noun

mufti

MUF-tee

Mufti (noun) means a Muslim legal scholar qualified to issue a fatwa, a formal ruling on a point of Islamic law. Example: “The Grand Mufti issued a ruling on the use of the vaccine.”

noun

A Muslim legal scholar qualified to issue a fatwa, a formal ruling on a point of Islamic law.

"The Grand Mufti issued a ruling on the use of the vaccine."

"He studied for years before being appointed mufti of the province."

British Ordinary civilian clothes worn by someone who normally wears a uniform, such as a soldier or a schoolchild.

"The officers arrived in mufti so as not to draw attention."

"Friday is a mufti day — no uniform, bring a pound for charity."

How to use mufti

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn Islamic legal expert, or in British English, everyday clothes instead of uniform.

When to use it

Sense 1 is standard worldwide. Sense 2 is British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand usage, and is most often met by schoolchildren in 'mufti day'.

Memory tip

'In mufti' takes no article — say 'he came in mufti', never 'in a mufti'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

imam → fatwa civvies →

Common pairings

Grand Mufti the mufti of in mufti mufti day

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The Grand _____ issued a ruling on the use of the vaccine.

Etymology

From Arabic muftī, the one who delivers a fatwa, from aftā 'to give a legal opinion'. The 'civilian clothes' sense arose in nineteenth-century British military slang; its connection to the Arabic word is not securely established.

Origin: Arabic

Synonyms

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jurist faqih civvies plain clothes

Antonyms

uniform

Related words

even level standard justice judge equal flat constant

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mufti and an imam?

An imam leads congregational prayer and typically serves a particular mosque and community. A mufti is a scholar of Islamic jurisprudence whose role is to answer legal questions by issuing fatwas, and it is a matter of legal training rather than of leading worship.

What is a mufti day at school?

It is a day when pupils may wear their own clothes instead of school uniform, usually in exchange for a small donation to charity. The term is standard in Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand; American schools call the same thing a free dress day.

What is the meaning of mufti?

"mufti" (noun) means a Muslim legal scholar qualified to issue a fatwa, a formal ruling on a point of Islamic law.

What is another word for mufti?

Other words for "mufti" include jurist, faqih, civvies, plain clothes.

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