Chapter on Legal Stratagems in Rulings

In the narration of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Thaqafi: Two men entrusted a woman with a deposit and said to her, "Do not give it to either of us until we both come together to collect it." Then they left and were absent for a while. One of them came to her and said: "Give me my deposit, for my companion has died." She refused, but he repeatedly came to her until she finally gave it to him. Later, the other man came and said: "Give me my deposit." She replied: "Your companion took it and claimed that you had died." They brought their case before Umar, who said to her, "I see no way except that you are liable." The woman said: "Make Ali عليه السلام judge between me and him." So Umar said to Imam عليه السلام: "Judge between them." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "This deposit is still with her, and you both instructed her not to hand it over to either of you until you were both present. Bring your companion to me." Thus, Imam عليه السلام did not hold her liable. Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "They only intended to deceive the woman and take her wealth."