Is the testimony of two just male heirs regarding the lineage of another heir who shares in the inheritance acceptable?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
The lineage of an heir is established if two just male heirs testify to it, provided they are not suspected of bias. Similarly, their testimony regarding the deceased's prior admission of that lineage is accepted. The evidence supporting the acceptance of testimony from non-interested parties is found in the general principles governing testimony, although specific scriptural evidence is not detailed for this case beyond the general criteria of justice ('adl).
Supporting text
If the two testifying heirs are suspected of bias—such as full siblings testifying to a uterine sibling when the estate involves a spouse and two full sisters (as this potential lineage would eliminate 'awl (reduction due to excessive heirs) and increase their share to one-third)—their testimony is rejected. Likewise, if they testify to a paternal brother when the estate includes a mother, a full sister, and a paternal sister, their testimony is rejected because establishing the paternal brother's lineage would eliminate the paternal sister's share, thus removing 'awl from the distribution.