What are the essential conditions for a valid witness?

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Four conditions are required of a witness: Islam, maturity (*bulugh*), sanity (*'aql*), and justice (*'adalah*). Among these, only justice requires external inquiry, based on the command {miman tardawna min al-shuhada'} [Al-Baqarah: 282]. The judge must document the full identity of the witnesses, including their lineage, professions, residences, and physical characteristics (such as skin color, height, and features), to ensure differentiation. Furthermore, the document must state the relationship between the witness and the claimant (to check for relationship disqualifying testimony or partnership) and the witness and the defendant (to check for enmity). The extent of the right claimed must also be documented, as some scholars differentiate acceptance based on the amount involved.