The imamate of one who gave truthful testimony

Question

Zayd is the imam in the mosque of his neighbourhood. After the death of his aunt (his paternal uncle’s wife), a dispute arose among her heirs concerning property. Then someone said to Zayd, who is the imam in the neighbourhood mosque: “You are also a relative; you will have to testify in court.” Zayd said: “Fine, take my testimony wherever you like, but I will testify to what I know to be correct.

Answer

Because the imam gave truthful testimony in court to the extent that he knows of the matter, no defect has come into his imamate; without doubt his imamate remains valid and sound as before.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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