The required number of branch witnesses for establishing adultery (Zina) through tiered testimony.
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Testimonies
Primary text
Five opinions exist regarding the number of branch witnesses required to establish the crime of Zina through this tiered system. The first opinion states that branch testimony is inadmissible for establishing Zina.
Supporting text
The other four opinions are: the second mandates sixteen branch witnesses, with four testifying for each origin witness; the third states eight are sufficient; the fourth suggests four witnesses, each testifying concerning one origin witness; and the fifth suggests two witnesses, each testifying concerning one origin witness, which is considered a weak position as it establishes the limit of Zina based on only two witnesses.