Children & Parenting

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَرْبَعَةٍ شَهِدُوا عَلَى رَجُلٍ بِالزِّنَى فَلَمَّا قُتِلَ رَجَعَ أَحَدُهُمْ عَنْ شَهَادَتِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ يُقْتَلُ الرَّابِعُ وَ يُؤَدِّي الثَّلَاثَةُ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ ثَلَاثَةَ أَرْبَاعِ الدِّيَةِ.

5. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Nu’aym al-’Azdiy who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of four witnesses who testify against a man to have committed fornication and when he is executed, one of them retracts his testimony. He (the Imam) said, ‘The four

فِي شَهَادَةِ الزُّورِ إِنْ كَانَ الشَّيْ‌ءُ قَائِماً بِعَيْنِهِ رُدَّ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ وَ إِلَّا ضَمِنَ بِقَدْرِ مَا أُتْلِفَ مِنْ مَالِ الرَّجُلِ.

“About the case of false testimony abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the asset exists, it must be returned to the owner, otherwise, equal to what of the assets of the man is lost must be paid to him.’”

يُضْرَبَانِ الْحَدَّ وَ يُضَمَّنَانِ الصَّدَاقَ لِلزَّوْجِ ثُمَّ تَعْتَدُّ ثُمَّ تَرْجِعُ إِلَى زَوْجِهَا الْأَوَّلِ‌[2].

7. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid who has narrated the following: “About the case of two witnesses who testify for a woman that her husband has divorced her and she marries; but her husband comes and denies the divorce, he (the Imam) has said, ‘The two must be subjected to penalty and held r

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلَانِ بِأَنَّهُ سَرَقَ فَقَطَعَ يَدَهُ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ جَاءَ الشَّاهِدَانِ بِرَجُلٍ آخَرَ فَقَالا هَذَا السَّارِقُ وَ لَيْسَ الَّذِي قَطَعْتَ يَدَهُ إِنَّمَا شَبَّهْنَا ذَلِكَ بِهَذَا فَقَضَى عَلَيْهِمَا أَنْ غَرَّمَهُمَا نِصْفَ الدِّيَةِ وَ لَمْ يُجِزْ شَهَادَتَهُمَا عَلَى الْآخَرِ[3].

“This is about the case of a man against whom two men had testified for theft, thus his hand was cut off and thereafter the two witnesses brought another man saying that this was the thief and not the one whose hand was cut off but we were only confused about it. Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يُجِيزُ فِي الدَّيْنِ شَهَادَةَ رَجُلٍ وَ يَمِينَ الْمُدَّعِي.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that in the case of a loan ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, Alayhi al-Salam, would accept the testimony of one person with the oath of the plaintiff.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي‌ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَضَى بِشَاهِدٍ وَ يَمِينٍ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa who has narrated the following: “I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘My father has narrated to me that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, issued jud

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ عِنْدَ الرَّجُلِ الْحَقُّ وَ لَهُ شَاهِدٌ وَاحِدٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقْضِي بِشَاهِدٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ يَمِينَ صَاحِبِ الْحَقِّ وَ ذَلِكَ فِي الدَّيْنِ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Zur’ah from Sama‘ah from abu Basir who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who has a certain claim on a man about which he has only one witness. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of All

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقْضِي بِشَاهِدٍ وَاحِدٍ مَعَ يَمِينِ صَاحِبِ الْحَقِّ.

4. Abu Ali al-Ash ‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mansur ibn Hazim who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would i

دَخَلَ الْحَكَمُ بْنُ عُتَيْبَةَ وَ سَلَمَةُ بْنُ كُهَيْلٍ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَسَأَلَاهُ عَنْ شَاهِدٍ وَ يَمِينٍ فَقَالَ قَضَى بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ قَضَى بِهِ عَلِيٌّ ع عِنْدَكُمْ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقَالا هَذَا خِلَافُ الْقُرْآنِ فَقَالَ وَ أَيْنَ وَجَدْتُمُوهُ خِلَافَ الْقُرْآنِ فَقَالا إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- وَ أَشْهِدُوا ذَوَيْ عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَهُمَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَوْ

“Once al-Hakam ibn ‘Utaybah and Salmah ibn Kuhayl visited abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, and asked about the testimony of one witness and a oath. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, issued judgment on such basis as wel

إِذَا شَهِدَ لِصَاحِبِ الْحَقِّ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ يَمِينَهُ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ.

