Wills and Testaments (Wasaayaa)
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 1:
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle 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."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 2:
Narrated Amr bin Al-Harith:
(The brother of the wife of Allah's Apostle. Juwaira bint Al-Harith) When Allah's
Apostle died, he did not leave any Dirham or Dinar (i.e. money), a slave or a slave woman
or anything else except his white mule, his arms and a piece of land which he had given in
charity .
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 3:
Narrated Talha bin Musarrif:
I asked 'Abdullah bin Abu Aufa "Did the Prophet make a will?" He replied,
"No," I asked him, "How is it then that the making of a will has been
enjoined on people, (or that they are ordered to make a will)?" He replied, "The
Prophet bequeathed Allah's Book (i.e. Quran)."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 4:
Narrated Al-Aswad:
In the presence of 'Aisha some people mentioned that the Prophet had appointed 'Ali by
will as his successor. 'Aisha said, "When did he appoint him by will? Verily when he
died he was resting against my chest (or said: in my lap) and he asked for a wash-basin
and then collapsed while in that state, and I could not even perceive that he had died, so
when did he appoint him by will?"
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 5:
Narrated Sad bin Abu Waqqas:
The Prophet came visiting me while I was (sick) in Mecca, ('Amir the sub-narrator said,
and he disliked to die in the land, whence he had already migrated). He (i.e. the Prophet)
said, "May Allah bestow His Mercy on Ibn Afra (Sad bin Khaula)." I said, "O
Allah's Apostle! May I will all my property (in charity)?" He said, "No." I
said, "Then may I will half of it?" He said, "No". I said, "One
third?" He said: "Yes, one third, yet even one third is too much. It is better
for you to leave your inheritors wealthy than to leave them poor begging others, and
whatever you spend for Allah's sake will be considered as a charitable deed even the
handful of food you put in your wife's mouth. Allah may lengthen your age so that some
people may benefit by you, and some others be harmed by you." At that time Sad had
only one daughter.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 6:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
I recommend that people reduce the proportion of what they bequeath by will to the
fourth (of the whole legacy), for Allah's Apostle said, "One-third, yet even one
third is too much."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 7:
Narrated Sad:
I fell sick and the Prophet paid me a visit. I said to him, "O Allah's Apostle! I
invoke Allah that He may not let me expire in the land whence I migrated (i.e.
Mecca)." He said, "May Allah give you health and let the people benefit by
you." I said, "I want to will my property, and I have only one daughter and I
want to will half of my property (to be given in charity)." He said," Half is
too much." I said, "Then I will one third." He said, "One-third, yet
even one-third is too much." (The narrator added, "So the people started to will
one third of their property and that was Permitted for them.")
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 8:
Narrated 'Aisha:
(the wife of the Prophet) Utba bin Abi Waqqas entrusted (his son) to his brother Sad
bin Abi Waqqas saying, "The son of the slave-girl of Zam'a is my (illegal) son, take
him into your custody." So during the year of the Conquest (of Mecca) Sad took the
boy and said, "This is my brother's son whom my brother entrusted to me." 'Abu
bin Zam's got up and said, "He is my brother and the son of the slave girl of my
father and was born on my father's bed." Then both of them came to Allah's Apostle
and Sad said, "O Allah's Apostle! This is my brother's son whom my brother entrusted
to me."
Then 'Abu bin Zam'a got up and said, "This is my brother and the son of the
slave-girl of my father." Allah's Apostle said, "O Abu bin Zam'a! This boy is
for you as the boy belongs to the bed (where he was born), and for the adulterer is the
stone (i.e. deprivation)." Then the Prophet said to his wife Sauda bint Zam'a,
"Screen yourself from this boy," when he saw the boy's resemblance to 'Utba.
Since then the boy did not see Sauda till he died.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 9:
Narrated Anas:
A Jew crushed the head of a girl between two stones. She was asked, "Who has done
so to you, so-and-so? So-and-so?" Till the name of the Jew was mentioned, whereupon
she nodded (in agreement). So the Jew was brought and was questioned till he confessed.
