When does the rejection of testimony for slander take effect: upon the accusation or upon the administration of the *Hadd* punishment?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
The rejection of testimony must be established upon the act of slander itself when verification is impossible, similar to the obligation of the Hadd punishment. The slander is the sin deserving punishment, and it establishes the sin warranting rejection of testimony. The lashing (*Hadd*) is considered expiation and purification; therefore, rejection of testimony cannot be suspended upon it. Both the lashing and the rejection of testimony are rulings related to slander, and thus both are established by the initial act of slander. The non-execution of one does not prevent the establishment of the other.
Supporting text
The opposing view that rejection only takes effect upon the lashing is invalid, because the lashing is a consequence of the slander for which proof was unattainable, and it cannot be executed before the cause is established. It is logically impossible for a Hadd punishment to be executed before its cause is established, and then for the cause to become established retroactively.