Is stating 'I will admit' or 'I do not deny' a valid admission?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
Saying, 'I admit' (Ana uqirru) following a claim of debt does not constitute an admission because it is merely a promise to admit in the future. Saying, 'I do not deny' is not an admission because the absence of denial does not necessitate admission, as silence is another possible state between the two parties. Likewise, 'I do not deny that you are truthful' is not an admission for the same reason. If one says, 'I am admitting,' without further qualification, it may be an admission because it follows the claim, causing it to relate back to the claim. Evidence for this can be drawn from {Did you agree, and did you take upon yourselves My covenant? They said, 'We agreed'} (Quran 3:81), where they simply stated 'We agreed' without qualification.
Supporting text
There is a view that saying 'I am admitting' is not an admission because it can imply something else, such as admitting to bearing witness or admitting the falsity of the claim. Saying 'Perhaps' (la'alla) or 'Hopefully' (asa) does not constitute an admission because these words denote hope or expectation. Similarly, 'I think,' 'I reckon,' or 'I estimate' are not admissions as these words are used for doubt.