KAH-dee
QADI An Islamic judge who rules according to Islamic religious law (Sharia).
14
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
A qadi is an Islamic judge who interprets and applies Sharia (Islamic religious law) in court proceedings. The position requires extensive knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence, the Quran, and Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad).
Unlike secular judges, qadis derive their authority from religious sources and traditionally handle matters including marriage, divorce, inheritance, and religious endowments. In some jurisdictions, they also adjudicate criminal cases according to Islamic law.
For word game enthusiasts, QADI is valuable as another Q-without-U word. Its 4-letter length and common ending letters make it more flexible than some exotic Q words, while still offering good point value.
Historically, the qadi served not just as judge but often as administrator, notary, and guardian of orphans and the mentally ill. The position represented one of the most important civic offices in Islamic societies.
The word 'qadi' comes from Arabic 'qāḍī' (قاضي), derived from the root q-ḍ-y meaning 'to judge' or 'to decide.' It entered English through contact with Islamic civilizations during the medieval period. Alternative spellings include 'cadi,' 'kadi,' and 'qazi,' reflecting different transliteration systems. The position dates back to the early Islamic period in the 7th century.
Words with similar meaning
JUDGE
Legal arbitrator
MAGISTRATE
Judicial officer
JURIST
Legal expert
ARBITER
Decision maker
Words with opposite meaning
DEFENDANT
Person being judged
PLAINTIFF
Person bringing suit
LITIGANT
Party in lawsuit
Plural Form
qadis
Related Terms
Islamic law court
Head Islamic judge
Name an Islamic judge
Total base points: 14 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 2
Other high-scoring 4-letter words (Scrabble)
Focus on maximizing tile placement and multipliers.
"The qadi carefully considered Islamic precedents before ruling on the inheritance dispute."
"In Scrabble, QADI helped clear the Q tile without needing the scarce U."
"Historical records show the qadi also served as a witness for important contracts."
The qadi system represents a fundamental aspect of Islamic governance and law. From the earliest Islamic states to modern times, qadis have shaped legal precedents and social norms in Muslim societies. Their decisions have influenced everything from family law to commercial practices across vast territories.
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