SHARIAH ANALYSIS OF QANUN-E-SHAHADAT ORDER AND APPLICATION OF CLASSICAL QARĪNA DOCTRINES ON ELECTRONIC-EVIDENCE
Keywords:
Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, Shariah-compliant evidence, Classical Qarīna, Islamic jurisprudenceAbstract
The advent of digital technology has transformed the evidentiary landscape, presenting unique challenges for legal systems grounded in classical doctrines. This article undertakes a Shariah-based analysis of Pakistan’s Qanun-e-Shahadat Order (QSO), 1984, with particular focus on its treatment of electronic evidence. It examines how traditional Islamic principles of proof, especially the classical doctrine of Qarīna (presumptions and inferential evidence), can inform the admissibility, credibility, and weight of electronic records such as emails, digital contracts, and forensic data. By juxtaposing the QSO provisions with classical qarīna concepts, the study identifies convergences and gaps, highlighting areas where contemporary judicial practice may benefit from Shariah-guided reasoning. The article also discusses methodological challenges in interpreting electronic evidence under both statutory and Shariah frameworks, emphasizing principles such as certainty (yaqin), corroboration, and avoidance of unjust assumptions. Through case law analysis and doctrinal comparison, it proposes a harmonized approach that respects the integrity of Islamic evidentiary standards while addressing the technical complexities of digital proof. The findings underscore the potential for classical qarīna doctrines to enrich modern evidentiary evaluation, ensuring justice, reliability, and fairness in the digital age.
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