Islamic will guidelines
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum
I am an attorney practising in South Africa. I have been asked by a Muslim client ro draw up an Islamic will. I have briefly looked at questions on your site but they seem to be for a specific set of scenario’s. I am looking for the general principles regarding drawing up a will specifically how two thirds of it should be distributed. Could you please point me in thr right direction, I don’t want to use any website I find without it being a reliable source
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.
The following clauses should be included in the will:
– The estate will first be used to fulfill all funeral expenses.
– Thereafter, fulfillment of all debts (including any legal fees).
– Thereafter, fulfillment of all religious liabilities and bequests made to non-heirs from one-third of the remainder after the previous clauses have been fulfilled.
As for the distribution of the remaining two-thirds, it is difficult to provide specific principles regarding its distribution due the vast number of possible scenarios. Therefore, it will be sufficient to state in the will that the estate should be distributed in accordance with the Islamic Laws of Inheritance and Succession.[1] The executors will then have to take it upon themselves to consult an Islamic scholar regarding the exact distribution.
For a standard Islamic will template, you may visit the following link:
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
Adil Sadique
Student Darul Iftaa
New York, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.
[1] «السراجي في الميراث، المكتبة البشرى» (ص 8-5)
قال علماؤنا رحمهم الله: تتعلق بتركة الميت حقوق أربعة مرتبة: الأول: يبدأ بتكفينه وتجهيزه من غير تبذير ولا تقتير، ثم تقضى ديونه من جميع ماله، ثم تنفذ وصاياه من ثلث ما بقي بعد الدين، ثم يقسم الباقي بين ورثته بالكتاب والسنة وإجماع الأمة.
«فتاویٰ محمودیہ،مکتبہ محمودیہ » (30/ 30 -29)
ترکۂ میت میں چار قسم کے حق ہیں -اول خود میت کا حق ہے وہ یہ کہ اس کی تجہیز و تکفین متوسط طریقہ پر کی جائے…دوسرا حق قرض خواہوں کا ہے …تیسرا حق موصی لہ کا ہے …چوتھا حق ورثہ کا ہے