6. Certain persons of our people have narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from Sayf ibn ’Am/rah from Mansur ibn Hazim who has narrated the following: “A trustworthy man narrated to me from abu al-Hassan, Alayhi al-Salam, who has said that if two women testify for the right of someone with his (plaintiff’s) oath, i

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَجَازَ شَهَادَةَ النِّسَاءِ مَعَ يَمِينِ الطَّالِبِ فِي الدَّيْنِ يَحْلِفُ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ حَقَّهُ لَحَقٌّ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Urn ay r from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, accepted the testimon

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يُجِيزُ فِي الدَّيْنِ شَهَادَةَ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ يَمِينَ صَاحِبِ الدَّيْنِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ يُجِيزُ فِي الْهِلَالِ إِلَّا شَاهِدَيْ عَدْلٍ.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Ayyub al-Khazzaz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their serv

قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُ شَيْئاً فِي يَدَيْ رَجُلٍ أَ يَجُوزُ لِي أَنْ أَشْهَدَ أَنَّهُ لَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ الرَّجُلُ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ فِي يَدِهِ وَ لَا أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ لَهُ فَلَعَلَّهُ لِغَيْرِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ فَيَحِلُّ الشِّرَاءُ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَعَلَّهُ لِغَيْرِهِ فَمِنْ أَيْنَ جَازَ لَكَ أَنْ تَشْتَرِيَهُ وَ يَصِيرَ مِلْكاً لَ

“Once a man asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘If I see something in the hand of a man can I testify that it belongs to him?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ The man then said, ‘I can testify that it is in his hand but how can I testify that it belongs to him, perhaps it belongs to someone else ? 5 He (the Imam) a

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى يَسْأَلُنِي الشَّهَادَةَ عَلَى أَنَّ هَذِهِ الدَّارَ مَاتَ فُلَانٌ وَ تَرَكَهَا مِيرَاثَهُ وَ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ وَارِثٌ غَيْرُ الَّذِي شَهِدْنَا لَهُ فَقَالَ اشْهَدْ بِمَا هُوَ عِلْمُكَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى يُحْلِفُنَا الْغَمُوسَ قَالَ احْلِفْ إِنَّمَا هُوَ عَلَى عِلْمِكَ.

“I once said to him (the Imam) (a.s.), that ibn abu Layla’ asks me to testify that this is a house and so and so has died and has left it behind as his legacy and that there is no other heir for him except the ones in whose favor we have testified. He (the Imam) said, ‘You can testify about what you have knowledge ther

قُلْتُ يَكُونُ لِلرَّجُلِ مِنْ إِخْوَانِي عِنْدِي شَهَادَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّهَا يُجِيزُهَا الْقُضَاةُ عِنْدَنَا قَالَ فَإِذَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا حَقٌّ فَصَحِّحْهَا بِكُلِّ وَجْهٍ حَتَّى يَصِحَّ لَهُ حَقُّهُ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I bear a testimony for one of our brothers but all of the judges around us do not grant it. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you know that it is right then you can correct it as such that can prove his right.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي دَارِهِ ثُمَّ يَغِيبُ عَنْهَا ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَدَعُ فِيهَا عِيَالَهُ ثُمَّ يَأْتِينَا هَلَاكُهُ وَ نَحْنُ لَا نَدْرِي مَا أَحْدَثَ فِي دَارِهِ وَ لَا نَدْرِي مَا حَدَثَ لَهُ مِنَ الْوَلَدِ إِلَّا أَنَّا لَا نَعْلَمُ نَحْنُ أَنَّهُ أَحْدَثَ فِي دَارِهِ شَيْئاً وَ لَا حَدَثَ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَ لَا يُقْسَمُ هَذِهِ الدَّارُ بَيْنَ وَرَثَتِهِ الَّذِينَ تَرَكَ فِي الد

