Al-Ma'idah 5:108

<h2>Testimony of Two Just Witnesses for the Final Will and Testament</h2><p>This honorable Ayah contains a glorious ruling from Allah. Allah's statement,</p><p>يِـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ شَهَـدَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنَانِ</p><p>(O you who believe! When death approaches any of you, and you make a bequest, then take the testimony of two...) meaning that there should be two witnesses in such cases,</p><p>ذَوَا عَدْلٍ</p><p>(just men...) thus, describing them as just,</p><p>مِّنكُمْ</p><p>(of your own folk) Muslims.</p><p>أَوْ ءَاخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ</p><p>(or two others from outside) non-Muslims, meaning the People of the Book, according to Ibn `Abbas as Ibn Abi Hatim recorded. Allah said next,</p><p>إِنْ أَنتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ</p><p>(if you are traveling through the land) on a journey,</p><p>فَأَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةُ الْمَوْتِ</p><p>(and the calamity of death befalls you.) These are two conditions that permit using non-Muslims from among the Dhimmis for witnesses when there are no Muslims present: When one is traveling and needs to write a will, as Sharih Al-Qadi said. Ibn Jarir recorded that Sharih said, "The witness of the Jews and Christians is not allowed except while traveling, and even then only to witness the dictation of the will." Allah's statement,</p><p>تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِن بَعْدِ الصَّلوةِ</p><p>(Detain them both after the Salah (the prayer),) refers to the `Asr …

Thus it is more likely that they will bear true witness or fear that after their oaths the oaths (of others) will be taken. So be mindful of your duty (to Allah) and hearken. Allah guideth not the froward folk.

That is most suitable: that they may give the evidence in its true nature and shape, or else they would fear that other oaths would be taken after their oaths. But fear Allah, and listen (to His counsel): for Allah guideth not a rebellious people:

That should make it closer (to the fact) that their testimony would be in its true nature and shape (and thus accepted), or else they would fear that (other) oaths would be admitted after their oaths. And fear Allah and listen (with obedience to Him). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious and disobedient).

That makes it more likely that they will give true testimony, fearing that their oaths might be contradicted by subsequent oaths. So fear God, and listen. God does not guide the disobedient people.