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الْحَكَمُ

Al-Hakam

The Judge

Judgmentالحكم

Meaning & Explanation

Root: ح-ك-م(To judge, to decree, to arbitrate)

Al-Hakam is the supreme Judge who arbitrates between all disputes with absolute justice. His judgment is final and perfect. He judges between people in this world and will be the ultimate Judge on the Day of Judgment.

Quran References

2 verses

Context: Allah is the best judge

أَفَغَيْرَ اللَّهِ أَبْتَغِي حَكَمًا

Should I seek a judge other than Allah?

— Surah Al-An'amAyah 114

Context: Rhetorical affirmation of Allah's supreme judgment

أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِمِينَ

Is not Allah the Most Just of judges?

— Surah At-TinAyah 8

Exemplifying Story

quran

The Judgment of Dawud and Sulayman

Reference: Surah Al-Anbiya 21:78-79

Two men brought a dispute before Prophet Dawud: one man's sheep had grazed in another's field at night, destroying his crops. Dawud ruled that the sheep be given to the owner of the field as compensation. His young son Sulayman suggested a different judgment: let the field owner keep the sheep and benefit from their milk and wool until the crops regrow, then return them. Dawud recognized the wisdom in his son's judgment. Allah says: "We gave understanding of it to Sulayman... and each We gave judgment and knowledge." Al-Hakam guides His prophets to perfect justice.

Lesson

Al-Hakam's judgment is perfect. Even among the righteous, He grants different levels of understanding, and the best judgment considers all parties' interests.

How to Live By This Name

  • 1
    Judge fairly when you are in a position of authority
  • 2
    Accept Allah's judgment in all matters
  • 3
    Refer disputes to Islamic law
  • 4
    Remember that all judgments will be reviewed on the Last Day

Du'a: Ya Hakam, judge between me and my opponents with truth.