Chapter on the Obligation of Returning a Bequest to What is Proper and What the Deceased is Entitled to From His Wealth

Hadith.5425 - Aṣim ibn Humayd narrated from Muhammad ibn Qays from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), who said: "The Commander of the Faithful (as) ruled regarding a man who passed away and had bequeathed all of his wealth or most of it. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: 'The will is to be adjusted to what is customary, and the rightful inheritance must be left for the heirs.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.5426 - Ibn Abi Umayr narrated from Murazim from Ammar Al-Sabaṭi from Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as), who said: "The deceased has the most right over his wealth as long as his soul remains in him and he can express himself." Imam (as) then said: "But if he exceeds (in his bequest), he is entitled only to one-third."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.5427 - Harun ibn Muslim narrated from Masadah ibn Ṣadaqah Al-Rabii from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) from his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), who said: "A man from the Ansar passed away, leaving behind young children. He had six slaves and no wealth other than them. At the time of his death, he freed all of them. When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) was informed of this, He (sw) said: 'What did you do with your companion?' They replied: 'We buried him.' Prophet (sw) said: 'Had I known before, I would not have allowed him to be buried among the Muslims. He (the deceased) left his children to beg from the people.'"

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.5428 - Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr narrated from Muawiyah ibn Ammar from Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as), who said: "Al-Bara' ibn Marur Al-Ansari was in Medina while the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) was in Mecca. When death approached him (Al-Bara'), and while the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) and the Muslims were still praying towards Bayt Al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), Al-Bara' ibn Marur instructed that his face be turned towards the direction of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), towards the Kabah. He also bequeathed one-third of his wealth. Thus, this practice became a Sunnah (established tradition)."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.5429 - It is narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Ahmad ibn Ishaq that he wrote to Abu Al-Hasan (as), informing him: "Durrah bint Muqatil has passed away and left behind an estate consisting of portions in a certain place. She bequeathed more than one-third of her estate to our master, and we are her executors. We wished to inform our master about this matter. If you command us to carry out the will as it is, we will do so. But if you command otherwise, we will adhere to your instruction in all that you command us, God willing." So Abu Al-Hasan (as) replied in his own handwriting: "She is entitled to only one-third of her estate. However, if you, as the heirs, choose to be generous, it is permissible for you, God willing."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.