The supremacy of evidence over testimony (criticism of the jurisprudential theory of the complementary function of documents in proving a lawsuit and the superiority of testimony over evidence)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty Member of the Judiciary Research Institute, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author)

2 Faculty Member of the Department of Law and Social Jurisprudence, Research Institute of Hawza and University, Qom, Iran.

Abstract

Despite the existence of explicit Quranic evidence confirming the validity of documents-such as verse 282 of Surah Al-Baqarah-and the acknowledgment by some jurists of the credibility of documents, with some even prioritizing them over other means of proving a claim, the lack of independent probative value of documents in proving lawsuits has become a widely accepted theory in Imami jurisprudence. This jurisprudential theory, which supports this approach, denies the independent function of documents in proving claims, viewing them merely as complementary to other evidentiary means, and rejects their ability to serve as the sole and independent proof in legal disputes.
In this study, the aforementioned jurisprudential theory is referred to as the "Complementary Function Theory of Documents in Proving Lawsuits." A historical and analytical examination of juristic perspectives reveals that the assumptions and ingrained mental frameworks of jurists-shaped by the historical and geographical circumstances in which they lived, particularly the absence of a strong central government to regulate transactional relationships-played a significant role in the emergence of this theory. Naturally, in an era where a powerful state can effectively regulate such relationships, these assumptions should no longer influence jurisprudential interpretation and legal reasoning.
This article seeks to answer the question: What underlying assumptions have shaped the mindset of jurists to the extent that, despite strong Quranic evidence, the notion of denying the independent validity of documents has gained prominence? By explaining, analyzing, and evaluating the arguments supporting this theory, the study critically examines the role of these assumptions in shaping this jurisprudential perspective.

