Mughal Administration c10.s1.1

c10.s1.1

The *qāzi*, by the theory of his office, ought to adjudicate all cases, civil and criminal. But in practice, from quite an early period of the Caliphate there has been throughout the Muslim world a twofold method of administration of law, *viz.*, (i) religious suits to be decided by the *qāzi* according to Canon Law, and (ii) secular cases to be tried by the lay authorities who followed some legal system or practice other than the Quranic Law or *Shara‘*. "The Prophet and the early Caliphs often decided disputes in person as judges, as did their governors and prefects in the various provinces. Justice was always administered in Muslim lands to a great extent by local authorities. This was sometimes called *Nazar fi’l-Mazālim*” [*Ency. Isl.* ii. 606]—or, as Aurangzib called his own Wednesday session of justice, *Diwān-i-Mazālim*.