FatwaFederal TerritoriesLegal Theory & Methodology
IRSYAD USUL AL-FIQH SIRI KE- 46 : KUPASAN KAEDAH ‘BUKTI KE ATAS MEREKA YANG MENDAKWA, SUMPAH KE ATAS MEREKA YANG MENGINGKARI’
What is the meaning of the maxim that the burden of proof is on the claimant and the oath is on the one who denies?
Short answer
This maxim is based on a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas, under which the claimant must produce evidence while the accused denies the claim by taking an oath.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad Usul al-Fiqh
- Topic
- Legal Theory & Methodology
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
This maxim is based on a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas, under which the claimant must produce evidence while the accused denies the claim by taking an oath. A judge may not pass judgment on a claim alone without evidence. It accords with the principle that a person is originally free of any liability, and Ibn al-Munzir reports a scholarly consensus on it. An oath is required of the accused when he denies the claim, the claimant has no evidence, and the opposing party demands that he swear.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Sekiranya seseorang itu mendakwa bahawa si fulan telah berhutang kepadanya beberapa jumlah dari harta, maka Qadhi (Hakim) menuntut dirinya untuk mendatangkan saksi atas dakwaannya tersebut lalu dia tidak mampu mendatangkannya.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD USUL AL-FIQH SIRI KE- 46 : KUPASAN KAEDAH ‘BUKTI KE ATAS MEREKA YANG MENDAKWA, SUMPAH KE ATAS MEREKA YANG MENGINGKARI’”, 10 February 2020. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-usul-fiqh/4155-irsyad-usul-al-fiqh-siri-ke-46-kupasan-kaedah-bukti-ke-atas-mereka-yang-mendakwa-sumpah-ke-atas-mereka-yang-mengingkari. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/burden-of-proof-on-claimant-oath-on-denier/