Question: A Hindu friend of mine has been reading a Tamil translation of the Quran. After reading Chapter 24:13—where God demands four witnesses from those who accused Aisha—he asked: "At many Muslim weddings, the marriage is solemnized with just two witnesses—one from the bride's side and one from the groom's side. Is this permissible?" Please provide an explanation.
- M. Diwan Maideen, Periyakulam
Answer: According to Islamic law, there must be a minimum of two witnesses for financial transactions and other agreements. This is evident from verses 2:282 and 5:106 of the Holy Quran. Since marriage is also a form of contract, a minimum of two witnesses is indeed sufficient for it.
However, making an accusation against a woman's chastity is not like an ordinary contract. The future of the woman so accused would be severely impacted. The punishment prescribed if adultery is proven is extremely harsh. Such a severe punishment cannot be imposed based on the testimony of only two individuals.
That is why those who level such accusations against women must prove the matter beyond doubt by producing at least four witnesses. Islam is strict on this point; even if a charge of adultery is brought against a man, four witnesses must testify that they personally witnessed the act.
Furthermore, the very chapter you mentioned states that if anyone speaks about this matter without the presence of four witnesses, they must be punished with eighty lashes.
Even if one or two people witness a woman engaging in illicit conduct, they are forbidden from spreading the information. All four must be direct witnesses.
An exception is made only for the husband in this regard. A husband who sees his wife in a compromising situation is not required to produce four witnesses, as he would naturally be unwilling to continue living with her thereafter. Therefore, if a man wishes to separate [from his wife due to an allegation of unchastity], he must do so by swearing an oath four times.
Islam gifted this remarkable law to the world to emphasize the gravity of making accusations regarding chastity and to safeguard the honor of women. No country possessed such an extraordinary law, not even in the twentieth century. Gossip and rumors are often spread casually; if a law of this nature were implemented globally, the lives of many women would be protected.