Chapter on False Testimony and What Has Been Reported Regarding it

Hadith.3331 - Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr narrated from Jamil ibn Darraj from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding false testimony. Imam (as) said: "If the thing is present in its original form, it is returned to its owner. But if it is no longer present, then the false witness is liable for the value of what he caused to be lost from the man's property."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3332 - Sama'ah narrated from Abu Abdullah (as), who said: "False witnesses are subjected to flogging as a punishment, and its extent is determined by the Imam. They are paraded publicly so that they may be recognized and refrain from repeating the act." I said: "If they repent and reform, will their testimony be accepted afterward?" Imam (as) said: "If they repent, Allah (swt) accepts their repentance, and their testimony will be accepted thereafter."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3333 - It is reported that when Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) apprehended a false witness, if the person was a stranger, he would send him back to his tribe. If the person was a tradesman, Imam (as) would send him to his marketplace. Then Imam (as) would parade him publicly, imprison him for a few days, and afterward release him.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3334 - Ibrahim ibn Abdul Hamid reported from Abu Basir, who narrated from Abu Abdullah (as), regarding a woman for whom two witnesses testified that her husband had died. She then remarried, but later her first husband returned. Imam (as) said: "The second husband owes her the dowry because he lawfully enjoyed her intimacy. The two witnesses are to be given the prescribed punishment (for false testimony) and held liable for the dowry due to having deceived the man. The woman must observe the waiting period ('iddah) and then return to her first husband."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3335 - Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub reported from Al-Ala and Abu Ayyub, who narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), regarding two men who testified against an absent man in the presence of his wife, claiming that he had divorced her. The woman observed her waiting period (iddah) and then remarried. Later, the absent husband returned, asserting that he had not divorced her, and one of the witnesses admitted to lying. Imam (as) said: "The second husband has no claim over her, and the dowry is to be taken from the witness who retracted his testimony and returned to the second husband. They must be separated, and the woman must observe the waiting period (iddah) from the second husband. The first husband may not approach her until her waiting period has ended."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3336 - Ali ibn Matar narrated from Abdullah ibn Sinan, who reported from Abu Abdullah (as), that Imam (as) said: "False witnesses are subjected to a punishment of flogging, the duration of which is determined by the Imam. They are paraded so that people recognize them." Allah (swt), the Almighty, says: 'And do not accept their testimony ever, and those are the defiantly disobedient-except for those who repent.' (Surah An-Nur 24:4-5) I asked: 'How is their repentance recognized?' Imam (as) said: 'He must publicly declare his falsehood before the witnesses where he was punished, and seek forgiveness from his Lord (azj), the Almighty. If he does this, then his repentance becomes evident.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3337 - The Messenger of Allah (swt), peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "The speech of a false witness does not end before the judge without him having taken his seat in the Hellfire, and the same applies to one who conceals testimony."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3338 - Salih bin Mitham narrated from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), who said: "There is no man who gives false testimony against a Muslim to seize his wealth except that Allah (swt) writes for him a decree to Hell in its place."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.3339 - Jamil bin Darraj narrated from someone who informed him about one of the Imams, peace be upon them, who said: "Regarding witnesses who testify against a man and then retract their testimony-if a judgment has already been passed against the man, the witnesses are held liable for what they testified and must pay compensation. However, if no judgment has been passed, their testimony is discarded, and the witnesses are not required to pay anything."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.