Al-Kāfi, vol. 7, no. 12

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his people in a marfu‘ manner has said the following: “Tamim al-Dariy, ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya once left for a journey. Tamim al-Dariy was a Muslim but ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya were Christians and they were with Tamim al-Dariy who had certain assets and utensils, which were decorated with gold, and a necklace that he took for the Arab markets for sale. Tamim al-Dariy became ill severely and the time of his death came. He gave whatever he had to ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya and asked them to deliver it to his heirs. The two came to al-Madinah, delivered the other things but they had taken the utensils and the necklace. The heirs found the utensils missing; so the family of Tamim asked the two men, ’Did he (Tamim) remain ill for a long time and incurred a large amount of expenses?’ The two replied, ‘He remained ill only for few days.’ They then asked, ’Was anything stolen from him during his journey?’ The two replied, ‘No, nothing was stolen from him during his journey.’ They then asked, ‘Did he make any business deals that caused him losses?’ The two replied, ‘No, he did not make any such deals.’ They then said, ‘The most expensive things are missing like the utensils decorated with gold and gems and a necklace.’ The two said, ‘Whatever he gave to us we have given to you.’ They then took the two before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he (the Messenger of Allah) judged that the two must take an oath. The two took an oath and they were released but the utensils and necklace were seen with them. The heirs of Tamim went to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our assets have been seen in the possession of ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya.’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, waited to hear from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, a judgment in the case. Allah, most Blessed, most High, then revealed, ‘Believers, when death approaches any one of you, allow two just men from your own people (Muslims) or any two other men (people of the book), if incident of death befalls you on a journey, bear witness to the bequest. [Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, applied the testimony of the people of the book about the will when it is on a journey and Muslims are not found] If you have any doubts about their (others’) honesty, detain them and allow them take an oath after the prayer, each one of them saying, “I swear by Allah that my testimony is true. I am not selling the Truth for a paltry price even though the beneficiary would be one of my relatives. I do not hide the testimony which is the right of Allah, for then I will be one of the sinners.” (5:106)’ This is the testimony, which is sanctioned by the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. Tf their honesty is challenged, [they took false oath], two others from the relatives of the deceased should swear in the same way and testify to the bequest saying, “We swear by Allah that our testimony is the more accurate one. We do not transgress in the matter lest we become unjust ones.” (5:107)’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, commanded the heirs of Tamim al-Dariy to take an oath according to His command. They took an oath and the Messenger of Allah took the utensils and the necklace from ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya and returned them to the heirs of Tamim al-Dariy. This is the least in presenting the testimony as it is for fear of another oath’s rejection of their oath thereafter.”