Guidance for the Judge

Question:
What are your Excellency’s guidelines regarding a judge’s preparation and his knowledge of all the regulations in force within the scope of his work?

Answer:
These are undoubtedly important matters, but they are governed by the Shari'ah of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). If the need arises for any of them, it is obligatory to weigh them by the Shari'ah scale. Whatever conforms to the truth is accepted, and whatever contradicts the truth is pointed out. One should not be shy or negligent in this, but rather clarify the truth; for the judge is in the highest ranks—the ranks of scholars—and he should state this explicitly to the authorities so that the error may be corrected. If the situation requires consultation with his brothers and colleagues, and there is a difficulty, he should consult with them. As is well known, religion is sincere advice for Allah, His Book, and His Messenger.
It is also important to know the conventions and terminology of people, and to know their customs, so that he may use them to help understand the case. This is a matter of importance for the judge, as it helps him resolve many of the problems brought to him.