q-a-d-i-s
QADIS is the plural form of qadi, an Islamic judge who interprets and administers religious law (Sharia). These judicial officials historically played crucial roles in Muslim societies, handling both civil and religious matters. The word comes from Arabic and is particularly valuable in word games as one of the rare "Q without U" words, worth 15 base points in Scrabble due to the high-value Q tile.
15
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
QADIS refers to multiple Islamic judges (singular: qadi) who are appointed to interpret and apply Sharia law in Muslim communities. These judicial officers traditionally presided over courts dealing with personal status matters, inheritance, marriage, divorce, and various civil disputes within the framework of Islamic jurisprudence.
A qadi's role extends beyond that of a typical judge in secular legal systems. They must possess deep knowledge of Islamic law (fiqh), the Quran, Hadith (prophetic traditions), and the principles of Islamic jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh). Historically, qadis were often scholars who had studied under renowned Islamic jurists and received authorization (ijaza) to issue legal rulings.
In modern Muslim-majority countries, the role of qadis varies significantly. Some nations maintain separate Sharia courts with qadis presiding over family law matters, while others have integrated Islamic law principles into their civil court systems. In non-Muslim countries with Muslim minorities, qadis may serve in unofficial capacities, offering arbitration and guidance on religious matters.
The word qadi (قاضي) comes from the Arabic root q-ḍ-y (ق-ض-ي), which relates to "judging," "deciding," or "completing." The root conveys the sense of bringing matters to conclusion or resolution. The plural form "qadis" follows English pluralization rules, though in Arabic, the plural would be "qudat" (قضاة).
The term entered English through various routes during the medieval period, particularly through contact with Islamic Spain (Al-Andalus) and later through colonial encounters with Muslim societies. Alternative spellings in English include "kadi," "cadi," and "qazi," reflecting different transliteration systems.
The institution of the qadi dates back to the early Islamic period. The Prophet Muhammad himself served as a judge, and the role was formalized under the early caliphs. The Abbasid period (750-1258 CE) saw the development of a sophisticated judicial system with qadis appointed throughout the Islamic empire.
Traditional Islamic law sets strict requirements for qadis: they must be Muslim, of sound mind, possess moral integrity (adalah), and have extensive knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence. Some schools also require them to be male and free (not enslaved), though these requirements have evolved in modern contexts.
Qadis traditionally handled matters of personal status (marriage, divorce, custody), inheritance (mirath), religious endowments (waqf), and commercial disputes. Criminal law (hudud) cases were sometimes under their purview, though major criminal matters often fell to other authorities.
Qadis base their judgments on four primary sources: the Quran (Islam's holy book), Sunnah (prophetic traditions), Ijma (scholarly consensus), and Qiyas (analogical reasoning). Different schools of Islamic law (madhabs) may emphasize these sources differently.
Notable qadis include Abu Yusuf (8th century), chief qadi under Harun al-Rashid; Qadi Iyad (12th century), renowned Maliki scholar; and Ibn Rushd (Averroes), who served as qadi of Córdoba while also being a philosopher.
QADIS is invaluable in Scrabble and similar games because it allows you to play the high-scoring Q (10 points) without needing a U. As a 5-letter word with common letters besides Q, it's often easier to play than shorter Q-without-U words.
QADIS is the plural of QADI, giving you flexibility. If you can play QADI, you might be able to extend it to QADIS for extra points.
•In medieval Islamic cities, qadis often held court in mosques, making justice accessible to common people
•The position of "qadi al-qudat" (chief judge) was one of the highest judicial offices in Islamic empires
•Female qadis have existed throughout Islamic history, though they were rare and often limited to specific jurisdictions
•Learning Arabic-origin Q-without-U words like QADIS can increase your Scrabble rating by 100+ points
"The qadis in medieval Baghdad were known for their learning and fair judgments."
— Historical context
"Modern family courts in many Muslim countries still employ qadis to adjudicate marriage and inheritance disputes."
— Contemporary context
"Playing QADIS across a triple word score while placing the Q on a double letter score earned me 90 points!"
— Word game context
"The conference brought together qadis from across the Muslim world to discuss modern applications of Islamic family law."
— Academic context
Similar length and difficulty words
Total base points: 15 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 (A, I) | Consonants: 3 (Q, D, S)
Special feature: Q not followed by U (rare in English)
Pattern: CVCVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant-Vowel-Consonant)
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like QADIS