Chapter on Refraining From Testimony, What Has Been Mentioned About Establishing it, Emphasizing it, and Concealing it

It is narrated from Hisham ibn Salim, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, regarding the words of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic: "And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:282) Imam عليه السلام said: "This refers to before giving testimony." And regarding His سبحانه وتعالى words: "And whoever conceals it, his heart is indeed sinful" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:283) Imam عليه السلام said: "This refers to after giving testimony."

It is narrated from Uthman ibn Isa, from some of our companions, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام. I said to Imam عليه السلام, "A man from my brothers has a testimony with me, but not all of it is admissible by the judges here." Imam عليه السلام said: "If you know that it is true, then validate it in every possible way so that his right is established."

It is narrated from Jabir, from Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, who said that the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "Whoever conceals testimony or gives false testimony to shed the blood of a Muslim or to destroy the wealth of a Muslim, will come on the Day of Judgment with darkness on his face extending as far as the eye can see, and scars on his face by which all creatures will recognize him by his name and lineage. And whoever testifies truthfully to preserve the wealth of a Muslim, will come on the Day of Judgment with light on his face extending as far as the eye can see, and all creatures will recognize him by his name and lineage." Then Abu Ja'far Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, said: "Do you not see that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, says: 'And establish the testimony for Allah سبحانه وتعالى'?" (Surah At-Talaq 65:2)

And Imam عليه السلام said regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious: "And whoever conceals it, then indeed his heart is sinful" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:283) Imam عليه السلام said: "His heart is disbelieving."