What is the acceptable duration for delaying the denial of paternity?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)
Primary text
The acceptable delay for denial is not fixed at three days but is contingent upon established custom and immediate necessity, as articulated by Abu Bakr. If the denial is postponed after attending to immediate necessities like hunger, thirst, sleep, prayer, or securing property, the right to deny is forfeited.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa sets the limit at one or two days as a matter of juristic preference due to the difficulty of immediate denial. Abu Yusuf and Muhammad restrict the delay to the period of post-natal bleeding (*nifas*).