What is the validity of testimony regarding *qadhf* against the defendant's wife if the witnesses previously accused him of slandering them, and later claim that slander occurred?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Mutual Imprecation (Li'an)
Primary text
If two witnesses testify that the defendant slandered his wife, and subsequently claim that he slandered them, their initial testimony concerning the wife is invalidated if they attribute their claim of slander against them to a time prior to their testimony against the wife. This invalidation occurs due to their admission that they were enemies to him when they gave their testimony against him.
Supporting text
If they do not attribute that claim (of slander against them) to the time preceding the judgment based on their testimony regarding the wife, the testimony regarding the wife is not judged upon, because judgment cannot be passed based on the testimony of two enemies. However, if the enmity claim arises after the judgment is passed, the original testimony is not invalidated, as the judgment was finalized before the impediment (enmity) arose, similar to the emergence of open wickedness.