The Prophet then ordered that his head be crushed with stones.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 10:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The custom (in old days) was that the property of the deceased would be inherited by
his offspring; as for the parents (of the deceased), they would inherit by the will of the
deceased. Then Allah cancelled from that custom whatever He wished and fixed for the male
double the amount inherited by the female, and for each parent a sixth (of the whole
legacy) and for the wife an eighth or a fourth and for the husband a half or a fourth.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 11:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A man asked the Prophet, "O Allah's Apostle! What kind of charity is the
best?" He replied. "To give in charity when you are healthy and greedy hoping to
be wealthy and afraid of becoming poor. Don't delay giving in charity till the time when
you are on the death bed when you say, 'Give so much to so-and-so and so much to so-and
so,' and at that time the property is not yours but it belongs to so-and-so (i.e. your
inheritors)."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 12:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks he tells
a lie; whenever he is entrusted he proves dishonest; whenever he promises he breaks his
promise."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 13:
Narrated 'Urwa bin Az-Zubair: Hakim bin Hizam said, "I asked Allah's Apostle for
something, and he gave me, and I asked him again and he gave me and said, 'O Hakim! This
wealth is green and sweet (i.e. as tempting as fruits), and whoever takes it with
The upper (i.e. giving) hand is better than the lower (i.e. taking) hand." Hakim
added, "I said, O Allah's Apostle! By Him Who has sent you with the Truth I will
never demand anything from anybody after you till I die." Afterwards Abu Bakr used to
call Hakim to give him something but he refused to accept anything from him. Then 'Umar
called him to give him (something) but he refused. Then 'Umar said, "O Muslims! I
offered to him (i.e. Hakim) his share which Allah has ordained for him from this booty and
he refuses to take it." Thus Hakim did not ask anybody for anything after the
Prophet, till he died--may Allah bestow His mercy upon him.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 14:
Narrated Ibn Umar:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "All of you are guardians and responsible for your
charges: the Ruler (i.e. Imam) is a guardian and responsible for his subjects; and a man
is a guardian of his family and is responsible for his charges; and a lady is a guardian
in the house of her husband and is responsible for her charge; and a servant is a guardian
of the property of his master and is responsible for his charge." I think he also
said, "And a man is a guardian of the property of his father."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 15:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said to Abu Talha, "I recommend that you divide (this garden) amongst
your relatives." Abu Talha said, "O Allah's Apostle! I will do the same."
So Abu Talha divided it among his relatives and cousins.
Ibn 'Abbes said, "When the Qur'anic Verse:
"Warn your nearest kinsmen." (26.214)
Was revealed, the Prophet started calling the various big families of Quraish, "O
Bani Fihr! O Bani Adi!".
Abu Huraira said, "When the Verse: "Warn your nearest kinsmen" was
revealed, the Prophet said (in a loud voice), "O people of Quraish!"
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 16:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
When Allah revealed the Verse: "Warn your nearest kinsmen," Allah's Apostle
got up and said, "O people of Quraish (or said similar words)! Buy (i.e. save)
yourselves (from the Hellfire) as I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment; O Bani Abd
Manaf! I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment, O Safiya, the Aunt of Allah's Apostle! I
cannot save you from Allah's Punishment; O Fatima bint Muhammad! Ask me anything from my
wealth, but I cannot save you from Allah's Punishment."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 17:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet saw a man driving a Badana (i.e. camel for sacrifice) and said to him,
"Ride on it." The man said, "O Allah's Apostle! It is a Bandana." (The
Prophet repeated his order) and on the third or fourth time he said, "Ride it, (woe
to you" or said: "May Allah be merciful to you)."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 18:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle saw a man driving a Badana and said to him, "Ride on it," and
on the second or the third time he added, "Woe to you."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 19:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The mother of Sad bin 'Ubada died in his absence. He said, "O Allah's Apostle! My
mother died in my absence; will it be of any benefit for her if I give Sadaqa on her
behalf?" The Prophet said, "Yes," Sad said, "I make you a witness that
I gave my garden called Al Makhraf in charity on her behalf."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 20:
Narrated Kab bin Malik:
I said, "O Allah's Apostle! For the acceptance of my repentance I wish to give all
my property in charity for Allah's sake through His Apostle ." He said, "It is
better for you to keep some of the property for yourself." I said, "Then I will
keep my share in Khaibar."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 21:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
Some people claim that the order in the above Verse is cancelled, by Allah, it is not
cancelled, but the people have stopped acting on it. There are two kinds of guardians (who
are in charge of the inheritance): One is that who inherits; such a person should give (of
what he inherits to the relatives, the orphans and the needy, etc.), the other is that who
does not inherit (e.g. the guardian of the orphans): such a person should speak kindly and
say (to those who are present at the time of distribution), "I can not give it to you
(as the wealth belongs to the orphans)."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 22:
Narrated 'Aisha:
A man said to the Prophet, "My mother died suddenly, and I think that if she could
speak, she would have given in charity. May I give in charity on her behalf?" He
said, "Yes! Give in charity on her behalf."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 23:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
Sad bin Ubada consulted Allah's Apostle saying, "My mother died and she had an
unfulfilled vow." The Prophet said, "Fulfill it on her behalf."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 24:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
That the mother of Sad bin Ubada the brother of Bani Saida died in Sad's absence, so he
came to the Prophet saying, "O Allah's Apostle! My mother died in my absence, will it
benefit her if I give in charity on her behalf?" The Prophet said, "Yes."
