Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, “If people were given what they asked when they brought a case some would claim the lives and property of others; but the oath must be taken by the defendant.” Muslim transmitted it. In the commentary on his work by Nawawi it says that in Baihaqi’s version with an isnad which is hasan or sahih there is an addition on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas which is traced to the Prophet, “But the proof lies on the plaintiff and the oath must be taken by him who rejects the claim.”
Reported by Muslim (No. 1711a), Ibn Majah (No. 2321) and Ahmad (No. 3020). Cited in Mishkat al-Masabih (No. 3758).
"Were people to be given everything they claimed, some men would claim the properties and blood of other people. However, the onus of proof is on the plaintiff, and the oath is upon the one who denies the claim (defendant)."
عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم قَالَ: "لَوْ يُعْطَى النَّاسُ بِدَعْوَاهُمْ لَادَّعَى رِجَالٌ أَمْوَالَ قَوْمٍ وَدِمَاءَهُمْ، لَكِنَّ الْبَيِّنَةَ عَلَى…
"Were people to be given everything they claimed, some men would claim the properties and blood of (other) people. However, the onus of proof is on the plaintiff and the oath is upon the one who denies the claim (defendant)."
عَن ابنِ عباسٍ رضي الله عنهما أنَّ رسولَ اللهِ صلي الله عليه وسلم قال: «لَو يُعطَى النّاسُ بدَعواهُم لادَّعَى رِجالٌ أموالَ قَومٍ ودِماءَهُم، ولَكِنَّ البَيِّنَةَ على المُدَّعِى، واليَمينَ على مَن أنكَرَ».
