The Book of Wills

It is the duty of a Muslim who has something which is to be given as a bequest not to have it for two nights without having his will written down regarding it.

مَا حَقُّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَهُ شَىْءٌ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُوصِيَ فِيهِ يَبِيتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ إِلاَّ وَوَصِيَّتُهُ مَكْتُوبَةٌ عِنْدَهُ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 27 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of 'Ubaidullah with the same chain of transmitters. but with a slight variation of words.

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي كِلاَهُمَا، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ…

A hadith like this have been narrated on the authority of Nafi', who based his narrations of the words of Ibn 'Umar but with a slight variation of words.

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كَامِلٍ الْجَحْدَرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ يَعْنِي ابْنَ زَيْدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ، حَرْبٍ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ عُلَيَّةَ - كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي…

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 27 other versions

It is not proper for a Muslim who has something to bequeath to stay for three nights without having his will written with him

"It is not proper for a Muslim who has something to bequeath to stay for three nights without having his will written with him." ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) said: "Since I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say this, not…

مَا حَقُّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَهُ شَىْءٌ يُوصِي فِيهِ يَبِيتُ ثَلاَثَ لَيَالٍ إِلاَّ وَوَصِيَّتُهُ عِنْدَهُ مَكْتُوبَةٌ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 27 other versions Explained

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، وَحَرْمَلَةُ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ شُعَيْبِ بْنِ اللَّيْثِ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ جَدِّي، حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ، ح…

+ 27 other versions

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) visited me in my illness which brought me near death in the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada' (Farewell Pilgrimage). I said: Allah's Messenger, you can well see the pain with which I am afflicted and I am a man possessing wealth, and there is none to inherit me except only one daughter…

عَادَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ مِنْ وَجَعٍ أَشْفَيْتُ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْمَوْتِ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بَلَغَنِي مَا تَرَى مِنَ الْوَجَعِ وَأَنَا ذُو مَالٍ وَلاَ يَرِثُنِي إِلاَّ…

Narrated by Sa‘d + 32 other versions

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters.

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَأَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، وَحَرْمَلَةُ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، ح…

+ 32 other versions

Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) visited me to inquire after my health, the rest of the hadith is the same as transmitted on the authority of Zuhri, but lie did not make mention of the words of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) in regard to Sa'd b. Khaula except this that he said:" He (the Holy Prophet) did not like death in…

وَحَدَّثَنِي إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ الْحَفَرِيُّ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ، إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ دَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَىَّ…

Narrated by Sa‘d

Permit me to give away my property as I like. He refused. I (again) said: (Permit me) to give away half. He (again refused). I (again said): Then one-third. He (the Holy Prophet) observed silence after (I had asked permission to give away) one-third. He (the narrater) said: It was then that…

دَعْنِي أَقْسِمْ مَالِي حَيْثُ شِئْتُ فَأَبَى ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَالنِّصْفُ فَأَبَى ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَالثُّلُثُ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ بَعْدَ الثُّلُثِ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَكَانَ بَعْدُ الثُّلُثُ جَائِزًا ‏.‏

Narrated by Sa‘d + 2 other versions

" It was then that one-third became permissible."

وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سِمَاكٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ فَكَانَ بَعْدُ الثُّلُثُ جَائِزًا…

+ 2 other versions

Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) visited me during my illness. I said: I am willing away the whole of my property. He said: No. I said: Then half? He said: No. I said: Should I will away one-third? He said: Yes, and even one-third is enough.

عَادَنِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ أُوصِي بِمَالِي كُلِّهِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَالنِّصْفُ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ أَبِالثُّلُثِ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ نَعَمْ وَالثُّلُثُ كَثِيرٌ ‏"

Narrated by Sa‘d

O Allah, cure Sa‘d, O Allah, cure Sa‘d

Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) visited me when I was ill and said: "O Allah, cure Sa‘d; O Allah, cure Sa‘d; O Allah, cure Sa‘d!"