Sad said, "I take you as my witness that I give my garden Al-Makhraf in charity on
her behalf."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 25:
Narrated Az-Zuhri:
Urwa bin Az-Zubair said that he asked 'Aisha about the meaning of the Quranic Verse:--
"And if you fear that you will not deal fairly with the orphan girls then marry
(other) women of your choice." (4.2-3)
Aisha said, "It is about a female orphan under the guardianship of her guardian
who is inclined towards her because of her beauty and wealth, and likes to marry her with
a Mahr less than what is given to women of her standard. So they (i.e. guardians) were
forbidden to marry the orphans unless they paid them a full appropriate Mahr (otherwise)
they were ordered to marry other women instead of them. Later on the people asked Allah's
Apostle about it. So Allah revealed the following Verse:--
"They ask your instruction (O Muhammad!) regarding women. Say: Allah instructs you
regarding them..." (4.127)
and in this Verse Allah indicated that if the orphan girl was beautiful and wealthy,
her guardian would have the desire to marry her without giving her an appropriate Mahr
equal to what her peers could get, but if she was undesirable for lack of beauty or
wealth, then he would not marry her, but seek to marry some other woman instead of her.
So, since he did not marry her when he had no inclination towards her, he had not the
right to marry her when he had an interest in her, unless he treated her justly by giving
her a full Mahr and securing all her rights.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 26:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
In the lifetime of Allah's Apostle , Umar gave in charity some of his property, a
garden of date-palms called Thamgh. 'Umar said, "O Allah's Apostle! I have some
property which I prize highly and I want to give it in charity." The Prophet; said,
"Give it in charity (i.e. as an endowment) with its land and trees on the condition
that the land and trees will neither be sold nor given as a present, nor bequeathed, but
the fruits are to be spent in charity." So 'Umar gave it in charity, and it was for
Allah's Cause, the emancipation of slaves, for the poor, for guests, for travelers, and
for kinsmen. The person acting as its administrator could eat from it reasonably and
fairly, and could let a friend of his eat from it provided he had no intention of becoming
wealthy by its means.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 27:
Narrated 'Aisha:
The following Verse:--
"If a guardian is well-off, let him claim no remuneration (i.e. wages), but if he
is poor, let him have for himself what is just and reasonable." (4.6)
was revealed in connection with the guardian of an orphan, and it means that if he is
poor he can have for himself (from the orphan's wealth) what is just and reasonable
according to the orphan's share of the inheritance.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 28:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." The people
enquire, "O Allah's Apostle! What are they? "He said, "To join others in
worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden
except for a just cause, (according to Islamic law), to eat up Riba (usury), to eat up an
orphan's wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of
fighting, and to accuse, chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity
and are good believers.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 29:
Narrated Anas:
When Allah's Apostle came to Medina; he did not have any servant. Abu Talha (Anas'
step-father) took me to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Anas is a wise
boy, so let him serve you." So, I served him at home and on journeys. If I did
anything, he never asked me why I did it, and if I refrained from doing anything, he never
asked me why I refrained from doing it.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 30:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Abu Talha had the greatest wealth of date-palms amongst the Ansar in Medina, and he
prized above all his wealth (his garden) Bairuha', which was situated opposite the Mosque
(of the Prophet ). The Prophet used to enter It and drink from its fresh water. When the
following Divine Verse came:--
"By no means shall you attain piety until you spend of what you love," (3.92)
Abu Talha got up saying. "O Allah's Apostle! Allah says, 'You will not attain
piety until you spend of what you love,' and I prize above al I my wealth, Bairuha' which
I want to give in charity for Allah's Sake, hoping for its reward from Allah. So you can
use it as Allah directs you." On that the Prophet said, "Bravo! It is a
profitable (or perishable) property. (Ibn Maslama is not sure as to which word is right,
i.e. profitable or perishable.) I have heard what you have said, and I recommend that you
distribute this amongst your relatives." On that Abu Talha said, "O Allah's
Apostle! I will do (as you have suggested)." So, Abu Talha distributed that garden
amongst his relatives and cousins.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 31:
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
A man said to Allah's Apostle , "My mother died, will it benefit her if I give in
charity on her behalf?" The Prophet replied in the affirmative. The man said, "I
have a garden and I make you a witness that I give it in charity on her behalf."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 32:
Narrated Anas:
When the Prophet ordered that the mosque be built, he said, "O Bani An-Najjar!
