4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Nasr from Aban from abu Basir who has narrated the following:

“I once asked abu Ja‘far , 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 said to al-Hakam ibn ‘Utaybah, ‘. . . it is a reminder for you and your people.’ ( 43 : 44 )”