Explanation of Legal Principle of “Everything that is known only by claimant will be heard”1 and Its Application in Iranian Legal Code

The legal principle of “Everything that is known only by claimant will be heard”, briefly known as the “maa laa ya’lam” is among legal principles that helps settlement of certain legal claims. Some cases are known only to the claimant due to confidentiality. Therefore, it is impossible to present evidence at the court for such claims. The legal principle of maa laa ya’lam (transliterated as what he does not know) is used to help resolving the case and the only solution is accepting the claimant’s claim without evidence. According to the related exhibits and evidences, this is a well-proven legal principle that has been invoked by the Infallible Household of the Prophet (pbuh) and Muslim jurists have made frequent mentions of it in their books. Instances of this legal principle’s effectuality can be found in various civil rights and penal codes. For instance, in civil rights, the principle is used in such claims on marriage, menstruation and payment of various dues, and also in penal code, it is used in case of presenting proof of no adultery.