دَخَلَ عَلَى سَعْدٍ يَعُودُهُ بِمَكَّةَ فَبَكَى قَالَ ‏"‏ مَا يُبْكِيكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ قَدْ خَشِيتُ أَنْ أَمُوتَ بِالأَرْضِ الَّتِي هَاجَرْتُ مِنْهَا كَمَا مَاتَ سَعْدُ ابْنُ خَوْلَةَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله…

Narrated by Sa‘d + 3 other versions Explained

They said: Sa'd fell ill in Mecca. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) visited him to inquire after his health. The rest of the hadith is the same.

وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ الْعَتَكِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحِمْيَرِيِّ، عَنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ، مِنْ وَلَدِ سَعْدٍ قَالُوا مَرِضَ…

+ 1 other version

Sa'd fell ill in Mecca and Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) visited him. The rest of the hadith is the same.

وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ، بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ حَدَّثَنِي ثَلاَثَةٌ، مِنْ وَلَدِ سَعْدِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ كُلُّهُمْ…

+ 1 other version

(I wish) if people would reduce from third to fourth (part for making a will of their property), for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: So far as the third (part) is concerned it is quite substantial. In the hadith transmitted on the authority of Waki (the words are)" large" or" much".

الثُّلُثُ وَالثُّلُثُ كَثِيرٌ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 2 other versions

My father died and left behind property without making any will regarding it. Would he be relieved of the burden of his sins if I give sadaqa on his behalf? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes.

رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ أَبِي مَاتَ وَتَرَكَ مَالاً وَلَمْ يُوصِ فَهَلْ يُكَفِّرُ عَنْهُ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهُ قَالَ ‏"‏ نَعَمْ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 3 other versions

My mother died all of a sudden, and I think if she (could have the opportunity) to speak she would have (made a will) regarding Sadaqa'. Will I be entitled to reward if I give charity on her behalf? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes.

رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ أُمِّيَ افْتُلِتَتْ نَفْسُهَا وَإِنِّي أَظُنُّهَا لَوْ تَكَلَّمَتْ تَصَدَّقَتْ فَلِيَ أَجْرٌ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهَا قَالَ ‏"‏ نَعَمْ ‏"

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 9 other versions

Allah's Messenger, my mother died all of a sudden without making any will. I think if (she could have the opportunity) to speak she would have made a Sadaqa. Would there be any reward for her if I give charity on her behalf? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes.

رَجُلاً، أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّيَ افْتُلِتَتْ نَفْسُهَا وَلَمْ تُوصِ وَأَظُنُّهَا لَوْ تَكَلَّمَتْ تَصَدَّقَتْ أَفَلَهَا أَجْرٌ إِنْ تَصَدَّقْتُ عَنْهَا قَالَ ‏"‏…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 9 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Hisham b. 'Urwa with the same chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي الْحَكَمُ بْنُ مُوسَى، حَدَّثَنَا شُعَيْبُ، بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي أُمَيَّةُ بْنُ بِسْطَامَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ زُرَيْعٍ…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 9 other versions

When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a pious child who supplicates for him

"When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a pious child who supplicates for him."

إِذَا مَاتَ الإِنْسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ إِلاَّ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 10 other versions Explained

O Messenger of Allah, I have acquired a piece of land in Khaybar, and I have never acquired a property more precious to me than that. What do you command me to do with it? He said: If you wish you can keep its origin as an endowment, and give its yield in charity

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: ‘Umar acquired a piece of land in Khaybar, so he came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to know what he should do with it. He said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have acquired a piece of land in Khaybar, and I have…

إِنْ شِئْتَ حَبَسْتَ أَصْلَهَا وَتَصَدَّقْتَ بِهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَتَصَدَّقَ بِهَا عُمَرُ أَنَّهُ لاَ يُبَاعُ أَصْلُهَا وَلاَ يُبْتَاعُ وَلاَ يُورَثُ وَلاَ يُوهَبُ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَتَصَدَّقَ عُمَرُ فِي الْفُقَرَاءِ وَفِي…

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 13 other versions Explained

" Or he may feed the friend withoiut hoarding from it" and he made no mention of what follows.

