Is it permissible for a judge to rule on a distant absentee?

Primary text

It is permissible to rule on a distant absentee if they refuse to attend or conceal themselves, as their absence and inability to be questioned makes judicial action necessary. This position is supported by the apparent meaning of Ahmad's words and is also the view of Al-Shafi'i. The justification is that their attendance and questioning have become impossible, thus permitting a ruling similar to that for a distant absentee, even more so since the distant absentee has an excuse while this one does not.