What are the necessary qualities for a Judge (Qadi)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Judiciary
Primary text
A judge must possess five essential qualities according to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): chastity, forbearance, knowledge of preceding legal rulings, consulting the wise, and not fearing the blame of any blamer concerning Allah. Furthermore, Omar bin Abdul Aziz (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that a judge should possess seven characteristics, lacking any one of which constitutes a defect: intellect ('aql), deep understanding of jurisprudence (fiqh), piety (wara'), integrity (nazaha), firmness (saramah), knowledge of the Sunan (Prophetic traditions), and sound judgment (hukm). Another narration specifies that he must be discerning (fahm), patient, chaste, resolute, and one who inquires about what he does not know, and capable of bearing the impositions ('a'immah) placed upon him.
Supporting text
A judge must not be weak or contemptible, as this emboldens litigants to engage in shouting and mutual cursing before him. Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) expressed his intent to dismiss any judge who allowed such behavior and replace him with one whose mere presence would restrain the wicked.