for Allah, exalted be He, says: “Be steadfastly upright in justice, witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves” (Q 4:135); and He also says: “Let the one on whom the duty rests dictate, and let him fear Allah, his Lord, and omit nothing of it. But if the one on whom the duty rests is feeble-minded, weak, or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate with justice” (Q 2:282).

Al-Muwaffaq states in al-Kāfī: “Imlāl (dictation) here means confession, and judgment based on a confession is obligatory, for the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Go early tomorrow, O Unays, to this man’s wife; if she confesses, then stone her.’ The Prophet ﷺ likewise stoned Maʿiz and the Ghamidite woman on the strength of their confession. Moreover, if judgment is binding when supported by testimony, it is even more so when based on confession, which is further removed from suspicion.”

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

This work has been abridged. We ask Allah to pardon whatever mistakes or omissions it contains, to benefit us and our esteemed readers through whatever is correct, and to grant everyone beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.