In which matters, besides lineage and birth, is testimony based on widespread knowledge permissible?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
The companions of our school (Ashabuna) enumerate nine such matters: marriage (Nikah), absolute ownership (Milk Mutlaq), endowment (Waqf) and its management, death, emancipation (Itq), loyalty/clientage (Walaa'), guardianship (Wilayah), and removal from office (Azl). Abu Sa'id al-Istakhri and some Shafi'i scholars support this enumeration. The rationale is that direct observation or observation of the causes for these matters is generally impossible, thus permitting testimony based on widespread knowledge, similar to lineage.
Supporting text
Some scholars restrict its permissibility, stating it is not allowed for endowment, loyalty, emancipation, and marriage because testimony regarding these can be established definitively as they pertain to a contract, thus resembling other contracts. Abu Hanifa limits acceptance only to marriage and death, rejecting absolute ownership because it concerns property, resembling debt. The companions of Abu Hanifa accept it for Walaa'.