The Judiciary during the Reign of nur al-Din Zengi, Sultan of the Zengid State (541 AH / 1146 CE – 569 AH / 1174 CE).
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Abstract
The judiciary is a fundamental pillar in the establishment of organized societies. It occupied a prominent position in the Islamic state due to its direct in implementing Islamic law and ensuring justice. Linguistically, , settlement, and completion, while technically it refers to the authority responsible for adjudicating disputes among people. The legitimacy of the judiciary is founded upon the Holy Qur'an and the Prophetic Sunnah, underscoring its significance within the Islamic system.
At the beginning of the sixth century AH (twelfth century CE), Imad al-Din Zengi succeeded in establishing a vast principality in the regions of al-Sham and al-Jazira (Upper Mesopotamia). This state endured for several decades, during which its rulers attached great importance to the judicial institution. The judiciary was placed under the supervision of the supreme political authority, while judges were granted broad powers encompassing religious and administrative responsibilities, as well as jurisdiction over a wide range of civil, criminal, and political cases.
Following the death of Imad al-Din Zengi, his son Nur al-Din Mahmud assumed control of the western part of the Zengid realm, including the city of Aleppo and its surrounding territories. Nur al-Din devoted considerable attention to the judiciary, regarding it as a cornerstone of state administration. One of his most significant judicial reforms was the establishment of the Dār al-ʿAdl (House of Justice) in Damascus, a special institution for investigating grievances. Functioning as a supreme court, it was responsible for hearing complaints and holding senior state officials, including governors, military commanders, and high-ranking administrators, accountable for their conduct.
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