Suggest to me a price for this garden of yours." They replied, "By Allah! We
will demand its price from none but Allah."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 33:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
When 'Umar got a piece of land in Khaibar, he came to the Prophet saying, "I have
got a piece of land, better than which I have never got. So what do you advise me
regarding it?" The Prophet said, "If you wish you can keep it as an endowment to
be used for charitable purposes." So, 'Umar gave the land in charity (i.e. as an
endowments on the condition that the land would neither be sold nor given as a present,
nor bequeathed, (and its yield) would be used for the poor, the kinsmen, the emancipation
of slaves, Jihad, and for guests and travelers; and its administrator could eat in a
reasonable just manner, and he also could feed his friends without intending to be wealthy
by its means."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 34:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
Umar got some property in Khaibar and he came to the Prophet and informed him about it.
The Prophet said to him, "If you wish you can give it in charity." So 'Umar gave
it in charity (i.e. as an endowment) the yield of which was to be used for the good of the
poor, the needy, the kinsmen and the guests.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 35:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
When Allah's Apostle came to Medina, he ordered that a mosque be built. He said,
"O Bani An-Najjar! Suggest me a price for the garden of yours." They replied,
"By Allah, we will not ask its price except from Allah."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 36:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
Once 'Umar gave a horse in charity to be used in holy fighting. It had been given to
him by Allah's Apostle . 'Umar gave it to another man to ride. Then 'Umar was informed
that the man put the horse for sale, so he asked Allah's Apostle whether he could buy it.
Allah's Apostle replied, "You should not buy it, for you should not take back what
you have given in charity."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 37:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "My heirs will not inherit a Dinar or a Dirham (i.e. money),
for whatever I leave (excluding the adequate support of my wives and the wages of my
employees) is given in charity."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 38:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
When 'Umar founded an endowment he stipulated that its administrator could eat from it
and also feed his friend on the condition that he would not store anything for himself
from it.
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 39:
Narrated Anas:
The Prophet said (at the time of building the Mosque), "O Ban, An-Najjar! Suggest
to me a price for your garden." They replied, "We do not ask its price except
from Allah."
Volume 4, Book 51, Number 40:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah Al-Ansari:
My father was martyred on the day (of the Ghazwa) of Uhud and left six daughters and
some debts to be paid. When the time of plucking the date-fruits came, I went to Allah's
Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! you know that my father was martyred on Uhud's
day and owed much debt, and I wish that the creditors would see you." The Prophet
said, "Go and collect the various kinds of dates and place them separately in
heaps"' I did accordingly and called him. On seeing him, the creditors started
claiming their rights pressingly at that time. When the Prophet saw how they behaved, he
went round the biggest heap for three times and sat over it and said, "Call your
companions (i.e. the creditors)." Then he kept on measuring and giving them, till
Allah cleared all my father's debts. By Allah, it would have pleased me that Allah would
clear the debts of my father even though I had not taken a single date to my sisters. But
by Allah, all the heaps were complete, (as they were) and I looked at the heap where
Allah's Apostle was sitting and noticed as if not a single date had been taken thereof.
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