Muhammad bin Thabit Al-Abdi, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that a man asked Ata bin Abi Rabah, may Allah have mercy on him, and I was present there. He inquired: What is the meaning of Allah the Exalted’s statement: ﴿وَلَا يَأْبَ الشُّهَدَاءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا﴾“And the witnesses should not refuse when they are called”? Is this command before they are called to testify, or after they have already given testimony? Ata, may Allah have mercy on him, replied:“No, rather, it is after they have given testimony; after that, they should not refuse.”

Ata bin Abi Rabah (may Allah have mercy on him) says regarding the establishment of testimony: When the witnesses have given their testimony, then after that they should not deny it.

Ikrimah (may Allah have mercy on him) says regarding the establishment of testimony: When the witnesses have given their testimony, then after that they should not deny it.

Saeed bin Jubair (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "The witness is the one who is present, not the one who is absent."

Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "When you have testimony and you are called to give testimony, then present it."

Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If someone is called to give testimony or is called to establish testimony, then in both cases he should be present."

Ibrahim Nakha'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If you are called to testify and you have forgotten, then do not give testimony."

Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "If you are called to give testimony and you dislike it, then if you wish, do not give testimony."