What are the conditions for establishing lineage through acknowledgment concerning oneself and others?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
When acknowledging a lineage involving oneself and others, such as acknowledging a brother, the four preceding conditions are considered, along with a fifth condition: the acknowledging person must be all the heirs. If only a spouse acknowledges the relationship without other heirs present, the lineage is not established by their acknowledgment alone because the acknowledger does not inherit the entirety of the estate. However, if the Imam (ruler) confirms the acknowledgment alongside the spouse, the lineage is established because the Imam acts in place of the Muslims, sharing in the inheritance and taking the remainder.
Supporting text
If the sole heir is a daughter, sister, mother, or anyone entitled to the entire estate through fixed shares and *radd* (return), the lineage is established by their acknowledgment alone, similar to the case of a son, because they inherit the entire estate. Al-Shafi'i holds that the lineage is not established by their word alone because he does not recognize *radd*, assigning the remainder to the state treasury (Bayt al-Mal). There are two differing views regarding when the Imam agrees with the acknowledgment in this context.