Nahr al-Hudud

Nahr al-Hudud, meaning "River of the Hudud," was a 19th-century legal reform in the Ottoman Empire aimed at modernizing the justice system by codifying Islamic criminal law (Hudud laws). These laws include punishments for specific offenses like theft or adultery. The reforms sought to standardize enforcement and improve fairness, often through new procedures, legal training, and written codes. Although intended to strengthen justice, Nahr al-Hudud faced criticism from those who believed it either undermined traditional practices or was insufficiently strict, leading to ongoing debates about its application and impact within Ottoman society.