularly in legal, administrative, or moral contexts. The word encompasses both the process of judging and the verdict or decision that results from that process. Understanding this word is essential for learners seeking to engage with Arabic legal terminology, Islamic jurisprudence, and everyday discourse about decision-making.
As a noun, الحكم is masculine and can be both countable and uncountable depending on context. When used in the definite form (الحكم), it refers to "the judgment" or "the ruling," while in the indefinite form (حكم), it means "a judgment" or "a ruling." The word frequently appears with possessive pronouns and prepositions that clarify the subject, object, and nature of the judgment being discussed.
In Islamic jurisprudence, الحكم holds particular significance. The Qur'an frequently references the importance of fair judgment and ruling according to divine guidance. For instance, the concept of "Hukm Shari'ah" (Islamic ruling) refers to decisions made in accordance with Islamic law. Judges (القاضي) are expected to render judgments (أحكام) based on evidence, witness testimony, and legal principles.
In modern Arabic-speaking countries, the word is extensively used in legal documents, court proceedings, and governmental announcements. When a court issues a ruling, it is described as "إصدار حكم" (issuing a judgment). Different types of judgments are distinguished: preliminary rulings (أحكام بدائية), appellate judgments (أحكام استئنافية), and final judgments (أحكام نهائية).
Arabic culture places high value on wisdom (الحكمة) in making judgments. The historical and religious emphasis on fair adjudication reflects broader cultural values of justice, equity, and moral integrity. The Prophet Muhammad is described as an exemplary judge, and Islamic history records many scholars known for their fair and wise judgments. This cultural backdrop makes understanding الحكم essential for grasping how Arabic-speaking societies approach justice and authority.
Several phrases commonly accompany الحكم:
Understanding الحكم requires familiarity with related words:
When learning الحكم, note that it often appears in formal and semi-formal contexts. News reports about court decisions, legal documents, and official announcements frequently use this word. Pay attention to the prepositions that follow it: "حكم في" (judgment concerning), "حكم على" (judgment against), and "حكم بـ" (judgment with/for). Listening to news broadcasts or reading legal articles in Arabic will help solidify your understanding of how this word functions in authentic contexts.
While القرار (decision) and الحكم (judgment) are sometimes used interchangeably, الحكم specifically implies an authoritative determination, often in a formal context, while القرار may be more general. القضاء (judiciary/judgment) is closely related but often refers to the institution or process rather than the specific decision.