Chapter on Legal Stratagems in Rulings

Amr ibn Thabit narrated from his father, from Sad ibn Tarif, from Al-Asbagh ibn Nubatah, who said: A woman was brought before Umar ibn al-Khattab. She had married an old man who died while lying on top of her after consummating the marriage. Later, she gave birth to a child. The old man's sons accused her of adultery and testified against her. Umar ordered that she be stoned. As they were leading her away, they passed by Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام. She called out: "O cousin of the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى! I am wronged, and this is my evidence." Imam عليه السلام said: "Present your evidence." She handed him a letter, and Imam عليه السلام read it. Then Imam عليه السلام said: "This woman is informing you of the date of her marriage, the date of consummation, and how it occurred. Return the woman." The next day, Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام summoned some children who were of the same age as the woman's child and told them to play. They played until they became distracted. Then Imam عليه السلام called out to them suddenly, and they all stood up, including the woman's child, who stood leaning on both his palms for support. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام called the child forward, confirmed his paternity, and ruled that he inherit from his father. He then ordered the brothers, who had falsely accused the woman, to be lashed one by one as the punishment for false accusation. Umar asked Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام: "How did you reach this judgment?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "I recognized the frailty of the old man from the way the child leaned on his palms to stand up."