m-u-f-t-i
MUFTI is an Islamic scholar who is qualified to issue legal opinions (fatwas) on matters of Islamic law. In civilian contexts, mufti refers to ordinary clothes worn by someone who usually wears a uniform.
10
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
MUFTI carries two distinct meanings that reflect both religious scholarship and everyday civilian life. In Islamic tradition, a mufti is a highly qualified legal scholar authorized to issue fatwas—formal rulings or interpretations on questions of Islamic law (sharia). These scholars undergo extensive training in Islamic jurisprudence, Quranic studies, and hadith (prophetic traditions) to earn the authority to guide Muslim communities on religious matters.
The second meaning of mufti, particularly common in British and Commonwealth English, refers to civilian clothes worn by someone who typically wears a uniform. Military personnel, police officers, or other uniformed professionals are said to be "in mufti" when dressed in ordinary street clothes rather than their official uniform. This usage dates from British colonial times in India, where British officers adopted the term from its Islamic context.
As an Islamic legal authority, a mufti serves a crucial role in Muslim societies. Unlike a qadi (judge) who rules on specific legal cases, a mufti provides scholarly opinions that can guide both individuals and communities. Their fatwas address questions ranging from personal religious practice to complex social, economic, and political issues. Prominent muftis often hold positions like Grand Mufti, serving as the highest religious authority in their nation or region.
The qualification process to become a mufti is rigorous, typically requiring:
In modern contexts, muftis navigate between traditional Islamic scholarship and contemporary challenges. They issue fatwas on modern technologies, medical ethics, financial instruments, and social media usage—areas unimaginable to classical scholars. This requires not only religious knowledge but also understanding of modern fields like medicine, economics, and technology.
For word game enthusiasts, MUFTI offers excellent scoring potential. As a 5-letter word with relatively uncommon letters M and F, it provides solid base points. The F tile, worth 4 points in Scrabble, makes this word particularly valuable. Its short length and common ending (-TI) increase playability, while the presence of common letters U, T, and I make it easier to form from available tiles.
The word "mufti" entered English through a fascinating linguistic journey that reflects centuries of cultural exchange between Islamic and Western civilizations. Derived from Arabic "mufti" (مُفتي), meaning "one who gives a fatwa," the term comes from the Arabic root f-t-y (ف-ت-ي), which relates to youth, newness, and by extension, the giving of fresh legal opinions.
The Arabic verb "afta" (أفتى) means "to give a formal legal opinion," and the active participle "mufti" designates the qualified person who performs this function. This linguistic construction follows standard Arabic morphological patterns, where the prefix "mu-" typically indicates "one who does" the action of the root verb.
The word first appeared in English texts in the 1580s, during the early period of European engagement with the Ottoman Empire. British travelers, diplomats, and merchants encountered muftis as important figures in Ottoman society, where the position of Şeyhülislam (Grand Mufti) ranked among the highest religious offices. Early English spellings included "mooftee," "muphti," and "mufty," reflecting attempts to transliterate the Arabic pronunciation.
The civilian clothing meaning emerged in British India during the 19th century. British military officers noted that muftis, unlike many other officials, wore ordinary clothes rather than distinctive uniforms or ceremonial robes. By the 1810s, "in mufti" had become military slang for "in civilian dress." This usage spread throughout the British Empire and remains common in military and law enforcement contexts today.
Related terms in various languages show the word's wide adoption:
The semantic evolution from "Islamic legal scholar" to "civilian clothes" represents a unique case of metonymic language change—where an attribute associated with a person (wearing ordinary clothes) becomes a term for that attribute itself. This linguistic phenomenon demonstrates how colonial encounters can create unexpected semantic shifts that persist long after their historical context has faded.
Muftis serve as bridges between classical Islamic texts and contemporary life. Unlike Western legal systems where laws are codified by legislatures, Islamic law derives from religious sources that require scholarly interpretation. Muftis provide this vital service, helping Muslims navigate modern challenges while maintaining religious authenticity. Their fatwas address everything from bioethics and Islamic finance to social media etiquette and space travel.
Throughout Islamic history, muftis have shaped legal and social development. The Ottoman Empire's Şeyhülislam wielded influence comparable to European chief justices, advising sultans and validating major policies. During colonialism, muftis often led resistance movements or collaborated with colonial powers, making the position politically significant. Today, state-appointed Grand Muftis in many Muslim countries balance religious authority with modern governance.
Contemporary muftis face unprecedented challenges. Globalization, technological advancement, and social change require constant reinterpretation of classical principles. Online fatwa services democratize access to religious guidance but also risk oversimplifying complex issues. The rise of "satellite muftis" on television and social media has transformed how religious authority functions, creating both opportunities for education and risks of extremism.
The dual meaning of "mufti" appears frequently in British literature and media. Detective stories often mention officers "in mufti" during undercover work. The term appears in works by Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie. This civilian clothing usage, while less common today, remains part of Commonwealth English, particularly in military and school contexts where "mufti days" allow uniform-free dress.
Plural Form
muftis
Several muftis issued conflicting fatwas.
Related Title
Grand Mufti
The Grand Mufti addressed the nation.
Office/Position
muftiate
He served in the muftiate for decades.
Related Term
fatwa
The mufti issued a fatwa on the matter.
Usage Variations
Highest religious authority
Legal opinion issued
Seek religious guidance
Official religious position
"The mufti carefully studied the classical texts before issuing his fatwa on the permissibility of organ donation, balancing traditional jurisprudence with modern medical knowledge."
"As Grand Mufti of Egypt, his pronouncements on religious matters carried weight throughout the Sunni Muslim world, influencing millions of believers."
"Young Muslims increasingly turn to online muftis for guidance on everyday issues, from halal food certification to Islamic banking products."
"The detective worked in mufti, blending seamlessly with the crowd at the railway station while keeping watch for the suspect."
"Tomorrow is mufti day at school—students can wear their own clothes if they bring a gold coin donation for charity."
"Even in mufti, the colonel's military bearing was unmistakable, his ramrod posture giving away his profession despite the casual attire."
"I held onto the F tile hoping to make MUFTI, and when the M opened up on a double letter score, it was the perfect play!"
"MUFTI gave me 20 points with the F on a double letter score, enough to take the lead in our competitive Scrabble match."
Total base points: 10 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 (U, I) | Consonants: 3 (M, F, T)
High-value letters: F (4 pts), M (3 pts)
Common letter combinations to form MUFTI:
💡 Tip: Remember MUFTI when holding M-U-F tiles—it's often overlooked!
Mufti vs. Imam
Mufti issues fatwas; Imam leads prayers
Mufti vs. Qadi
Mufti gives opinions; Qadi judges cases
Plural: Muftis
Not muftii or muftees
Other valuable 5-letter words with F in Scrabble
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like MUFTI