and the rubbish that had been upon it. This is why it came to be venerated; otherwise, there is absolutely no basis for venerating it. Accordingly, solemnifying the oath in Jerusalem is done, as in other mosques, by the pulpit.

Solemnifying it in its wording means saying, for example: “By Allah, besides whom there is no god, the Knower of the unseen and the visible, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, the Overpowering, the Pursuing,” and similar expressions containing deterrence and warning.

Solemnifying it in manner means that the person should stand rather than sit. Thus, an oath is made more solemn in matters of serious consequence. The correct view is that solemnification is left to the judge’s discretion. If the judge wishes to make the oath more solemn for the one swearing, but the defendant refuses to take the solemnified oath, should judgment be issued against him on account of his refusal?

According to the established position of the school, judgment is not issued against him on account of refusal. They said: if he refuses the solemnification, he is not deemed to have refused the oath. The second view is that he is deemed to have refused, because his refusal of solemnification indicates that there is cause for suspicion. His refusal is therefore evidence that he is lying in his denial. This view is stronger.