Question 2207) - Will apparent 'adalah of the witness be accepted or must his public and private life be investigated?

A: According to Imaam Abu Hanifah RAH. a Muslim is accepted as 'adil on face-value except in matters of Hudud and Qisas. In these cases he must be investigated just as the allegations of the disputants are investigated. According to Imaam Abu Yusuf RAH. and Imaam Muhammed RAH. a public and secret investigation must be held.

~ al-Quduri ~