while its opposite is fickleness, haste, sharpness, rashness, and lack of composure. Accordingly, the judge must exhibit deliberation—that is, calm restraint—lest his impatience lead him to what is unseemly; he must be shrewd, so that no litigant can deceive him; he must be chaste, holding himself back from what is unlawful; and he must be versed in the rulings of those judges who came before him. Whenever possible, his court should be situated in the center of town so that all its inhabitants have equal access to it. There is no objection to adjudicating in the mosque, for it is reported that ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and ʿAlī used to pass judgment there.

The judge is required to treat the two parties equally—in his glance, in the seating he provides, and in the manner he admits them into his presence. Abū Dāwūd narrated from Ibn al-Zubayr who said: “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ruled that the two litigants should sit before the judge.” Therefore, he must be even-handed toward them in his court, in the attention he gives them, and in the words he addresses to them.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said: “He forbade elevating one litigant above the other, turning exclusively toward him, consulting privately with him, or standing for him without doing the same for his opponent, lest that break the other’s heart, weaken him from presenting his proof, and bind his tongue. Nor should the judge frown at the litigants, for frowning weakens their spirits, breaks their hearts, and restrains their tongues from articulating their arguments.”

It is unlawful for the judge to whisper to one of the parties, to coach him in his plea, to host him, or to teach him how to formulate his claim—unless the claimant has omitted something that he is duty-bound to state.

The judge should have jurists present in his court and consult them about whatever