Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 248
Testimony of Muslims against Non-Muslims and Vice Versa 243 remote possibility remained that his verdict, reached on the basis of available evidence, was only provisionally correct. An eloquent person could argue his case in a most convincing manner and a judge, while fulfilling all the demands of justice, could come to the wrong conclusion. In that case the responsibility for the miscarriage of justice would fall on the shoulders of the dishonest advocate and not on the shoulders of the judge. It was towards this eventuality that the Holy Prophet sa was alluding when he said: I am but human. You bring your disputes to my attention, and one disputant may present his case in a more persuasive manner than the other. It is possible that I reach my verdict based on the arguments presented to me. Remember, the beneficiary of that verdict should not take what is awarded to him, as it will be like a ball of fire for him. 41 The point to note is that even if the Holy Prophet sa could be misled on the strength of advocacy and available evidence to give a decision in favour of the wrong party, the responsibility would shift entirely from him to this party. It knows full well that it is the