Page:Thomas Patrick Hughes - Notes on Muhammadanism - 2ed. (1877).djvu/177

 156 sentence in all cases of law; religious, moral, civil, or criminal.

Muftí.—The law officer, who expounds the law, and in difficult cases supplies the Qází with "fatwás' or decisions.

There are still persons in India bearing the titles of Qází and Muftí, but the offices have ceased to exist under British Government. The Indian law, however, permits civil cases being decided by Muhammadan divines, if both parties consent to the arrangement.

Imám.—The Arabic word Imám is said, by Sale, to answer to the Latin antistes, the president of the temple. It is also used for the four successors of Muhammad, the four great doctors of the four orthodox sects, the twelve great leaders of the Shíaʾhs, and for any great religious leader. It is, however, commonly used for the person who leads the daily prayer, and is in receipt of the revenues of the mosque.

The titles of Qází, Muftí, and Imám may be said to embrace the various appointments held by Muhammadan divines; but there are also numerous titles to denote doctors of Science and Divinity.

Tabíb. A doctor of medicine.