What does Alhakm mean?

Islam > Glossary > Alhakm

Discover the meaning of the term Alhakm (حاكم) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Alhakm

Alhakm according to Al-Qamus al-Fiqhi

The one appointed to judge between people (plural hukkam). In the Mejelle (art. 1785): the person appointed and designated by the authority to decide and settle the claim and dispute arising between people in accordance with their legal rules. Al-hakam: one of God Most High's names. The ruler; in the Qur'an: 'shall I seek a judge (hakaman) other than God?' (al-An'am, 114). The one chosen to decide between disputants; in the Qur'an: 'if you fear a breach between the two, send an arbiter (hakaman) from his people and an arbiter from hers' (an-Nisa', 35). Al-hukm: judgment (plural ahkam). Wisdom; one says silence is wisdom (hukm). Knowledge and understanding. The legal hukm, with the usulis: God Most High's address relating to the acts of the legally responsible, either as requirement or option (Ibn Hajar). In the jurists' terminology: what is established by the divine address, such as obligation and prohibition (Ibn 'Abidin). In the sense of legal adjudication: the settling of disputes and ending of contentions (at-Tamartashi). With the Malikis: informing with the legal ruling in a binding manner, insofar as it comprises settling disputes, applying the punishments, and aiding the wronged. With the Ibadis: the judge's issuance either binding (as a ruling on maintenance), or absolute (as ruling that ownership lapses from land left uncultivated so that it remains lawful for all, or that the hunter's ownership of game lapses). In the Mejelle (art. 1786): it is the judge's decision between the litigants and his settling of it; it is of two kinds: the first is the judge's binding of the defendant to something, as in: 'I rule that you give the thing claimed against you'; this is called binding judgment (qada' al-ilzam) or judgment of entitlement (al-istihqaq). The second is the judge's preventing the claimant from the dispute by word, as in: 'you have no right', or 'you are barred from the claim'; this is called judgment of dismissal (qada' at-tark).

Alhakm according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

The executor of the ruling; the judge appointed and installed by the authority to decide and settle the claims and disputes in accordance with their legal rules.

Related terms: Alhakm