Is a person who confirms an accusation of slander also considered a slanderer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Ḥudūd (Prescribed Penalties)
Primary text
The confirmer of slander is considered a slanderer based on one established opinion because the confirmation refers to the content of the original statement. This is proven by analogy: if someone says, 'You owe me a thousand,' and another replies, 'You spoke the truth,' it constitutes an admission of the debt. Similarly, if one says, 'Give me this garment of yours,' and another replies, 'You spoke the truth,' it is an admission. The primary evidence supports this interpretation through the principle that confirmation binds one to the substance of the initial statement.
Supporting text
There is an alternative view, held by Zufar, stating that the confirmer is not considered a slanderer because the confirmation might pertain to something other than the act of slander itself.