Shurayḥ ibn al-ḤÃÂrith (ôñÃÂàçèàçÃÂÃÂçñë) ibn Qays ibn al-Jahm al-Kindî ëd. June 697/~80 Hijri) was a tÃÂbiâ ( singular of Tabi'un ) who converted to Islam in Yemen during the lifetime of Muhammad though he never met him. During the reign of Abà « Bakr al-á¹¢iddëq, he relocated to Kufah in Iraq. He served as a judge.
A well-known historical anecdote involving Caliph ÿAlë ibn Abë ṬÃÂlib (RA) and QÃÂá¸Âë Shurayḥ ibn al-ḤÃÂrith al-Kindë illustrates early Islamic judicial principles. According to classical sources, Sayidduna Alë brought a legal case concerning a shield claimed to belong to him, which was in the possession of a Jewish man in Kà «fah.
QÃÂá¸Âë Shurayḥ, serving as judge at the time, requested proof from the claimant. Sayidunna Alë presented his son Sayidunna Ḥasan as his witness. QÃÂá¸Âë Shurayḥ ruled that the sonâÂÂs testimony was not admissible due to the close familial relationship, and with no other evidence, the case was decided in favor of the defendant. The Jewish man, impressed by the fairness of the ruling, reportedly returned the shield and admitted the shield did indeed belong to Sayidunna Ali and he accepted Islam. Sayidunna Ali then gifted the shield to the man.
This story is cited in early Islamic legal texts, including Abà « Yà «sufâÂÂs KitÃÂb al-KharÃÂj, and is often used to demonstrate the principle that even the ruler is subject to the law and that judicial decisions are independent of political authority. Sources do not indicate any coercion or improper influence in ShurayḥâÂÂs ruling.
The anecdote is considered a classical example of judicial impartiality in early Islam, and it has been referenced in both Sunni and Shiÿi historical discussions of law and governance.