Judge Passes Verdict Against His Son

Qadhi Shuraih ibn al-Harith (radiallahu anhu) was an outstanding Muslim judge who was appointed by Umar (radiallahu anhu). He served as a judge for sixty years. One day, his son said to him:

“I have a dispute with a group of people. Please advise me how to handle the matter. If I am correct in your opinion, then I will proceed with the matter in court, otherwise, I will drop the case.”

He then related the case to his father. Qadhi Shuraih (radiallahu anhu) heard the story and advised his son to proceed with the case. When it was brought to the court, Qadhi Shuraih (radiallahu anhu) gave the verdict against his son. When they returned home, his son said to him:

“By Allah, had I not presented the case to you in court, you would not have been constrained to disgrace me!”

His father replied:

“By Allah, my beloved son, you are dearer to me than the entire world, but Allah (SWT) is more exalted in my sight than you. If I had informed you that you did not have a valid case, you would have reconciled with your opponents, depriving them of certain rights which were due to them.”