Is the testimony of a Dhimmi against a Muslim permissible in courts in the absence of other witnesses?
Ahl adh-Dhimma are the covenanted people among the Jews, Christians, and others who reside in Dar al-Islam (the abode of Islam), and they are allowed to remain in their disbelief on condition that they pay the jizya (tribute) and abide by the worldly rulings of Islam. There is no disagreement among jurists regarding the permissibility of a Muslim bearing witness against a non-Muslim, while they differed on the permissibility of disbelievers bearing witness against one another. The testimony of a disbeliever against a Muslim is not permissible except in cases of necessity concerning a will made during travel when Muslims are not available. However, the general rule is that the witness must be a Muslim, as Allah Almighty says: "And call to witness two of your men" (Quran 2:282), and His saying: "And bring to witness two just men from among you" (Quran 65:2). A disbeliever is neither just nor "from among you."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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