Chapter on False Testimony and What Has Been Reported Regarding it

Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub reported from Al-Ala and Abu Ayyub, who narrated from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, regarding two men who testified against an absent man in the presence of his wife, claiming that he had divorced her. The woman observed her waiting period (iddah) and then remarried. Later, the absent husband returned, asserting that he had not divorced her, and one of the witnesses admitted to lying. Imam عليه السلام said: "The second husband has no claim over her, and the dowry is to be taken from the witness who retracted his testimony and returned to the second husband. They must be separated, and the woman must observe the waiting period (iddah) from the second husband. The first husband may not approach her until her waiting period has ended."