Based on God’s word in Quran it is permissible for Muslims to request a non-Muslim to be a witness for him. And it is also permissible to witness for a non-Muslim at the court provided that the truth has been testified

Seeking a non-Muslim Witness and Testifying for a non-Muslim

 

Similar Questions

 

• A non-Muslim as a witness;
• Acting as a witness for a non-Muslim.

 

The Issue

 

A Muslim living in a non-Muslim country may need to ask a non-Muslim to testify for him in court, or the reverse case may arise of a Muslim testifying for a non-Muslim.

 

Ruling

 

In a case being considered by a court of law it is permissible for a Muslim to request a non-Muslim to be a witness for him and it is permissible for him to be a witness for a non-Muslim, provided that he testifies to the truth.

 

Evidence

 

The permissibility of testimony by a Muslim in favour of a non-Muslim, stating the truth, is agreed by all. The texts that speak of giving testimony are general and not restricted to testifying for Muslims.

Praising witnesses,

Permission to ask a non-Muslim to be a witness is given in the verse speaking about making a will.

Since Muslims living in non-Muslim countries may need to call in witnesses who are not Muslims, this is permissible.

 

Ibn Taymiyyah said: ‘Testimony by non-Muslims against Muslims is unacceptable. This is not subject to disagreement. What is subject to disagreement is the acceptability of non-Muslims testifying against each other.’[1]

 

Sources

 

• Fatawa and essays by Shaikh Abd al-Razzaq Afeefi.
• Mut’ib al-Qahtani (ed.), Is'af al-Mughtaribin bi Fatawa al-'Ulama’ al-Rabbaniyyin.
• Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmu' al-Fatawa.