Qanbar

1. [1/221] al-Faqih: Via his chain to Muhammad b. Qays from Abi Ja’far عليه السلام that: Ali عليه السلام was in the Masjid of Kufa when Abdallah b. Kufl al-Taymi passed by with an armour belonging to Talha. Ali عليه السلام said: this is the armour of Talha which was taken by treachery in the battle of Basra [Jamal]. Ibn Kufl said: O Commander of the Faithful – place between us your judge whom you have chosen over the Muslims [to decide the case], so he [Ali] appointed Shurayh to adjudicate between them. Ali عليه السلام said: this is the armour of Talha which was taken by treachery in the battle of Basra. Shurayh said: O Commander of the Faithful – produce evidence for what you say. He [Ali] brought al-Hasan b. Ali عليه السلام who testified that the armour belonged to Talha and was taken treacherously in the battle of Basra. Shurayh said: this is one witness, and I do not rule based on a sole witness unless there is another one with him [to corroborate]. Then he [Ali] brought Qanbar and he too testified that it was the armour of Talha taken treacherously in the battle of Basra. He [Shurayh] said: this one is a slave, and I do not rule based on the testimony of a slave. Thereupon Ali became angry and said: take away the armour [from Abdallah b. Kufl] for this one [Shurayh] has transgressed in his ruling three times! Shurayh abandoned his judgment seat and said: I will not judge between two – ever – unless you inform me how I have transgressed thrice in my rulings? Ali said to him: when I said: ‘this is the armour of Talha which was taken by treachery in the battle of Basra’ you said: ‘produce evidence for what you say’ while the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه واله had said: “wherever a usurped booty is found it is taken without any evidence [required]”, I [Ali] said [to myself]: the man has not heard the Hadith [is unaware of it]. Then I brought al-Hasan who testified so you said: ‘this is one witness, and I do not rule based on a sole witness unless there is another one with him [to corroborate]’ while the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه واله used to give judgment based on [the evidence of] a single witness and an oath [if the witness backs up what he says by swearing an oath]. Finally, I brought Qanbar who testified so you said: ‘this one is a slave’ but there is no problem with the testimony of a slave if he is Adil [possessing moral probity]. This then was the third [transgression you made]. Then he عليه السلام said: O Shurayh the Imam of the Muslims is entrusted to oversee their affairs in regards things which are much greater than this! Abu Ja’far عليه السلام said: The first to reject the testimony of slaves was RUMA.