There was once a village whose people were infamous for lying and giving false testimony. In that same village, a man and a woman secretly got married — fulfilling all the religious requirements except for the public announcement of the marriage. The officiant was present, the witnesses were there, and the mutual acceptance (Ijab-o-Qubool) took place properly. After some time, disputes arose between the husband and wife, and they decided to part ways. However, the husband refused to grant the woman her rightful dues under Islamic law. When the woman took the matter to the Qazi (judge) to seek justice, the husband outright denied ever knowing her. The woman said, “The witnesses of my marriage are still alive — summon them.” The witnesses were called before the court, but they too denied recognizing the woman. At this point, the Qazi asked the woman, “Do you have dogs at your home?” The woman replied, “Yes.” The Qazi then said: > “Hal taqbaleena bishahadati kilabihim wa hukmihim?” “Do you accept the testimony and judgment of your dogs?” The woman nodded in agreement. The Qazi then passed a strange yet wise judgment: “Take this woman to her house. If the dogs bark at her, she is lying — for dogs bark at strangers. But if they remain calm and do not bark, she is truthful — for they recognize and are familiar with her.” As soon as this judgment was announced, the husband and witnesses turned pale and began to fidget in shame, for their falsehood was exposed. They confessed to their lies on the spot. The Qazi then spoke a historic sentence, one that is enough to reform the life of any person who has even an ounce of conscience, modesty, or honor — and meaningless to those who have none. He said: > “B’isa al-qaryatu allati kilabuha asdaqu min ahliha.” “Wretched is the village whose dogs are more truthful than its people.”

AI Image Generator Time: Oct 10, 2025