Hadith.3257 - Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) judged in the case of a man who was brought by two others who said: "This man has stolen a coat of armor." The accused pleaded with Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) to examine the evidence carefully and said: "By Allah (swt), if the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) were here, he would never cut off my hand." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) asked: "Why?" The man replied: "Because my Lord (azj), the Almighty, would have informed him of my innocence, and He (sw) would have declared me innocent based on that knowledge." When Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) saw how the man pleaded, Imam (as) called the two witnesses and said to them: "Fear Allah (swt), and do not have this man's hand cut off unjustly." Imam (as) continued to appeal to them and then said: "Let one of you cut off his hand while the other holds it." As they prepared to execute the sentence, they stirred the people, causing a commotion in the crowd. In the chaos, they released the accused man and fled, blending into the crowd. The accused man then returned and said: "O Commander of the Faithful, these two men testified against me falsely. When the crowd was stirred, they released me and fled. If they were truthful, they would neither have fled nor let me go." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "Who can lead me to these two witnesses so that I may punish them?"