He was asked—may Allah sanctify his soul—about a soldier who held a grant of revenue from a locality. He reported that a man had been killed there, and the people said that the killer was a Christian peasant from the area covered by the grant. He sought to bring the killer before the authorities, but the man could not be found. They arrested the accused Christian’s brother, who is in prison. Despite this, they are demanding that the soldier produce the Christian, although he had not stood surety for him.

He replied:

If the soldier knows nothing of the accused man’s situation and has not stood surety for him, he may not be required to produce him. However, if the accused is rightfully wanted and the soldier knows his whereabouts, he must disclose them. If he says that he does not know his whereabouts, his word is to be accepted.

He was asked—may Allah Most High have mercy on him—about a man who came upon seven people, and a dispute arose between them. All seven proceeded to beat him in the presence of two men who were related to neither side. These two witnessed the beating until he died from it. What liability falls upon the seven who took part in killing him?