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Judge
#3
القاضي (al-qāḍī) is the Arabic word for 'judge,' referring to a person who presides over a court of law and makes legal decisions. The word comes from the root ق-ض-ي (q-ḍ-y), which relates to judgment and decision-making. In Islamic and Arab contexts, a qadi is an important legal and religious authority figure who applies both civil and religious law.
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القاضي حكم بأن المتهم بريء من التهمة.
al-qāḍī ḥakama bi-anna al-muttaham barī' min al-tuhmah.
The judge ruled that the defendant is innocent of the charge.
استمع القاضي إلى شهادة الشهود بعناية.
Istama'a al-qāḍī ilā shahādat al-shuhuud bi-'ināyah.
The judge listened carefully to the witnesses' testimonies.
القاضي يجب أن يكون عادلاً ومحترماً.
al-qāḍī yajib an yakūn 'ādilan wa-muḥtaraman.
A judge must be fair and respected.
قررت المحكمة أن القاضي سيرأس القضية الجديدة.
Qararat al-maḥkamah anna al-qāḍī sayarās al-qaḍiyyah al-jadīdah.
The court decided that the judge would preside over the new case.
احترم الجميع قرار القاضي العادل.
Iḥtarama al-jamī' qarār al-qāḍī al-'ādil.
Everyone respected the judge's fair decision.
In Islamic tradition, the qadi holds significant social and religious authority, serving as both a legal judge and a religious scholar familiar with Islamic law (Sharia). Historically, qadis played crucial roles in administering justice in Muslim societies and continue to hold important positions in modern Arab and Islamic countries. The respect given to judges in Arab culture reflects the importance of justice and fairness in Islamic and traditional Arab values.
Remember that القاضي is masculine singular; the feminine form is القاضية (al-qāḍiyyah) and the plural is القضاة (al-quḍāh). Use القاضي when referring to a specific male judge in formal contexts. In legal discussions, you'll often hear related terms like محكمة (court) and حكم (judgment/ruling) alongside this word.
The Arabic word القاضي (al-qāḍī) means 'judge' and refers to a person who presides over a court of law and renders legal judgments and decisions. The word derives from the root ق-ض-ي (q-ḍ-y), which carries the fundamental meaning of judgment, decision-making, and fulfillment. In both modern Arabic-speaking countries and historically in Islamic societies, the qadi serves as a crucial figure in the legal system.
القاضي is a masculine singular noun that follows standard Arabic grammatical patterns. When referring to a female judge, the word becomes القاضية (al-qāḍiyyah). The plural form is القضاة (al-quḍāh), which applies to multiple judges regardless of gender in formal contexts. Understanding these variations is essential for accurate communication in legal and formal settings.
In Islamic tradition and Arab history, the qadi held extraordinary importance beyond mere legal authority. Qadis were typically learned scholars of Islamic law (Sharia) who combined legal expertise with religious knowledge. They served not only as judges but also as administrators and arbiters of moral and ethical standards within their communities. This dual role gave them considerable social prestige and influence, making the position of qadi one of the most respected in traditional Muslim societies.
Today, while modern Arab nations maintain secular legal systems alongside or instead of religious courts, the qadi remains an important figure in countries that preserve Islamic judicial systems. The respect accorded to judges in Arab culture reflects the Islamic emphasis on justice ('adl) and fairness as core values.
In contemporary Arabic, القاضي appears frequently in legal documents, news reports, courtroom discussions, and formal correspondence. You will encounter this word when discussing court cases, legal matters, or judicial appointments. For example, news headlines often refer to 'قرار القاضي' (the judge's decision) or 'حكم القاضي' (the judge's ruling) when reporting on significant court cases.
When learning القاضي, it's beneficial to understand related legal terms:
When using القاضي in conversation or writing, remember that it's a formal term and should be used respectfully. In legal documents, you may see phrases like 'أمام القاضي' (before the judge, meaning in court) or 'تحت إشراف القاضي' (under the judge's supervision). In news and media contexts, القاضي often appears with additional descriptive adjectives such as القاضي العادل (the fair judge) or القاضي المختص (the competent/specialized judge).
When using القاضي in sentences, remember that adjectives and verbs must agree with its gender and number. If describing a female judge, use the feminine form القاضية with corresponding feminine adjectives. For example: 'القاضية العادلة' (the fair female judge) rather than 'القاضي العادل.'
Mastering the word القاضي and its related vocabulary opens doors to understanding Arabic legal discourse and discussions about justice systems in Arab countries. Whether you're reading news articles, legal documents, or engaging in conversations about court cases, this word and its context are essential components of Arabic language proficiency at intermediate and advanced levels.