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a house and he remains absent from it for thirty years; but he leaves his family there, then news of his death comes. We do not know what may have happened in his house as well as to his children. We however, do not know of anything happening to his h

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ الْحَقُّ فَيَجْحَدُهُ حَقَّهُ وَ يَحْلِفُ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَيْسَ لِصَاحِبِ الْحَقِّ عَلَى حَقِّهِ بَيِّنَةٌ يَجُوزُ لَنَا إِحْيَاءُ حَقِّهِ بِشَهَادَةِ الزُّورِ إِذَا خُشِيَ ذَهَابُهُ فَقَالَ لَا يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ لِعِلَّةِ التَّدْلِيسِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man of truth whose claim is denied. The party swears that he does not owe anything in favor of the owner of right and the owner of right does not have any proof; if we can restore his right by false testimony if there is fear for the loss of his right. He (the Im

سَأَلْتُهُ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ لِرَجُلٍ مُخَالِفٍ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَعْسُرَهُ وَ يَحْبِسَهُ وَ قَدْ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ وَ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَيْسَ لِغَرِيمِهِ بَيِّنَةٌ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَحْلِفَ لَهُ لِيَدْفَعَهُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ حَتَّى يُيَسِّرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ الشُّهُودُ مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ قَدْ عَرَفُوا أَنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ هَلْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يَشْهَدُ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who is one of his followers and owes to a Mukhalif (opposing) man a certain amount of loan who wants to cause him difficulties and imprison him. He knows that he does not have anything to pay and he is not able to pay but his creditor has no proof, if it is permissible to

سَأَلْتُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ مَتَى تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الْغُلَامِ فَقَالَ إِذَا بَلَغَ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ يَجُوزُ أَمْرُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص دَخَلَ بِعَائِشَةَ وَ هِيَ بِنْتُ عَشْرِ سِنِينَ وَ لَيْسَ يُدْخَلُ بِالْجَارِيَةِ حَتَّى تَكُونَ امْرَأَةً فَإِذَا كَانَ لِلْغُلَامِ عَشْرُ سِنِينَ جَازَ أَمْرُهُ وَ جَازَتْ‌

“I once asked Isma’il ibn Ja’far, ’When it is permissible for a boy to testify?’ He said, ’It is permissible when he becomes ten years old.’ I then asked, ‘Can he issue a command?’ He said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (sw) went to bed with ‘A’ishah when she was ten years old, and it is not permissible to go to bed with a g

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الصِّبْيَانِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فِي الْقَتْلِ يُؤْخَذُ بِأَوَّلِ كَلَامِهِ وَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ بِالثَّانِي مِنْهُ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Jamil who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), if presenting testimony by children is permissible. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, in the case of murder his first words are accepted but not his second ones.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ شَهَادَةِ الصَّبِيِّ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا إِلَّا فِي الْقَتْلِ يُؤْخَذُ بِأَوَّلِ كَلَامِهِ وَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ بِالثَّانِي.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn Humran who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the testimony of children. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, except in the case of murder, in which case his first words are accepted but his second words are not

فِي الصَّبِيِّ يُشْهَدُ عَلَى الشَّهَادَةِ قَالَ إِنْ عَقَلَهُ حِينَ يُدْرِكُ أَنَّهُ حَقٌّ جَازَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ.

4. Abu Ali al-Ash ‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has narrated the following: “About the case of a child if his bearing testimony to an existing testimony, he (the Imam) said, ‘If his reason can comprehend when he becomes mature that i

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ شَهَادَةَ الصِّبْيَانِ إِذَا أَشْهَدُوهُمْ وَ هُمْ صِغَارٌ جَازَتْ إِذَا كَبِرُوا مَا لَمْ يَنْسَوْهَا.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), has said, ‘If children are asked to bear testimony if they did so as children it is permissible, when they grow up, to present it if they

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّبِيِّ هَلْ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُ فِي الْقَتْلِ قَالَ يُؤْخَذُ بِأَوَّلِ كَلَامِهِ وَ لَا يُؤْخَذُ بِالثَّانِي.

