Witnessing Evidence

Witnessing evidence and being a witness to an actual event are fundamentally different concepts, and conflating the two can lead to false claims. Witnessing evidence involves observing or encountering information, objects, or signs that suggest something has occurred. For instance, finding footprints in the snow indicates that someone walked by, but this is an inference based on observable signs, not a direct observation of the event itself. In contrast, being a witness to an event means directly observing or experiencing the occurrence as it happens, such as actually seeing the person walk by and leave the footprints.

Therefore, if someone claims to have witnessed an event solely based on evidence, they are making a false statement since they were not present at the event. This misrepresentation is a form of dishonesty, as it implies a level of firsthand knowledge that is not true.

Here is an example. Imagine being a judge presiding over a case where a couple is accused of committing adultery. As the judge, you are presented with evidence, and under the laws of the Quran, you hear testimonies from four individual eyewitnesses. After reviewing all the evidence and testimonies, you determine that the accused couple indeed committed adultery. You can truthfully say that you have examined the evidence and concluded that the accusation is true. However, you cannot claim that you were one of the eyewitnesses to the actual event. Making such a statement would be factually incorrect and would make you a liar.

Interestingly, we see this kind of witness referenced in three places in the Quran. The first one occurs in Sura 12, Joseph, when a witness from the governor's wife's family suggested the following:

[12:26] He said, "She is the one who tried to seduce me." A witness from her family suggested: "If his garment is torn from the front, then she is telling the truth and he is a liar.

[12:27] "And if his garment is torn from the back, then she lied, and he is telling the truth."

قَالَ هِىَ رَٰوَدَتْنِى عَن نَّفْسِى وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَآ إِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ

وَإِن كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن دُبُرٍ فَكَذَبَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ

The second occurrence is regarding an individual who was a witness to solid proof within the Quran.

[11:17] As for those who are given solid proof from their Lord, reported by a witness from Him, and before it, the book of Moses has set a precedent and a mercy,** they will surely believe. As for those who disbelieve among the various groups, Hell is awaiting them. Do not harbor any doubt; this is the truth from your Lord, but most people disbelieve.

أَفَمَن كَانَ عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ وَيَتْلُوهُ شَاهِدٌ مِّنْهُ وَمِن قَبْلِهِۦ كِتَـٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِمَامًا وَرَحْمَةً أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ فَٱلنَّارُ مَوْعِدُهُۥ فَلَا تَكُ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ إِنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

The last occurrence of a witness of evidence can be found in the following verse regarding a witness from among the Children of Israel who witnessed a phenomenon in the Old Testament that is similar to the Quran. For reference, this witness was Rabbi Judah the Pious (11th Century A.D.), who discovered the same 19-based mathematical code in intact fragments of the scripture (see Appendix 1).

[46:10] Say, "What if it is from GOD and you disbelieved in it? A witness from the Children of Israel has borne witness to a similar phenomenon, and he has believed, while you have turned arrogant. Surely, GOD does not guide the wicked people."

قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِن كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ وَكَفَرْتُم بِهِۦ وَشَهِدَ شَاهِدٌ مِّنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ عَلَىٰ مِثْلِهِۦ فَـَٔامَنَ وَٱسْتَكْبَرْتُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

So, in summary, bearing witness to evidence does not mean one can claim to bear witness to the actual event itself.