What is the meaning of "إن كان" (in kaana) in the context of: "فإن كان هذا الشاب قد اتهمك زورا وبهتانا، فقد أساء إساءة بالغة" (If this young man has falsely and slanderously accused you, then he has committed a grave offense)?

Summary: The phrase "If you are as you say" was used because the questioner claims that another party accused him of sodomy, and this is unknown to the answerer. This usage is common in Islamic law, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said in Sahih (definition) al-Bukhari to a man who complained about his relatives' ill-treatment: "If you are as you say, then it is as if you are feeding them hot ashes."