The principles about witnesses and testimony in the Quran also serve to set the balance between crime and punishment. A person known to lie is not accepted as an eyewitness by the jurisdiction from then on. This is a huge risk to take for a person because it means a permanent black mark on one’s reputation. So, people would have to be honest, at least, to protect their reputation.
In God’s law, the rich, the poor, the noble, or the ordinary people are always judged equally and justly. Even the governors/rulers have to submit themselves to the law of God so that they can be judged freely:
“You who believe, be maintainers of rightfulness by bearing witness for the sake of God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives; whether the person is rich or poor. God is closer to them (than your closeness to them). Do not follow your own desire so that you can act justly. If you distort (the truth) or evade (testimony, know that) God is fully aware of what you do.” (Quran 4:135)
“You who believe, be constantly upright for God, equitably bearing witness to the truth. Do not let the hatred of a group of people lead you into deviating from justice, but adhere to justice, for that is closest to refraining from wrongs. Be mindful of God: God is well aware of all that you do.” (Quran 5:8)
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