The Will and What it Must Consist of

The Witness for the Will

A Man Makes a Will and Appoints an Executor but he Refuses to Accept it

The Owner is more Rightful to his Property as Long as he is Living

Making a Will for the Heir

The Matters for which one can Make a Will and what is Preferable in the Issue

Another Chapter

A Man Makes a Will, then Cancels it

If the Beneficiary of a Will dies before the Death of the Testator or before Taking Possession

Executing the Will as it Requires

A Will for Setting free Slaves, Charity or al-Hajj

The Executor of the Will must Correct the Possible Violation of the Law in the Will

An Executor of the Will is held Responsible for Changing a Lawful Will

Al-Mudabbar (the Slave for whose Freedom Death of the Master is a Condition) is from One Third of the Legacy

First the Shroud, then Debts, then Will is paid for from the Legacy

The Will and Debts

One Who Sets Free a Slave and He is Indebted

The Will about a Contracted Slave

The Will of Immature Boys and Girls, the Lawful and Unlawful Matters in it

Will in Favor of Mothers of Children

The Matters Permissible in Endowment, Charity, Gift, Present, Providing Conditional Housing and Matters Permissible or otherwise for a Child and others

The Will for a Part of One’s Assets

The Will about Something of One’s Legacy

The Will about a Share of One’s Legacy

One in His Illness Confesses His Indebtedness to One of his Heirs

When certain ones of the Heirs Confirm Freeing of a Slave or Debts

The Case of One Who Leaves very Little Legacy with a Larger Amount of Debt and Dependents

The Adults whose Will is not Acceptable

Distribution of What is Bequeathed To Relatives

The Case of one who Makes a Bequest for an Adult with whom a Child must Share

The Case of One’s Appointing Two Executors for the Will, Each of whom Deals with a Certain Portion of the Legacy

Charities of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, Fatimah and ‘A’immah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam

Things that Reach a Deceased after his Death

The Rare Ahadith

The Case of One who Dies without a Will, Leaves behind Small Heirs and it is Sold upon Him

The Executor of the Will Hands over the Assets of Children who were Small, now Adults, but they Refuse to Take Charge, the Children who Become Adults but are not Found to be of Proper Understanding, the Limit of Adulthood

The Ordained Shares

The Legacy Comes from the Share of the One Nearest in Relationship to Him and that the Owner of Ordained Share is more Deserving than those who do not have any Ordained Share

Obligations are not Fulfilled without the Sword

Invalidity of Deficiency (in the Ordained Shares)

Another Chapter on Invalidity of al-‘Awl (deficiency or excess) and the Ordained Shares are not more than Six

Knowing to Avoid Deficiency

With the Existence of a Child and Parents no one Else Inherits Except a Husband and Wife

The Reason Why Ordained Shares are not more than Six

The Reason Why a Male’s Share is Twice the Share of a Female

The Legacy is Just for the Eldest Son

The Share of Children from the Legacy

The Share of Grandchildren in the legacy

Inheritance of Parents

Inheritance of Parents with Brothers and Sisters from the Father and Brothers and Sisters from the Mother

The Inheritance of a Son with both Parents

Inheritance of the Son, with Husband and Woman and Both Parents

Inheritance of Parents with Husband and Wife

AI-Kalalah (Burdensome one’s in Inheritance)

Inheritance of Brothers and Sisters with Children

Inheritance of the Grandfather

Brothers from a Mother with the Grandfather

Son of a Brother with a Grandfather

Inheritance of Relatives

A Woman Leaves Behind Just her Husband

A Deceased Leaves behind Just his Wife

Women do not Inherit Anything from Real Property

Dispute of Man and Woman over Household Items

Inheritance of a Boy and a Girl who are not yet Mature

The Inheritance of a Married and Mature Female before going to Bed

Inheritance of Women Divorced during Illness or without Illness

Inheritance of Relatives with Mawali

Inheritance of People Drowned and because of the Collapse of a Structure on them

Inheritance of People Killed, those who Inherit and those who do not Inherit from the Wergild