حَدَّثَنَاهُ أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَزْهَرُ السَّمَّانُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ…

I acquired land from the lands of Khaibar. I came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: I have acquired a piece of land. Never have I acquired land more loved by me and more cherished by me than this. The rest of the hadith is the same, but he made no mention of this:" I narrated it to Muhammad" and…

وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ الْحَفَرِيُّ، عُمَرُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَوْنٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ عُمَرَ، قَالَ أَصَبْتُ أَرْضًا مِنْ أَرْضِ…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb

I asked 'Abdullah b. Abu Aufa whether Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had made any will (in regard to his property). He said: NO. I said: Then why has making of will been made necessary for the Muslims, or why were they commanded to make will? Thereupon he said: He made the will according to the Book of…

هَلْ أَوْصَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ فَلِمَ كُتِبَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الْوَصِيَّةُ أَوْ فَلِمَ أُمِرُوا بِالْوَصِيَّةِ قَالَ أَوْصَى بِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ‏.‏

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn Abi Awfa

How the people have been ordered about the will" ; and in the hadith of Ibn Numair (the words are):" How the will has been prescribed for the Muslims, '.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ مِغْوَلٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ ‏.‏ مِثْلَهُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ فِي حَدِيثِ…

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) left neither dinar nor dirham (wealth in the form of cash), nor goats (and sheep), nor camels. And he made no will about anything (in regard to his material possessions, as he had none),

مَا تَرَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم دِينَارًا وَلاَ دِرْهَمًا وَلاَ شَاةً وَلاَ بَعِيرًا وَلاَ أَوْصَى بِشَىْءٍ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 11 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of A'mash with the same chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَعُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ جَرِيرٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَشْرَمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عِيسَى، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ يُونُسَ - جَمِيعًا عَنِ…

+ 11 other versions

It was mentioned before A'isha that will had been made (by the Holy Prophet) in favour of 'Ali (as the Prophet's first caliph), whereupon she said: When did he make will in his favour? I had been providing support to him (to the Holy Prophet) with my chest (or with my lap). He asked for a tray…

ذَكَرُوا عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّ عَلِيًّا كَانَ وَصِيًّا فَقَالَتْ مَتَى أَوْصَى إِلَيْهِ فَقَدْ كُنْتُ مُسْنِدَتَهُ إِلَى صَدْرِي - أَوْ قَالَتْ حَجْرِي - فَدَعَا بِالطَّسْتِ فَلَقَدِ انْخَنَثَ فِي حَجْرِي وَمَا…

Narrated by Ā’ishah + 3 other versions

Thursday, (and then said): What is this Thursday? He then wept so much that his tears moistened the pebbles. I said: Ibn 'Abbas, what is (significant) about Thursday? He (Ibn 'Abbas) said: The illness of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took a serious turn (on this day), and he said: Come to me, so that I…

ائْتُونِي أَكْتُبْ لَكُمْ كِتَابًا لاَ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدِي ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَتَنَازَعُوا وَمَا يَنْبَغِي عِنْدَ نَبِيٍّ تَنَازُعٌ ‏.‏ وَقَالُوا مَا شَأْنُهُ أَهَجَرَ اسْتَفْهِمُوهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ دَعُونِي فَالَّذِي أَنَا فِيهِ…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 7 other versions

Thursday, and what about Thursday? Then tears began to flow until I saw them on his cheeks as it they were the strings of pearls. He (the narrator) said that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Bring me a shoulder blade and ink-pot (or tablet and inkpot), so that I write for you a document (by following…

ائْتُونِي بِالْكَتِفِ وَالدَّوَاةِ - أَوِ اللَّوْحِ وَالدَّوَاةِ - أَكْتُبْ لَكُمْ كِتَابًا لَنْ تَضِلُّوا بَعْدَهُ أَبَدًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالُوا إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَهْجُرُ ‏.‏

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 1 other version

When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was about to leave this world, there were persons (around him) in his house, 'Umar b. al-Kbattab being one of them. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: Come, I may write for you a document; you would not go astray after that. Thereupon Umar said: Verily Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is…

هَلُمَّ أَكْتُبْ لَكُمْ كِتَابًا لاَ تَضِلُّونَ بَعْدَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ غَلَبَ عَلَيْهِ الْوَجَعُ وَعِنْدَكُمُ الْقُرْآنُ حَسْبُنَا كِتَابُ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ فَاخْتَلَفَ…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 5 other versions