mufti

[ muhf-tee ]

noun

, plural muf·tis.

1. civilian clothes, in contrast with military or other uniforms, or as worn by a person who usually wears a uniform.
2. a Muslim jurist expert in the religious law.
3. (in the Ottoman Empire) a deputy of the chief Muslim legal adviser to the Sultan.
4. (initial capital letter) Grand Mufti.

mufti

¹

/ ˈmʌftɪ /

noun

1. a Muslim legal expert and adviser on the law of the Koran
2. (in the former Ottoman empire) the leader of the religious community

mufti

²

/ ˈmʌftɪ /

noun

1. civilian dress, esp as worn by a person who normally wears a military uniform

Word History and Origins

Origin of mufti¹

First recorded in 1580–90, mufti is from the Arabic word muftī literally, “a person who delivers a judgment,” originally a Muslim legal adviser; sense of mufti def 1 arises from the legal adviser being a civil official

Word History and Origins

Origin of mufti¹

C16: from Arabic muftī, from aftā to give a (legal) decision

Origin of mufti²

C19: perhaps from mufti ¹

Example Sentences

Akhmed Tamim, supreme mufti of Ukraine and head of the Religious Administration of Ukrainian Muslims, echoed other members of the delegation.

From Seattle Times

A similar appeal was issued by Dagestan's chief Muslim cleric, or mufti.

From Reuters

That unease perhaps began with Al-Husseini, the World War II-era grand mufti of Jerusalem and Palestinian Arab nationalist, an enthusiastic Nazi supporter who helped recruit Bosnian Muslims to their side, and whose antisemitism was well-documented.

From Seattle Times

On Wednesday he met with Tunisia's chief rabbi, chief Christian archbishop and Muslim mufti, saying that receiving clerics sent a "historical message" of coexistence and tolerance.

From Reuters

An imposing beard sprouts from his face like a holy land mufti.

From Los Angeles Times