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from Jamil who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a child if he can testify in the case of murder. He (the Imam) said, ‘His first words are accepted but his second words are not acce

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا بَأْسَ بِشَهَادَةِ الْمَمْلُوكِ إِذَا كَانَ عَدْلًا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), has said, ‘A slave’s testimony is not harmful if he is a just man.”’

إِذَا كَانَ عَدْلًا فَهُوَ جَائِزُ الشَّهَادَةِ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ رَدَّ شَهَادَةَ الْمَمْلُوكِ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ تَقَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِ مَمْلُوكٌ فِي شَهَادَةٍ فَقَالَ إِنْ أَقَمْتُ الشَّهَادَةَ تَخَوَّفْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ إِنْ كَتَمْتُهَا أَثِمْتُ بِرَبِّي فَقَالَ هَاتِ شَهَادَتَكَ أَمَا إِنَّا لَا نُجِيزُ شَهَادَةَ مَمْلُوكٍ بَعْدَكَ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Khalid and al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id all from al- Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Urwah from ‘Abd al-Hamid al-Ta’iy from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has narrated the following: “About the testimony of a slave abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If he is

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَمْلُوكِ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ رَدَّ شَهَادَةَ الْمَمْلُوكِ لَفُلَانٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, if the testimony of a slave is acceptable. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is permissible and the first one who rejected the testimony of a slave was so and

قُلْنَا أَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْحُدُودِ فَقَالَ فِي الْقَتْلِ وَحْدَهُ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع كَانَ يَقُولُ لَا يَبْطُلُ دَمُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1].

“We asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), if testimony of women is acceptable in penalty cases. He (the Imam) said, ‘Only in murder cases it is acceptable. ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), would say, “The blood (life) of a Muslim cannot be invalidated.’””

تَجُوزُ إِذَا كَانَ مَعَهُنَّ رَجُلٌ وَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ لَا أُجِيزُهَا فِي الطَّلَاقِ قُلْتُ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ مَعَ الرَّجُلِ فِي الدَّيْنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ شَهَادَةِ الْقَابِلَةِ فِي الْوِلَادَةِ قَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الْوَاحِدَةِ وَ قَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ [فِي الدَّيْنِ وَ] فِي الْمَنْفُوسِ وَ الْعُذْرَةِ وَ حَدَّثَنِي مَنْ سَمِعَهُ يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ أَخْبَرَهُ

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, if testimony by women is acceptable in the case of marriage?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is acceptable if there is a man with them. Ali (a.s.), would say, “I do not accept the testimony by women in divorce.’” I then asked if testimony of women with a man is acceptable in matters of

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ شَهَادَةِ النِّسَاءِ فِي الرَّجْمِ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ ثَلَاثَةُ رِجَالٍ وَ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ إِذَا كَانَ رَجُلَانِ وَ أَرْبَعُ نِسْوَةٍ لَمْ يَجُزْ فِي الرَّجْمِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the testimony of women in the case of stoning. He (the Imam) said, ‘If there are three men and two women, but if there are two men and four women, stoning is not permissible.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ شَهَادَةِ النِّسَاءِ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ وَحْدَهُنَّ عَلَى مَا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ الرِّجَالُ يَنْظُرُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي النِّكَاحِ إِذَا كَانَ مَعَهُنَّ رَجُلٌ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ فِي الطَّلَاقِ وَ لَا فِي الدَّمِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهَا فِي حَدِّ الزِّنَى إِذَا كَانَ ثَلَاثَةُ رِجَالٍ وَ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ رَجُلَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعِ ن

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the testimony of women. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is acceptable in matters in which men cannot become a witness. It is acceptable about marriage if there is a man with them, but it is not acceptable in divorce or blood (life) except that it is acceptable in the penalty for forni

