What are the requirements for a ruler to rule based on testimony and admission in court?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Judiciary
Primary text
The ruler may rule based on clear evidence (Bayyinah) and admission (Iqrar) if they hear it in their court session accompanied by two witnesses. Ahmad explicitly states that the ruler may rule based on this even if only one witness is present or none are present during the admission/testimony. The basis for accepting such rulings rests on the premise that the ruler is acting based on knowledge gained in session.
Supporting text
Al-Qadi asserts that the ruler cannot rule based on an admission unless two witnesses are present during the hearing, as otherwise, the ruler is ruling based on his own private knowledge.