Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Sha’bi (may Allah have mercy on him) that the people of the tribe of Azd had an animal. Another group claimed ownership of it and presented witnesses that it was their animal, which had gone missing during the era of Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz. Those who had possession of the animal also presented witnesses that the animal was born among them. The matter was brought before their judge, Abdur Rahman bin Azniyah. One party would come in the morning and present witnesses, then the other party would come in the evening and present even more witnesses. The judge wrote to Hazrat Shurayh (may Allah have mercy on him) about the situation. Hazrat Shurayh (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote back that the abundance of witnesses is not to be considered; those who have presented witnesses that the animal was born among them and who have possession of the animal have a greater right to it.