Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (15/310)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

entails testimony, for the judge is, in effect, saying: “I bear witness that So-and-so has a right against So-and-so.” Thus, if he rules in favor of his father, mother, wife, or anyone else whose testimony in their favor would not be accepted, this is like testifying in their favor; consequently, his judgment is not enforceable.

Is his judgment enforceable against himself?

The answer is: yes, due to Allah’s saying: “O you who believe, stand firmly for justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves.” [al-Nisa’ 4:135]

Is his judgment enforceable against one in whose favor his testimony would not be accepted?

The answer is: yes. Just as his testimony against them is accepted, so too is his judgment against them.

His statement, “If someone brings a claim against a woman who does not ordinarily appear in public, she need not appear”: This means that if someone brings a claim against a woman who does not appear before men in public. Some women remain secluded and do not appear before men, whereas others do appear before men and speak with people. Thus, if a claim is brought against a woman who ordinarily appears in public, she is summoned like a man. But if a claim is brought against one who does not ordinarily appear in public, she is not summoned, because this would be burdensome for her and because, due to shyness and embarrassment, she may be unable to articulate the evidence or argument she has.

His statement, “Rather, she is instructed to appoint a representative”: This means that the judge sends word to her—or, in our time, speaks to her by telephone—telling her to appoint someone to litigate on her behalf.

The author, may Allah have mercy on him, has thereby informed us that appointing a representative in litigation is permissible. This has previously been discussed in the chapter on agency.

May she choose a man more eloquent in argument than her opponent?

The answer is: yes, because she wishes to defend herself against the claim made against her, or establish the claim she has made for herself. Therefore, she may choose a man more eloquent in argument than

يتضمن الشهادة؛ لأن الحاكم كأنه يقول: أشهد أن الحق لفلان على فلان، فإذا حكم لأبيه، أو أمه، أو زوجته، أو غيرهم ممن لا تقبل شهادته لهم، فإن هذا كالشهادة لهم، فلا ينفذ حكمه، وهل ينفذ حكمه على نفسه؟ الجواب: نعم؛ لقوله تعالى: ﴿يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ﴾ [النساء: ١٣٥]. وهل ينفذ حكمه على من لا تقبل شهادته له؟ الجواب: نعم، كما تقبل شهادته عليهم، فيقبل حكمه عليهم. قوله: «ومن ادعى على غير برزة لم تحضر» يعني من ادعى على امرأة غير برزة، وهي التي لا تبرز للرجال، والنساء بعضهن صاحبة خباء، لا تبرز للرجال، وبعضهن تبرز للرجال، وتتكلم مع الناس، فمن ادعى على برزة فإنها تُحضر كالرجل، ومن ادعي على غير برزة فإنها لا تحضر؛ لأن ذلك يشق عليها، ولأنها ربما مع الحياء والخجل لا تستطيع أن تعبر عما في نفسها من الحجة. قوله: «وأُمرت بالتوكيل» يعني أن القاضي يرسل لها، وفي عصرنا يكلمها بالهاتف أن توكل شخصاً يخاصم عنها. وأفادنا المؤلف ﵀ أنه يجوز التوكيل في الخصومة، وقد سبق ذلك في باب الوكالة. وهل لها أن تختار رجلاً ألحن من خصمها؟ الجواب: نعم؛ لأنها تريد أن تدافع عن نفسها ما ادعى عليها، أو تثبت لنفسها ما ادعته، فلها أن تختار رجلاً ألحن من