Keywords

References

  • The Holy Quran
  • Ashtiani, Mirza Mohammad Hasan (2004). Jurisprudence, Vol2, Qom: Zoheir Publication Institute, Kongereh Allameh Ashtiani (in Arabic)
  • Ashtiani, Mirza Mohammad Hasan bin Jafar (1949), Book of Judiciary (al Ashtiani i - al-Qadima), in one volume, Ch. 1, Tehran: Rangin Printing House. (in Arabic)
  • Ardabili, Ahmad bin Muhammad (No date), Zubadah al-Bayan fi Akhmat al-Qur'an, Ch. 1, Tehran: Al-Maktab Al-Jaafaria, Lahiya Al-Aqti al-Jaafaria. (in Arabic)
  • Ardabili, Ahmad ibn Muhammad (1982). Majma al-Faedeh val-Borhan fi Sharh al-Adhhan, Vol12, Qom: Islamic Publication Institute. (in Arabic)
  • Ibn Idris Helli, Muhammad ibn Mansour (1989), Al-Sara'er al-Hawi for Tahrir al-Fatawi, Vol2, Ch2, Qom: Islamic Publications Office. (in Arabic)
  • Ibn Hamzah Tusi, Muhammad ibn Ali (1987), Al-Wasila al-Nil al-Fadilah, Ch1, Qom: Publications of Ayatollah Murashi Najafi Library. (in Arabic)
  • Bahjat, Mohammad Taqi (2007), Istftatayat, Vol 3, Ch1, Qom: Office of Ayatollah Behjat. (in Persian)
  • Jafari Langroudi, Mohammad Jaafar (1979), Free Science in the Circulation of Evidence to Prove Claims (in Islamic Law), Journal of Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, No. 21. (in Persian)
  • Helli (Allameh), Hasan bin Yusuf (1992), Al- Ghavaeg Al-Ahkam Fi Marafah Al-Halal and Haram, Vol 3, 1, Qom: Islamic Publications Office. (in Arabic)
  • Khuroshi, Abdul Azim and Dehghani, Farzad (2020), article "The precedence of evidence over testimony with a focus on criticizing the arguments of opponents", Jurisprudence Magazine, 104, pp8-38. (in Persian)
  • Khomeini, Seyyed Ruhollah (2001), Istiftayat, Vol 3, Ch5, Qom: Islamic Publications Office.(in Arabic)
  • Khoiy, Seyyed Abu al-Qasim Mousavi (1997.), revision of Sharh al-Uruwa al-Wathqi, Vol 1, 1, Qom: under the authority of Mr. Lotfi. (in Arabic)
  • Ragheb Esfahani, Hossein bin Muhammad (1991), Al-Qur'an Words, Chapter 1, Lebanon: Dar Al Alam - Al Dar Al Shamia. (in Arabic)
  • Al-Zoheili, Muhammad Mustafa (1981.), Waysal al-Ahab fi al-Shari'a al-Islamiyyah (in civil transactions and personal conditions), Ch. 1, Damascus: Dar al-Bayan School. (in Arabic)
  • Sajdi, Mehdi and Navid Amsaki (2021), article "Jurisprudential approach to presenting official documents over ordinary ones in the system of Islamic judicial issues (proposal of amendment to the document registration law)" Journal of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law Studies, 25, pp289-312. (in Persian)
  • Saadi Abu Jaib (1987), Al-Qamoos al-Fiqhi, Linguistics and Terms, Ch. 2, Damascus: Dar al-Fakr. (in Arabic)
  • Sallar Dailami, Hamza bin Abdul Aziz (1983), Al-Marasim al-Alawi and al-Ahkam al-Nabawiyya fi Fiqh al-Imam, Qom: Manifesto al-Harameen. (in Arabic)
  • Seyyed Morteza, Ali bin Hossein Mousavi (1994), al-Intisar fi Infradat al-Umamiyah, Ch1, Qom: Islamic Publications Office affiliated with the Hozah Teachers Society, Qom University. (in Arabic)
  • Sivari Helli (Fazel Moqdad), Moqdad bin Abdullah (1987.), Al-Tanqih al-Mawhidhar for the Abbreviated Al-Shar'ee, Vol 4, 1, Qom: Publications of Ayatollah Murashi Najafi Library. (in Arabic)
  • Tabatabai, Seyyed Ali bin Muhammad Ha'eri (1997), Riaz al-Masal in the research of al-Ahkam with evidence, Vol 15, 1, Qom: Al-Al-Bayt Institute, peace be upon him. (in Arabic)
  • Tusi (Sheikh), (1986), Al-Khalaf, Vol 6, Qom: Islamic Publication Office affiliated to the Madrasin Community, 1th edition, Vol.4 & 6. (in Arabic)
  • Amelli (Shahid Thani), (1992), Masalak al-Afham Ela Tangheh Sharia al-Islam, Vol 14, Qom: Institute of Al-Maarif al-Islamiyah, 1th edition, vol. 14. (in Arabic)
  • Ameli (Shahid Aval), Muhammad Ibn Makki (1996), al-Dros al-Sharia fi fiqh al-Umamiyah, Vol 2, 2, Qom: Islamic Publications Office. (in Arabic)
  • Lankrani, Mohmmad Fazil (1993). Detail of Islamic Canon Law(Al-Ijtihad and Al-Taqlid), Qom: Al-Attahar Jurisprudence Center. (in Arabic)
  • Qomi, Abu al-Qasim bin Muhammad Hasan (1996.), The spoils of the days in matters of halal and haraam, Vol 5, 1, Qom: Publications of the Islamic Propaganda Office. (in Arabic)
  • Kazemi (Fazel), Javad bin Saad Asadi (No date), Masalak Al-Afham to Ayat Al-Ahkam, Vol 3, [No press] (in Arabic)
  • Koleini, Abu Jaafar, . (2008). Al-Kafi , Vol 7, Qom: Dar Al-Hadith for Printing and Publishing, , first, (in Arabic).
  • Golpaygani, Seyyed Mohammad Reza (1992), Kitab al-Qadaa, Vol 2, 1, Qom: Dar al-Qur'an al-Karim. (in Arabic)
  • Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (1990), al-Ghaved al-Fiqhiyyah, Vol2, Ch 3, Qom: School of Imam Amir al-Momineen - peace be upon him. (in Arabic)
  • Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (2006), Istftatayat al-Jadeed, Vol 1, Ch2, Qom: Publications of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) school. (in Persian)
  • Montazeri, Hossein Ali (Bita), Risalah Esfatatayat, Vol2, 1, Qom: [No press} (in persian)
  • Mousavi Ardabili, Syed Abd al-Karim, (2002). Jurisprudence, Vol 2, Qom, (in Arabic)
  • Naraqi, Ahmad. (1994). Mostand Al- Shiaht, Vol 17, Qom: Al- Albayt institute. (in Arabic)
  • Najafi (Saheb Javaher), Mohammad Hassan (1984), Javaher al-Kalam Fi Sharh al-Sh’aria al-Islam,Vol 40, Beirut: Dar al-Ehya al-Toras al-Arabi. (in Arabic)
Journal of Studies in Islamic Law & Jurisprudence
Volume 16, Issue 36
November 2024
Pages 285-314

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics