What is the fourth condition for negating paternity via *Li'an*?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)
Primary text
The fourth condition is that the husband must explicitly mention the negation of the child within the *Li'an*. If he omits this, the child is not negated unless he repeats the *Li'an* and includes the negation. This is the apparent view of Al-Khiraqi and the chosen position of Al-Qadi, aligning with Al-Shafi'i's school.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr asserts that explicitly mentioning and negating the child is unnecessary; negation occurs simply upon the dissolution of the marital bed. He cites the Hadith of Sahl ibn Sa'd, which describes the *Li'an* without mentioning the child, stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) separated them and ruled that the child should not be attributed to a father nor should the mother be accused of adultery. Another narration states the Prophet (peace be upon him) separated them and attributed the child to the mother.