The Inheritance of a Killer

Inheritance of People of other Religions

Another Chapter on Inheritance of People of other Religions

The Inheritance of the People of Religion among them according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Holy Prophet

If a Deceased Leaves Behind Muslim and non-Muslim Heirs

Inheritance of Slaves

The Free and Slaves do not Inherit each other

Deceased leaves Behind One Free and One Owned Heir

The Inheritance Due to Special Contract

Inheritance of an Apostate

Inheritance of One who is Lost

Inheritance of the Crying Newborn Child

Inheritance of Hermaphrodite

Inheritance of the Child of Parents who Condemn Each other (al -Mula‘anah (condemnation))

Another Chapter about the Child of Mula‘anah (condemnation)

Inheritance of a Child from Fornication

The Case of a Child Carried away from his Birthplace ( al-Hamil )

Confirming of Certain Heir a Debt

1- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ وَهْبٍ قَالَ كَانَ الْبَلاطُ حَيْثُ يُصَلَّى عَلَى الْجَنَائِزِ سُوقاً عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يُسَمَّى الْبَطْحَاءَ يُبَاعُ فِيهَا الْحَلِيبُ وَالسَّمْنُ وَالأقِطُ وَإِنَّ أَعْرَابِيّاً أَتَى بِفَرَسٍ لَهُ فَأَوْثَقَهُ فَاشْتَرَاهُ مِنْهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) ثُمَّ دَخَلَ لِيَأْتِيَهُ بِالثَّمَنِ فَقَامَ نَاسٌ مِنَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ فَقَالُوا بِكَمْ بِعْتَ فَرَسَكَ قَالَ بِكَذَا وَكَذَا قَالُوا بِئْسَ مَا بِعْتَ فَرَسُكَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) خَرَجَ إِلَيْهِ بِالثَّمَنِ وَافِياً طَيِّباً فَقَالَ الأعْرَابِيُّ مَا بِعْتُكَ وَاللهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) سُبْحَانَ اللهِ بَلَى وَاللهِ لَقَدْ بِعْتَنِي وَارْتَفَعَتِ الأصْوَاتُ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ رَسُولُ اللهِ يُقَاوِلُ الأعْرَابِيَّ فَاجْتَمَعَ نَاسٌ كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَمَعَ النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَصْحَابُهُ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ خُزَيْمَةُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ الأنْصَارِيُّ فَفَرَّجَ النَّاسَ بِيَدِهِ حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ أَشْهَدُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَقَدِ اشْتَرَيْتَهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ الأعْرَابِيُّ أَتَشْهَدُ وَلَمْ تَحْضُرْنَا وَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَشَهِدْتَنَا فَقَالَ لَهُ لا يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَلَكِنِّي عَلِمْتُ أَنَّكَ قَدِ اشْتَرَيْتَ أَفَأُصَدِّقُكَ بِمَا جِئْتَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ وَلا أُصَدِّقُكَ عَلَى هَذَا الأعْرَابِيِّ الْخَبِيثِ قَالَ فَعَجِبَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) وَقَالَ يَا خُزَيْمَةُ شَهَادَتُكَ شَهَادَةُ رَجُلَيْنِ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab who has narrated the following: “The paved area where Salat (prayer) for the dead had been performed in the time of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, was called al-Batha’ where people sold milk, ghee and cheese. A desert dwelling Arab once came with his horse and tied it there. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, bought it from him. He (the Messenger of Allah) went inside to bring the price. Certain hypocrites asked the man, Tor how much did you sell your horse?’ He replied, T have sold it for such and such amount.’ They said, ‘This is a bad deal. Your horse is better than this.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, then came out with the complete and nice price. The Arab man said, ‘By Allah I did not sell it.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘Allah is free of all defects, yes, by Allah, you sold it to me.’ Voices rose and certain people said, ‘The Messenger of Allah is bargaining with a desert Arab man.’ Many people gathered around. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘With the Holy Prophet, there his companions were also present when Khudhaymah ibn Thabit Ansari came and moved people with his hand until he reached the Holy Prophet, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I testify that you bought from him.’ The Arab man said, ‘How can you testify, when you were not here present with us?’ The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘Did you see us concluding the sale?’ Khudhaymah said, ‘No, I was not here, but I know that you have bought it. I have believed in what you have brought from Allah and acknowledged your truthfulness; how can I not believe you against this filthy Arab? How that can happen?’ He (the Imam) said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, liked his standpoint and said, ‘O Khudhaymah, your testimony equals to two testimonies.’” 

2- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ الْبَغْدَادِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ أَبِيهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ أُتِيَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ بِقُدَامَةَ بْنِ مَظْعُونٍ وَقَدْ شَرِبَ الْخَمْرَ فَشَهِدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلانِ أَحَدُهُمَا خَصِيٌّ وَهُوَ عَمْرٌو التَّمِيمِيُّ وَالآخَرُ الْمُعَلَّى بْنُ الْجَارُودِ فَشَهِدَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَنَّهُ رَآهُ يَشْرَبُ وَشَهِدَ الآخَرُ أَنَّهُ رَآهُ يَقِي‏ءُ الْخَمْرَ فَأَرْسَلَ عُمَرُ إِلَى أُنَاسٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللهِ فِيهِمْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ لأمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَا تَقُولُ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ فَإِنَّكَ الَّذِي قَالَ فِيكَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ هَذِهِ الأمَّةِ وَأَقْضَاهَا بِالْحَقِّ فَإِنَّ هَذَيْنِ قَدِ اخْتَلَفَا فِي شَهَادَتِهِمَا قَالَ مَا اخْتَلَفَ فِي شَهَادَتِهِمَا وَمَا قَاءَهَا حَتَّى شَرِبَهَا فَقَالَ هَلْ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ الْخَصِيِّ قَالَ مَا ذَهَابُ لِحْيَتِهِ إِلا كَذَهَابِ بَعْضِ أَعْضَائِهِ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Musa ibn Ja‘far af-Baghdadiy from Ja‘far ibn Yahya fn ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman fn af-Husayn ibn Zayd who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, has narrated from his father, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who has said that once Qudamah ibn Maz‘un was brought before ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab because of drinking wine and two men testified against him. One, called ‘Amr al- Tamimiy, was castrated and the other one was Mu‘alla’ ibn al- Jarud. One of them testified that he saw him drinking wine and the other said that he saw him throwing out wine. ‘Umar then sent for several people of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, among whom one was ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.). ‘Umar then asked, ‘What do you say, O abu al-Hassan? You are the one about whom the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “He is the most knowledgeable one in the nation and the one who judges with the truth all the time.” These have presented different testimonies.’ He (the Imam) said there is no difference in their testimonies, he could not have thrown out wine without drinking it.’ ‘Umar then asked about the testimony of a castrated man. He (the Imam) said, ‘His losing his beard is just like the loss of a certain part of his body.’” 

3- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ يُونُسَ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ بَكْرٍ عَنِ الْحَكَمِ بْنِ أَبِي عَقِيلٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ لِي خَصْماً يَتَكَثَّرُ عَلَيَّ بِالشُّهُودِ الزُّورِ وَقَدْ كَرِهْتُ مُكَافَأَتَهُ مَعَ أَنِّي لا أَدْرِي أَيَصْلُحُ لِي ذَلِكَ أَمْ لا قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي أَمَا بَلَغَكَ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ لا تُؤْسِرُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَ أَمْوَالَكُمْ بِشَهَادَاتِ الزُّورِ فَمَا عَلَى امْرِئٍ مِنْ وَكَفٍ فِي دِينِهِ وَلا مَأْثَمٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ أَنْ يَدْفَعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُ كَمَا أَنَّهُ لَوْ دَفَعَ بِشَهَادَتِهِ عَنْ فَرْجٍ حَرَامٍ وَسَفْكِ دَمٍ حَرَامٍ كَانَ ذَلِكَ خَيْراً لَهُ وَكَذَلِكَ مَالُ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from Mansur from Yunus from Musa ibn Bakr from al-Hakam ibn abu ‘Aqil who has narrated the following: “I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that my opponent brings a great deal of false testimony against me and I dislike to fight back. I do not know if it is the right thing that I do. He (the Imam) said to me, ’Have you not noticed that ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, Alayhi al-Salam, would say, “Do not leave yourselves and assets hostage to the false testimonies.” If it is not an offense in religion and a sin against his Lord, then there is nothing wrong for a man to defend himself. It is like preventing unlawful sexual relations and unlawful bloodshed by one’s testimony which is good, so also is the case with defending one’s assets.’” 

4- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي رَجُلٍ بَاعَ ضَيْعَتَهُ مِنْ رَجُلٍ آخَرَ وَهِيَ قِطَاعُ أَرَضِينَ وَلَمْ يُعَرِّفِ الْحُدُودَ فِي وَقْتِ مَا أَشْهَدَهُ وَقَالَ إِذَا مَا أَتَوْكَ بِالْحُدُودِ فَاشْهَدْ بِهَا هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ أَوْ لا يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ فَوَقَّعَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَعَمْ يَجُوزُ وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ وَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ قِطَاعُ أَرَضِينَ فَحَضَرَهُ الْخُرُوجُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَالْقَرْيَةُ عَلَى مَرَاحِلَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ وَلَمْ يُؤْتِ بِحُدُودِ أَرْضِهِ وَعَرَّفَ حُدُودَ الْقَرْيَةِ الأرْبَعَةَ فَقَالَ لِلشُّهُودِ اشْهَدُوا أَنِّي قَدْ بِعْتُ مِنْ فُلانٍ جَمِيعَ الْقَرْيَةِ الَّتِي حَدٌّ مِنْهَا كَذَا وَالثَّانِي وَالثَّالِثُ وَالرَّابِعُ وَإِنَّمَا لَهُ فِي هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ قِطَاعُ أَرَضِينَ فَهَلْ يَصْلُحُ لِلْمُشْتَرِي ذَلِكَ وَإِنَّمَا لَهُ بَعْضُ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ وَقَدْ أَقَرَّ لَهُ بِكُلِّهَا فَوَقَّعَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لا يَجُوزُ بَيْعُ مَا لَيْسَ يَمْلِكُ وَقَدْ وَجَبَ الشِّرَاءُ عَلَى الْبَائِعِ عَلَى مَا يَمْلِكُ وَكَتَبَ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لِلشَّاهِدِ الَّذِي أَشْهَدَهُ بِجَمِيعِ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ بِحُدُودِ قِطَاعِ الأرْضِ الَّتِي لَهُ فِيهَا إِذَا تَعَرَّفَ حُدُودَ هَذِهِ الْقِطَاعِ بِقَوْمٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ إِذَا كَانُوا عُدُولا فَوَقَّعَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) نَعَمْ يَشْهَدُونَ عَلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ مَفْهُومٍ مَعْرُوفٍ وَكَتَبَ رَجُلٌ قَالَ لِرَجُلٍ اشْهَدْ أَنَّ جَمِيعَ الدَّارِ الَّتِي لَهُ فِي مَوْضِعِ كَذَا وَكَذَا بِحُدُودِهَا كُلِّهَا لِفُلانِ بْنِ فُلانٍ وَجَمِيعَ مَا لَهُ فِي الدَّارِ مِنَ الْمَتَاعِ هَلْ يَصْلُحُ لِلْمُشْتَرِي مَا فِي الدَّارِ مِنَ الْمَتَاعِ أَيُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هُوَ فَوَقَّعَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَصْلُحُ لَهُ مَا أَحَاطَ الشِّرَاءُ بِجَمِيعِ ذَلِكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan who has narrated the following: “I once wrote to abu Muhammad, Alayhi al-Salam, and asked about the case of a man who sells a piece of land to another man. He does not know its limits, and so he does not appoint any witness to the deal, saying that when the limits are defined then witnesses are appointed; if it is permissible to bear witness or not. He (the Imam), Alayhi al-Salam, signed the answer that said, ‘Yes, it is permissible, all praise belongs to Allah.’ A man wanted to leave for Makkah. He had certain pieces of land in a town, which was a certain distance away from his home. He did not define the limits of the land. He only knew the limits of the town, all of its four sides. He said to the witnesses to bear witness that he has sold the whole town of such and such limits of all four sides one, two, three and four, to so and so. In fact, he only owned a piece of land in the town; if buying as such is permissible, when he has confirmed for him the selling of the whole town. He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘It is not permissible to sell what does not belong to him, however, the purchase of what he owns has become binding in favor of the buyer.’ A man wrote to him (the Imam) asking if it is permissible for the witnesses whom he had appointed to bear testimony for the selling of the whole town to testify about the limits of the land that he owns in the town. He may have come to know such limits of such land through the people of the town if they are just people. He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘Yes, it is permissible about something which is known and understood.’ A man wrote saying that a man says to another man to bear witness that the whole of the house that he owns in such and such place with its limits, all of it is for so and so with all that is in the house of assets; if the buyer can have all that is in the house. He (the Imam), Alayhi al-Salam, signed the answer that said, ‘It is permissible for all that the buying has covered, by the will of Allah.’” 

5- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي أَرْبَعَةٍ شَهِدُوا عَلَى رَجُلٍ مُحْصَنٍ بِالزِّنَى فَعُدِّلَ مِنْهُمُ اثْنَانِ وَلَمْ يُعَدَّلِ الآخَرَانِ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانُوا أَرْبَعَةً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ لَيْسَ يُعْرَفُونَ بِشَهَادَةِ الزُّورِ أُجِيزَتْ شَهَادَتُهُمْ جَمِيعاً وَأُقِيمَ الْحَدُّ عَلَى الَّذِي شَهِدُوا عَلَيْهِ إِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ يَشْهَدُوا بِمَا أَبْصَرُوا وَعَلِمُوا وَعَلَى الْوَالِي أَنْ يُجِيزَ شَهَادَتَهُمْ إِلا أَنْ يَكُونُوا مَعْرُوفِينَ بِالْفِسْقِ.

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ayyub from Hariz who has narrated the following: “This is about the case of four men who testified against an al-Muhsin (married man) due to fornication of whom two retracted their testimony and not the other two. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the four are Muslims who are not known as falsely testifying people, the testimony of all four is admissible, and penalty must be applied on the one against whom they have testified, however, they must testify only to what they have seen and have the knowledge thereof. The person in authority must accept their testimony unless they are known to be sinful people.’” 

6- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَيْفٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ صَارَ الزَّوْجُ إِذَا قَذَفَ امْرَأَتَهُ كَانَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللهِ وَكَيْفَ لا يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ لِغَيْرِهِ وَصَارَ إِذَا قَذَفَهَا غَيْرُ الزَّوْجِ جُلِدَ الْحَدَّ وَلَوْ كَانَ وَلَداً أَوْ أَخاً فَقَالَ قَدْ سُئِلَ [أَبُو] جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) عَنْ هَذَا فَقَالَ أَلا تَرَى أَنَّهُ إِذَا قَذَفَ الزَّوْجُ امْرَأَتَهُ قِيلَ لَهُ وَكَيْفَ عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا فَاعِلَةٌ فَإِنْ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهَا بِعَيْنِي كَانَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللهِ وَذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ يَجُوزُ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَدْخُلَ الْمَدْخَلَ فِي الْخَلْوَةِ الَّتِي لا تَصْلُحُ لِغَيْرِهِ أَنْ يَدْخُلَهَا وَلا يَشْهَدُهَا وَلَدٌ وَلا وَالِدٌ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ فَلِذَلِكَ صَارَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللهِ إِذَا قَالَ رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ بِعَيْنِي وَإِذَا قَالَ إِنِّي لَمْ أُعَايِنْ صَارَ قَاذِفاً فِي حَدِّ غَيْرِهِ وَضُرِبَ الْحَدَّ إِلا أَنْ يُقِيمَ عَلَيْهَا الْبَيِّنَةَ وَإِنْ زَعَمَ غَيْرُ الزَّوْجِ إِذَا قَذَفَ وَادَّعَى أَنَّهُ رَآهُ بِعَيْنِهِ قِيلَ لَهُ وَكَيْفَ رَأَيْتَ ذَلِكَ وَمَا أَدْخَلَكَ ذَلِكَ الْمَدْخَلَ الَّذِي رَأَيْتَ فِيهِ هَذَا وَحْدَكَ أَنْتَ مُتَّهَمٌ فِي دَعْوَاكَ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَأَنْتَ فِي حَدِّ التُّهَمَةِ فَلا بُدَّ مِنْ أَدَبِكَ بِالْحَدِّ الَّذِي أَوْجَبَهُ اللهُ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ وَإِنَّمَا صَارَتْ شَهَادَةُ الزَّوْجِ أَرْبَعَ شَهَادَاتٍ بِاللهِ لِمَكَانِ الأرْبَعَةِ شُهَدَاءَ مَكَانَ كُلِّ شَاهِدٍ يَمِينٌ. عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ عَنْ بَعْضِ الْقُمِّيِّينَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مِثْلَهُ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Husayn ibn Sayf from Muhammad ibn Sulayman who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘How is it that when a man accuses his wife of committing fornication his testimony is four testimonies by Allah? Why is it not permissible for those other than him, if someone other than husband accuses her, he is subjected to penalty even if he is a son or brother?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), was asked about it and he (the Imam) replied that suppose if a man accuses his wife he can be asked about how he has learned that his wife has behaved as such, his eyes have seen her doing it then his testimony is four testimonies by Allah. It is because of the possibility for a man to go in privacy where others cannot do so. A son or father cannot see as such in the night or day. For this reason, his testimony has become four testimonies by Allah if he says, “I have seen it with my eyes.” If he says, “I have not seen with my eyes” he is an accuser like other people and he is subjected to penalty unless he establishes testimony. If people other than the husband thinks, accuses and claims seeing it with his eyes he is then asked, “How did you see and who made it possible for you to be in such place where you alone saw it? You stand accused about your claim even if you speak truth, you are in the position of one being accused; and it is necessary to discipline you by penalty which Allah has made obligatory upon you.”’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The testimony of a husband has become four testimonies by Allah, in place of every witness one oath.’” A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn Aslam from certain ones of the people of Qum from abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), a similar Hadith. 

7- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ عَنْ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَيْفَ صَارَ الْقَتْلُ يَجُوزُ فِيهِ شَاهِدَانِ وَالزِّنَى لا يَجُوزُ فِيهِ إِلا أَرْبَعَةُ شُهُودٍ وَالْقَتْلُ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الزِّنَى فَقَالَ لأنَّ الْقَتْلَ فِعْلٌ وَاحِدٌ وَالزِّنَى فِعْلانِ فَمِنْ ثَمَّ لا يَجُوزُ إِلا أَرْبَعَةُ شُهُودٍ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ شَاهِدَانِ وَعَلَى الْمَرْأَةِ شَاهِدَانِ وَرَوَاهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي مَا عِنْدَكُمْ يَا أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا عِنْدَنَا فِيهِ إِلا حَدِيثُ عُمَرَ أَنَّ اللهَ أَخَذَ فِي الشَّهَادَةِ كَلِمَتَيْنِ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي لَيْسَ كَذَلِكَ يَا أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ وَلَكِنَّ الزِّنَى فِيهِ حَدَّانِ وَلا يَجُوزُ إِلا أَنْ يَشْهَدَ كُلُّ اثْنَيْنِ عَلَى وَاحِدٍ لأنَّ الرَّجُلَ وَالْمَرْأَةَ جَمِيعاً عَلَيْهِمَا الْحَدُّ وَالْقَتْلُ إِنَّمَا يُقَامُ عَلَى الْقَاتِلِ وَيُدْفَعُ عَنِ الْمَقْتُولِ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from ’Isma‘il ibn abu Hanifah from abu Hanifah who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Why in a murder case only two witnesses are required, and in the case of fornication four witnesses are required when murder is more serious than fornication?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because murder is one act and fornication is two acts, for this reason less than four witnesses is not admissible; two against man and two against the woman.’” Certain one of our people have narrated from him (abu Hanifah) that then he (the Imam) asked, ‘What is with you, O abu Hanifah?’ I replied, ‘We have nothing about it except the Hadith of ‘Umar that says, ‘Allah has taken two words in the testimony against the people.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘It is not as such, O abu Hanifah, in fornication there are two penalties. It is not permissible for less than two to testify against one, two against the man and two against the woman; penalty is obligatory on both man and woman, when in murder it is applied to the killer only and the one murdered is defended.’” 

8- الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ السَّيَّارِيِّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ لَزِمَتْهُ شَهَادَةٌ فَشَهِدَ بِهَا عِنْدَ أَبِي يُوسُفَ الْقَاضِي فَقَالَ أَبُو يُوسُفَ مَا عَسَيْتُ أَنْ أَقُولَ فِيكَ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَأَنْتَ جَارِي مَا عَلِمْتُكَ إِلا صَدُوقاً طَوِيلَ اللَّيْلِ وَلَكِنْ تِلْكَ الْخَصْلَةُ قَالَ وَمَا هِيَ قَالَ مَيْلُكَ إِلَى التَّرَفُّضِ فَبَكَى ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ حَتَّى سَالَتْ دُمُوعُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا يُوسُفَ تَنْسِبُنِي إِلَى قَوْمٍ أَخَافُ أَنْ لا أَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ فَأَجَازَ شَهَادَتَهُ.

8. AI-Husayn from Muhammad has narrated from af-Sayyariy from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from those who narrated to him from ibn abu Ya’fur who has narrated the following: “I had to testify in a case before abu Yusuf, the judge, who said, ‘O ibn abu Ya’fur I still say about you, when you are my neighbor, that I know you only as a truthful person of long nights (for worshipping Allah) except “that thing”.’ He then asked, ‘What is “that thing”?’ He (the judge) said, ‘It is your tendency to the al-Rafidah (rejectionists).’ Ibn abu Ya’fur then wept until his tears flowed down and said, ‘O abu Yusuf, you are ascribing me to a community of people. I am afraid of not being of them.’ The judge then admitted his testimony.” 

9- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ شَمُّونٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ مِسْمَعِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) كَانَ يَحْكُمُ فِي زِنْدِيقٍ إِذَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلانِ عَدْلانِ مَرْضِيَّانِ وَشَهِدَ لَهُ أَلْفٌ بِالْبَرَاءَةِ يُجِيزُ شَهَادَةَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ وَيُبْطِلُ شَهَادَةَ الألْفِ لأنَّهُ دِينٌ مَكْتُومٌ.

9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan Shammun from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Abd al- Rahman from Misma‘ ibn ‘ Abd al-Malik who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, Alayhi al-Salam, in the case of an atheist would issue a judgment. If two just and acceptable people testified against him and one thousand in his favor, he (the Imam) would accept the testimony of two people. He (the Imam) would reject the testimony of one thousand because it is a hidden religion.” (It is considered applicable when the testimonies are presented in different times.) 

10- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ أُتِيَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِامْرَأَةٍ بِكْرٍ زَعَمُوا أَنَّهَا زَنَتْ فَأَمَرَ النِّسَاءَ فَنَظَرْنَ إِلَيْهَا فَقُلْنَ هِيَ عَذْرَاءُ فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ لأضْرِبَ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا خَاتَمٌ مِنَ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكَانَ يُجِيزُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) شَهَادَةَ النِّسَاءِ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, Alayhi al-Salam, issued a judgment. It was in the case of a virgin woman who was accused of fornication. He (the Imam) commanded certain women to examine her. They reported about her to be a virgin. He (the Imam) issued a judgment that said, ‘I am not to penalize one on whom Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has placed a seal. 5 He (the Imam) accepted the testimony of women in such cases.” 

11- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَبِي الْبِلادِ عَنْ سَعْدٍ الإسْكَافِ قَالَ لا أَعْلَمُهُ إِلا قَالَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَدْ كَانَ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَابِدٌ فَأُعْجِبَ لَهُ دَاوُدُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَأَوْحَى اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَيْهِ لا يُعْجِبْكَ شَيْ‏ءٌ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ فَإِنَّهُ مُرَاءٍ قَالَ فَمَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَأُتِيَ دَاوُدُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَقِيلَ لَهُ مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَقَالَ دَاوُدُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) ادْفِنُوا صَاحِبَكُمْ قَالَ فَأَنْكَرَتْ بَنُو إِسْرَائِيلَ وَقَالُوا كَيْفَ لَمْ يَحْضُرْهُ قَالَ فَلَمَّا غُسِّلَ قَامَ خَمْسُونَ رَجُلا فَشَهِدُوا بِاللهِ مَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِنْهُ إِلا خَيْراً قَالَ فَلَمَّا صَلَّوْا عَلَيْهِ قَامَ خَمْسُونَ آخَرُونَ فَشَهِدُوا بِاللهِ مَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِلا خَيْراً فَلَمَّا دَفَنُوهُ قَامَ خَمْسُونَ فَشَهِدُوا بِاللهِ مَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِنْهُ إِلا خَيْراً فَأَوْحَى اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَى دَاوُدَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تَشْهَدَ فُلاناً فَقَالَ دَاوُدُ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا رَبِّ لِلَّذِي أَطْلَعْتَنِي عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ قَالَ فَأَوْحَى اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَذَلِكَ وَلَكِنَّهُ قَدْ شَهِدَ قَوْمٌ مِنَ الأحْبَارِ وَالرُّهْبَانِ مَا يَعْلَمُونَ مِنْهُ إِلا خَيْراً فَأَجَزْتُ شَهَادَتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَغَفَرْتُ لَهُ عِلْمِي فِيهِ. هَذَا آخِرُ كِتَابِ الشَّهَادَاتِ مِنَ الْكَافِي تَأْلِيفِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ الْكُلَيْنِيِّ رَحِمَهُ اللهُ وَيَتْلُوهُ كِتَابُ الْقَضَاءِ وَالأحْكَامِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ تَعَالَى. 

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Ibrahim ibn abu al-Balad from Sa‘d al-Iskaf who has said that I know the following to be from abu Ja‘far (a.s.), only: “Abu Ja’far, Alayhi al-Salam, has said that among the Israelites there was a worshipper. Dawud Alayhi al-Salam, liked him for his worship. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent revelation to him and informed him that the worshipper is only a showoff person. The man died and Dawud Alayhi al-Salam, was informed about his death. He told them to bury him. The Israelites disliked it and said, ‘Why did you not attend his funeral?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When Ghusl (bath) was complete fifty people testified by Allah that they did not know of him except good.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When they performed Salat (prayer) for him then fifty people stood up and testified that they did not know anything about him except good.’ Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then sent revelation to Dawud, Alayhi al-Salam. It said, ‘What has stopped you from attending the funeral of so and so?’ He replied, ‘It is because of the information You gave me about him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, sent him revelation saying that it was true but a people of learned men and monks testified that they did not know about him anything except good, so I admitted their testimony about him and forgave (overlooked, covered) My knowledge about him.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 7

Book 5, Chapter 23