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Arbitrated
حكم (hakama) is a versatile Arabic word with multiple meanings including 'to judge,' 'to rule,' 'to arbitrate,' and 'to govern.' It can function as a verb meaning to make a judicial or authoritative decision, and as a noun meaning 'a judgment,' 'a ruling,' or 'wisdom.' The word carries connotations of authority, fairness, and decisive action based on knowledge or law.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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حكم القاضي بأن المتهم بريء من التهمة.
Hakama al-qadhi bi-anna al-muttahama bari'un min al-tuhma.
The judge ruled that the defendant was innocent of the charge.
حكمت الملكة على البلاد لمدة خمسين سنة.
Hakamt al-malika 'ala al-bilad limuddat khamsin sana.
The queen ruled over the country for fifty years.
طلبنا من خبير أن يحكم في النزاع بيننا.
Talabna min khabir an yahkuma fi al-niza' baynanā.
We asked an expert to arbitrate in the dispute between us.
حكمة الشيخ ساعدتنا على اتخاذ القرار الصحيح.
Hikmat al-shaykh sā'adat-nā 'alā ittikh-ādh al-qarar al-sahih.
The elder's wisdom helped us make the right decision.
يجب على الحاكم أن يحكم بالعدل والإنصاف.
Yajib 'alā al-hākim an yahkuma bi-al-'adl wa-al-insāf.
The ruler must govern with justice and fairness.
In Islamic tradition, حكم carries deep spiritual and legal significance, as it relates to divine judgment and justice (حكم الله - God's judgment). The concept is central to Islamic jurisprudence and governance, where rulers (الحاكم) are expected to uphold Islamic law and justice. In contemporary Arabic-speaking societies, the word remains fundamental to legal, political, and everyday discourse about decision-making and authority.
Remember that حكم functions as both a verb (to judge/rule) and a noun (judgment/wisdom). When used as a verb, it typically takes a preposition (ب or على) to indicate what is being judged or ruled upon. The related noun حكمة (wisdom) is feminine and commonly used in philosophical or ethical contexts. Pay attention to context to distinguish between 'ruling' (political governance), 'judging' (legal decisions), and 'wisdom' (knowledge and prudence).
The Arabic word حكم (hakama) is one of the most important and multifaceted words in the Arabic language, encompassing meanings related to judgment, governance, and wisdom. Whether you're learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) or studying classical Arabic texts, understanding this word and its various applications is essential for developing fluency and cultural comprehension.
حكم serves primarily as a verb meaning 'to judge,' 'to rule,' 'to govern,' or 'to arbitrate.' In its noun form (الحكم), it means 'judgment,' 'ruling,' 'decision,' or 'governance.' The related noun حكمة (hikma) means 'wisdom' or 'philosophy.' These variations demonstrate the rich semantic network surrounding this root, all connected to the concept of authoritative decision-making informed by knowledge and justice.
When someone says "حكم القاضي" (the judge ruled), they're referring to a formal legal decision. When describing political authority, "يحكم البلاد" means 'he/she rules the country.' The word can also be used more abstractly to mean 'to exercise control' or 'to have dominion over something.'
As a verb, حكم follows the regular Arabic verb pattern. In the past tense, it appears as حكم (he judged/ruled), and in the present tense as يحكم (he judges/rules). The imperative form is احكم (judge! rule!). These conjugations follow standard second-form verb patterns in Arabic.
The word frequently appears with prepositions: 'حكم ب' (ruled by/judged by) or 'حكم على' (ruled over/passed judgment on). Understanding these preposition combinations is crucial for using the word correctly in context.
In Islamic contexts, حكم holds tremendous importance. "حكم الله" (God's judgment or divine law) refers to Islamic jurisprudence and divine commandments. This phrase appears frequently in Quranic studies and Islamic legal discourse. The concept of حاكم (a ruler or governor) in Islamic tradition carries the responsibility of implementing Islamic law fairly and justly.
In modern legal systems throughout the Arab world, the judiciary (القضاء والحكم) relies on this terminology. Courts are called محاكم (plural: courts), and arbitration is known as التحكيم (tahkim), demonstrating how the root word extends throughout the legal vocabulary.
Beyond formal legal and political contexts, حكم appears in everyday Arabic conversations about making decisions, settling disputes, or exercising judgment. When friends or family members are in disagreement, someone might suggest "احكم بيننا" (judge/arbitrate between us), asking someone respected to make a decision.
The word also connects to broader concepts of wisdom and prudence. A person described as حكيم (wise) is someone who exercises good judgment. The related phrase "من حكمته أنه..." (from his wisdom is that...) appears in Arabic literature and speech to introduce judicious decisions or insights.
Several fixed phrases using حكم are essential for learners:
English speakers learning Arabic should recognize that حكم requires contextual understanding to determine which English translation is most appropriate. The same verb form might mean 'judged,' 'ruled,' 'governed,' or 'arbitrated' depending on context. Reading the word in authentic sentences helps build this intuition.
Notice that the noun form الحكم can function as both an abstract concept (judgment, governance) and as a concrete ruling or decision. When preceded by the definite article ال, it often means 'the ruling' or 'the judgment' in a specific context.
Learning حكم effectively involves understanding its related words: حاكم (ruler), محكمة (court), حكمة (wisdom), تحكيم (arbitration), and حكيم (wise person). These words share the same root ح-ك-م and form an interconnected semantic field focused on decision-making, authority, and wisdom.
Mastering حكم and its derivatives opens doors to understanding legal documents, political discourse, historical texts, and philosophical discussions in Arabic. This word exemplifies how Arabic roots create meaningful connections between seemingly different concepts, all united by the central theme of exercising wise authority.