Hadith record

Hadith.3428 - Muhammad ibn Qays narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as): Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) was in the Mosque of Kufa when Abdullah ibn Qufl al-Taymi passed by him, carrying the armor of Talha. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "This is Talha's armor, which was taken unlawfully on the day of Basra." Ibn Qufl said: "O Commander of the Faithful, appoint as judge between you and me the one you have approved for the Muslims." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) appointed Shurayh as the judge. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "This is Talha's armor, which was taken unlawfully on the day of Basra." Shurayh said: "O Commander of the Faithful, bring evidence for what you claim." So Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) brought Imam Hasan ibn Ali (as), who testified that it was Talha's armor and had been taken unlawfully on the day of Basra. Shurayh said: "This is one witness, but I do not pass judgment based on a single witness until there is another." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) then brought Qanbar, who testified that it was Talha's armor and had been taken unlawfully on the day of Basra. Shurayh said: "This is a servant, and I do not pass judgment based on the testimony of a servant." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) became angry and said: "Take the armor, for this judge has ruled unjustly three times." Shurayh then moved away from his seat and said: "I will not judge between two people until you explain to me how I have ruled unjustly three times." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "When I told you that it was Talha's armor, taken unlawfully on the day of Basra, you demanded evidence, even though the Messenger of Allah (swt), peace be upon him and his family, said: 'Wherever stolen property is found, it shall be taken without the need for evidence.' I said to myself, 'Perhaps this man has not heard this Hadith.' Then I brought you al-Hasan (as), who testified, and you said: 'This is one witness, and I do not pass judgment based on a single witness until there is another.' Yet the Messenger of Allah (swt), peace be upon him and his family, passed judgment based on one witness and an oath. This was the second error. Then I brought you Qanbar, who testified, and you said: 'This is a servant, and I do not accept the testimony of a servant.' But there is nothing wrong with accepting the testimony of a servant if he is just. This was the third error." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "O Shurayh, the Imam of the Muslims is entrusted with matters greater than this." Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) said: "The first to reject the testimony of a servant was Rum'a."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.