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي نِكَاحٍ أَوْ طَلَاقٍ أَوْ فِي رَجْمٍ قَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِيمَا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ الرِّجَالُ أَنْ يَنْظُرُوا إِلَيْهِ وَ لَيْسَ مَعَهُنَّ رَجُلٌ وَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُنَّ فِي النِّكَاحِ إِذَا كَانَ مَعَهُنَّ رَجُلٌ وَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُنَّ فِي حَدِّ الزِّنَى إِذَا كَانَ ثَلَاثَةُ رِجَالٍ وَ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), if testimony of women is acceptable in marriage or divorce or stoning. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is acceptable in matters which men cannot witness (look at) and there is no man with them. Their testimony in marriage is acceptable if there is a man with them; and their testimo

قَالَ: لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْهِلَالِ وَ لَا فِي الطَّلَاقِ وَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ النِّسَاءِ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُنَّ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فِي الْعُذْرَةِ وَ النُّفَسَاءِ.

“He (the Imam) has said that testimony of women about new moon is not acceptable as well as in divorce. I asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), if testimony of women is acceptable. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is acceptable about virginity and childbirth.’”

تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْعُذْرَةِ وَ كُلِّ عَيْبٍ لَا يَرَاهُ الرِّجَالُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said testimony of women about virginity and every defect which men cannot look at is admissible.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي رُؤْيَةِ الْهِلَالِ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ فِي الرَّجْمِ شَهَادَةُ رَجُلَيْنِ وَ أَرْبَعِ نِسْوَةٍ وَ تَجُوزُ فِي ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَةُ رِجَالٍ وَ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ قَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ وَحْدَهُنَّ بِلَا رِجَالٍ فِي كُلِّ مَا لَا يَجُوزُ لِلرِّجَالِ النَّظَرُ إِلَيْهِ وَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الْقَابِلَةِ وَحْدَهَا فِي الْمَنْفُوسِ‌[1].

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Testimony of women about the new moon is not acceptable. It is not acceptable in stoning with two men and four women but it is acceptable with three men and two women.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The testimony of women without men is acceptable in matters that cannot be witnessed

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ شَهَادَةِ النِّسَاءِ تَجُوزُ فِي النِّكَاحِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ فِي الطَّلَاقِ قَالَ وَ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الرَّجْمِ إِذَا كَانَ ثَلَاثَةُ رِجَالٍ وَ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ إِذَا كَانَ أَرْبَعُ نِسْوَةٍ وَ رَجُلَانِ فَلَا تَجُوزُ فِي الرَّجْمِ قُلْتُ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ مَعَ الرِّجَالِ فِي الدَّمِ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the testimony of women if it is acceptable in marriage. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is acceptable, but it is not acceptable about divorce.’ He (the Imam) said that Ali (a.s.), has said, ‘Testimony of women is acceptable in stoning if there are three men and two women; but if ther

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ يَحْضُرُهَا الْمَوْتُ وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهَا إِلَّا امْرَأَةٌ أَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهَا أَمْ لَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْمَنْفُوسِ وَ الْعُذْرَةِ[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who is about to die and there is no one with her except a woman; if her testimony is admissible or not. He (the Imam) said, ‘Testimony of women is acceptable about childbirth and virginity.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِيمَا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ الرِّجَالُ أَنْ يَنْظُرُوا إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْهَدُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُنَّ فِي النِّكَاحِ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ فِي الطَّلَاقِ وَ لَا فِي الدَّمِ وَ تَجُوزُ فِي حَدِّ الزِّنَى إِذَا كَانَ ثَلَاثَةُ رِجَالٍ وَ امْرَأَتَانِ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ إِذَا كَانَ رَجُلَانِ وَ أَرْبَعُ نِسْوَةٍ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُنَّ فِي الرَّجْمِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Testimony of women is acceptable in matters where men cannot witness and look to bear witness thereof. Testimony of women is acceptable about marriage but not about divorce or blood (life) and it is acceptable about the penalty for fornication if there are three men and two

