And some scholars, such as al-Shāfiʿī, accept the acknowledgment, on the basis of thinking well of a Muslim and presuming that, at the point of death, he would neither lie nor act unjustly.

Those who know the truth of this case and similar cases must cooperate in righteousness and piety, not in sin and aggression. A case like this should be investigated. If evidence contrary to this acknowledgment is found, it should be acted upon; if evidence of its falsity emerges, the acknowledgment should be invalidated. Indications of truthfulness include knowing that the father of these four possessed wealth comparable to the amount acknowledged. Indications of falsehood include evidence showing that she intends to deprive her son and husband of their inheritance. If evidence supporting either side emerges, that side should be given greater weight. And Allah knows best.

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

A man died, leaving two sons and a daughter. The two sons compensated the woman for her share of her father’s estate, and she gave her brothers a legally valid discharge, before upright witnesses, concerning what remained in their possession. This occurred more than sixty years ago. She continued to reside in the same district as them and made no claim against them throughout that time.

When her brothers died and she ascertained that the witnesses had also died, she denied what had been attested against her. She brought a claim against her brothers’ heir, asserting that her share of her father’s estate had remained in her brothers’ possession. The judge upheld her claim, but evidence of her discharge was then duly established against her. Does this overturn what the judge established in her favor?

He replied:

All praise is due to Allah. If legally valid evidence establishes her acknowledgment