Definition, Ruling & Evidence

**1. Definition:** **Linguistically:** Qada (قضاء) means judgment, ruling, deciding, and finishing a matter. **Legally:** Clarifying the Sharia ruling, binding by it, and resolving disputes and cutting off conflicts. It is called "hukm" (judgment) because it restrains the wrongdoer - derived from "hikmah" (wisdom) which places everything in its proper place. --- **2. Ruling and Wisdom:** Judiciary is **fard kifayah** (communal obligation) - if enough people perform it, the obligation falls from the rest. If all qualified people refuse, they all sin. **Why it is obligatory:** - People's affairs cannot be set right without it - It is among the greatest acts of nearness to Allah **Its benefits include:** - Supporting the oppressed - Establishing hudud (prescribed punishments) - Giving every rightful person their due - Reconciling between people - Ending disputes and conflicts - Establishing security and reducing wrongdoing Therefore, the ruler (imam) must appoint judges as needed, lest rights be lost and oppression spreads. **Great reward** awaits those who enter it, are qualified, and fulfill its rights. **Great sin** befalls those who enter it unqualified. --- **3. Evidence:** **From the Quran:** "O David, We have made you a successor on earth, so judge between people in truth" [Sad: 26]. **From the Sunnah:** The Prophet ﷺ said: "If the judge strives and reaches the correct ruling, he has two rewards. And if he strives and errs, he has one reward" [Bukhari & Muslim]. The Prophet ﷺ himself held the position of judiciary, appointed judges, and so did his companions after him and the righteous predecessors. **From Consensus:** Muslims have unanimously agreed on the legitimacy of appointing judges and ruling between people.