Sanad (a written instrument of right, and the chain of narrators)

In language sanad is the part of a mountain that rises above its foot, and whatever is leaned on and relied upon, such as a wall; from this a debt certificate is also called a sanad. ¹

The technical sense is a written instrument by which rights are secured. It is valid for proving rights before a ruler or judge. The Majalla requires that it state what establishes the right, for example the amount of the debt in figures and in words; that it bear the name of the person entitled; and that it be sealed by the debtor and signed. ¹ It must be free from forgery, erasure and alteration, and experts must confirm that the hand is the scribe's. ¹ The Majalla also says that the hand and seal alone are not enough, but a sound instrument free from any suspicion of forgery is acted on. ¹

When a sanad meets the conditions for its validity it counts as a confession in writing. The Majalla holds that one who writes a sanad, or has it written and returns it signed or sealed, is bound as if he had spoken; and one who orders a scribe to write that he owes a sum to another, and signs or seals it, has made a written confession. ^{1 2} See the entries on confession, proof, documentation and forgery. ²

Sanad also names the chain of transmitters leading to a hadith's text; the conditions for accepting the chain were treated under the entry on isnad. ²