What is the prescribed formula and sequence for the husband's declaration during Li'an?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)
Primary text
The Imam begins with the husband, standing him up, and instructs him to say four times: 'I testify by Allah that I am among the truthful in what I have accused this wife of mine with, regarding adultery.' If the wife is present, he points to her; if absent, he names and identifies her lineage specifically, extending the lineage description to negate shared identity with others. After four testimonies, the judge stops him, advises him to fear Allah, stating that the fifth statement is the one that incurs consequence, and that worldly punishment is lighter than the punishment of the Hereafter and the curse of Allah. A man is instructed to cover the speaker's mouth to prevent him from uttering the fifth statement prematurely. Upon releasing his hand, if the husband persists, he is told to say: 'And the curse of Allah be upon me if I am among the liars regarding what I have accused this wife of mine with, regarding adultery.'
Supporting text
According to Ishaq ibn Mansur's report from Ahmad, the husband says the testimony four times, stops at the fifth, and says: 'May the curse of Allah be upon him if he is among the liars.' The wife follows a similar procedure, stopping at the fifth statement where she is warned of the consequences, and if she proceeds, she says: 'May the wrath of Allah be upon her if her husband is among the truthful.'