hududi

Hududi is an Arabic term that literally means “boundary” or “limit.” It is the plural form of *hudud*, the word used in classical Arabic literature and in contemporary legal and administrative contexts to denote borders, limits, or prescribed boundaries. The word is frequently found in geographical dictionaries, encyclopedias, and legal treatises, where it can describe natural barriers such as rivers or mountains, man‑made divisions like state borders, or abstract limits such as the extent of a ruler’s authority.

In medieval Islamic law, *hududi* (or more commonly *hudud*) refers to a set of fixed penalties associated with certain crimes, such as theft or apostasy. Although the doctrinal text labels these penalties as *hudud*, the term itself has broader secular uses as well. In contemporary scholarship, *hududi* can refer to policy documents that set practical limits on developmental projects or to socio‑cultural discussions of personal boundaries within a community.

The term is also used in numerous place‑names across the Arab world and in areas influenced by Arabic culture. Examples include Hududi Islands in western Asia and Hududi District in Ethiopia, where the name reflects historical associations with territorial demarcation. The usage of *hududi* in modern contexts frequently appears in official statements, urban planning documents, and discussions of diplomatic negotiations where clear demarcations of responsibility or jurisdiction are required.