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ هِيَ حَامِلٌ فَوَضَعَتْ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ غُلَاماً ثُمَّ مَاتَ الْغُلَامُ بَعْدَ مَا وَقَعَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فَشَهِدَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ الَّتِي قَبِلَتْهَا أَنَّهُ اسْتَهَلَّ وَ صَاحَ حِينَ وَقَعَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَالَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُجِيزَ شَهَادَتَهَا فِي رُبُعِ مِيرَاثِ الْغُلَامِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind a woman who is pregnant and gives birth after his death to a boy. Then the boy dies after falling on the ground and she who nursed witnesses it all. She says that he was alive and cried upon falling on the ground, then died. He (the

أُجِيزُ شَهَادَةَ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْغُلَامِ صَاحَ أَمْ لَمْ يَصِحْ وَ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ الرِّجَالُ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِيهِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, T accept testimony of women about a boy who cried or did not cry, and about everything to which men cannot look, the testimony of women is acceptable.’”

قَالَ: تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الرَّجُلِ لِامْرَأَتِهِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ لِزَوْجِهَا إِذَا كَانَ مَعَهَا غَيْرُهَا.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the testimony of a man is acceptable for his wife and testimony of a wife is acceptable for her husband if there are others with her.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْ قَالَ سَأَلَهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْهَدُ لِامْرَأَتِهِ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ خَيِّراً جَازَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ لِامْرَأَتِهِ.

“I or a certain persons of our people asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who presents testimony for his wife. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is for a good cause it is permissible to testify for one’s wife.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ شَهَادَةِ الْوَلَدِ لِوَالِدِهِ وَ الْوَالِدِ لِوَلَدِهِ وَ الْأَخِ لِأَخِيهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the testimony of a father for his son or a son’s testimony for his father and the testimony of a brother for his brother. He (the Imam) said, ’It is permissible.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ شَهَادَةِ الْوَالِدِ لِوَلَدِهِ وَ الْوَلَدِ لِوَالِدِهِ وَ الْأَخِ لِأَخِيهِ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the testimony of a father for his son, the testimony of a son for his father and the testimony of a brother for his brother. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الْوَلَدِ لِوَالِدِهِ وَ الْوَالِدِ لِوَلَدِهِ وَ الْأَخِ لِأَخِيهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The testimony of a father for his son, the testimony of a son for his father and the testimony of a brother for his brother is permissible.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْ قَالَ سَأَلَهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْهَدُ لِأَبِيهِ أَوِ الْأَبِ يَشْهَدُ لِابْنِهِ أَوِ الْأَخِ لِأَخِيهِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ خَيِّراً جَازَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ لِأَبِيهِ وَ الْأَبِ لِابْنِهِ وَ الْأَخِ لِأَخِيهِ‌[1].

“I or a certain persons of our people asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who testifies for his father or a father testifies for his son or for his brother. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful if it is for a good cause. His testimony is permissible for his father as is the case with a father’s testi

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ وَلَدِ الزِّنَى أَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهَا تَجُوزُ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَغْفِرْ ذَنْبَهُ مَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِلْحَكَمِ بْنِ عُتَيْبَةَ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌[3].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the testimony of one who is born out of wedlock if it is acceptable. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not acceptable.’ I then said that al-Hakam ibn al-‘Utaybah considers it acceptable. He (the Imam) said, ‘O Lord, do not forgive his sin. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has not

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ وَلَدِ الزِّنَى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The testimony of one born out of wedlock is not admissible.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ أَنَّ أَرْبَعَةً شَهِدُوا عِنْدِي عَلَى رَجُلٍ بِالزِّنَى وَ فِيهِمْ وَلَدُ الزِّنَى لَحَدَدْتُهُمْ جَمِيعاً لِأَنَّهُ لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُ وَ لَا يَؤُمُّ النَّاسَ.

“I once heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘If four men among whom one is born out of wedlock testify before me against a man for fornication I will execute penalty on them all because his testimony is not acceptable and he cannot lead the people in Salat (prayer).’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الصَّبِيِّ وَ الْعَبْدِ وَ النَّصْرَانِيِّ يَشْهَدُونَ بِشَهَادَةٍ فَيُسْلِمُ النَّصْرَانِيُّ أَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a child, a slave and a Christian who bear testimony; then the Christian becomes a Muslim, if his testimony becomes admissible. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it becomes admissible.’”