Thinking about the departure of a loved one back to Allah (SWT) is a challenging, emotional time. What’s more, sorting out wills in accordance to Islamic rules of inheritance can also be a daunting task.
Here at Islamic Relief, we’ve done all the hard work for you. You can access a free will writing service through us, so no need to worry.
An Islamic will is a legally-binding document that stipulates to whom a person will be leaving their assets (property, possessions, money) to upon their return to Allah (SWT). This is known as a bequest.
This will take into account two groups of people:
A will can also include bequests for charitable purposes.
Wasiyyah in Islam is the declaration a person makes whilst alive regarding their property and the arrangements according to Islamic law to be carried out after their death. This is akin to a “will” in British law.
In Islam, a will must be made by the person whist they are alive for the purposes of arranging their property and assets, after their death, for the benefit of others or for charitable purposes. It is believed that:
“It is the duty of a Muslim who has anything to bequeath not to let two nights pass without writing a will about it.” (Bukhari)
Therefore writing islamic wills is incredibly important in an Islamic context.
Whilst you can compile a will on your own, it is recommended that you consult a solicitor for legal advice and reassurance.
In order to create an Islamic will that is legal in the UK, you must meet the following conditions according to UK law:
For full legal guidance, we recommend you consult a solicitor. For Islamic guidelines, a scholar will be able to give Sharia-complaint advice.