Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulām Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri
What is the ruling regarding a person who knowingly refrains from giving testimony?
If a person is aware of a matter and is asked to testify, it becomes obligatory (wājib) for him to provide testimony.
➤ Unjustifiably withholding testimony is sinful.
وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ ۚ وَمَنْ يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُ آثِمٌ قَلْبُهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
[Sūrah al-Baqarah: 283]
Translation:
“Do not conceal testimony. Whoever conceals it—his heart is indeed sinful. And Allah is All-Knowing of what you do.”
➤ Providing testimony upon request is a religious obligation if the person possesses knowledge of the matter.
➤ Concealing it without valid reason is a major sin, and the Qur’ān declares such a person’s heart as sinful.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding a person who knowingly refrains from giving testimony?
✿ Answer:
If a person is aware of a matter and is asked to testify, it becomes obligatory (wājib) for him to provide testimony.
➤ Unjustifiably withholding testimony is sinful.
✦ Qur’anic Evidence:
وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ ۚ وَمَنْ يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُ آثِمٌ قَلْبُهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
[Sūrah al-Baqarah: 283]Translation:
“Do not conceal testimony. Whoever conceals it—his heart is indeed sinful. And Allah is All-Knowing of what you do.”
Summary:
➤ Providing testimony upon request is a religious obligation if the person possesses knowledge of the matter.
➤ Concealing it without valid reason is a major sin, and the Qur’ān declares such a person’s heart as sinful.
