(pl. fuqah膩示, from Arabic root f-q-h meaning to have a correct understanding of matters). A 蹿补辩墨丑 is an expert in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). Early in the 10th century CE, the fuqah膩示 represented a major part of the religious elite. They functioned as judges (qu岣嵞乼) and jurisconsults (muft墨n). The importance of the fuqah膩示 has steadily declined during the 20th-century as a result of the massive legal reforms which took place in most Muslim countries during and after the colonial period. The fuqah膩示 have largely been replaced by modern lawyers, jurists, and judges.
