[soc.religion.islam] Making a Will in Islam

szh@ncar.UCAR.EDU (Syed Zafarulla Hussaini) (07/26/90)

Someone asked a few days ago about Islam's position on making a will or 
testament. I couldn't find any references in Qur'an but there are several
Hadiths which touch this topic. I quote from Bukhari:

     Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him) said:
     "It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will,
     to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament 
     written and kept ready with him."

Since someone mentioned that one should/can will 1/3 of his property anyway
one likes, I think it is important that this subject be explained further.
In the words of the Prophet:

     "One-third is sufficient, though even one-third is too much."

In another Hadith, the reason for the above becomes apparent:

     "Don't delay giving in charity till you are on the death bed. 
     At that time the property is not yours but it belongs to 
     [your inheritors]."

ISNA provides a will service/kit. They used to advertise about it
in Islamic Horizons a few years ago. You could write to them for more
information at P. O. Box 38, Plainfield, IN 46168.

-Zafar

-- 
Syed Zafarulla Hussaini                             (szh@unhd.unh.edu)
Department of Mechanical Engineering,                   (603) 862-2788
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH.                (603) 862-7634

szh@uunet.UU.NET (Syed Zafarulla Hussaini) (08/03/90)

Someone asked a few days ago about Islam's position on making a will or 
testament. I couldn't find any references in Qur'an but there are several
Hadiths which touch this topic. I quote from Bukhari:

     Allah's Apostle (Peace be upon him) said:
     "It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will,
     to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament 
     written and kept ready with him."

Since someone mentioned that one should/can will 1/3 of his property anyway
one likes, I think it is important that this subject be explained further.
In the words of the Prophet:

     "One-third is sufficient, though even one-third is too much."

In another Hadith, the reason for the above becomes apparent:

     "Don't delay giving in charity till you are on the death bed. 
     At that time the property is not yours but it belongs to 
     [your inheritors]."

ISNA provides a will service/kit. They used to advertise about it
in Islamic Horizons a few years ago. You could write to them for more
information at P. O. Box 38, Plainfield, IN 46168.

-Zafar
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Syed Zafarulla Hussaini                             (szh@unhd.unh.edu)
Department of Mechanical Engineering,                   (603) 862-2788
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH.                (603) 862-7634