Chapter on the Formulation of the Bequest

Hadith.5431 - Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim narrated from Ali ibn Ishaq, from Al-Hasan ibn Hazim Al-Kalbi, the nephew of Hisham ibn Salim, from Sulayman ibn Ja'far (who was not from the Ja'fari lineage), from Abu Abdullah (as), who said: The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) said: "Whoever does not make a proper will at the time of death, it is a deficiency in his dignity and intellect." It was asked: "O' Messenger of Allah (swt), how does a dying person make a will?" Prophet (sw) replied: "When his death approaches and people gather around him, he should say: "O' Allah (swt), Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. O' Allah (swt), I make a covenant with You (swt) in this worldly life that I bear witness there is no God but You (swt), alone with no partner. And that Muhammad (sw) is Your (swt) servant and Your Messenger (sw). Paradise is true, Hellfire is true, resurrection is true, reckoning is true, the path (Sirat) is true, divine decree and the scale (Mizan) are true. Indeed, the religion is as You (swt) have described, Islam is as You (swt) have legislated, the word is as You (swt) have conveyed, and the Qur'an is as You (swt) have revealed. And You (swt) are Allah (swt), the True and Manifest. May Allah (swt) reward Muhammad (sw) on our behalf with the best reward, and may Allah (swt) send peace upon Muhammad (sw) and the family of Muhammad (sw). O' Allah (swt), You (swt) are my refuge in my hardship, my companion in my difficulty, and the guardian of my blessings. My God (swt) and the God (swt) of my forefathers, do not leave me to myself for the blink of an eye, for if You (swt) abandon me to myself, I will be closer to evil and farther from good. Bring comfort to my loneliness in the grave, and grant me a written covenant on the Day I meet You (swt). Then he should state his wishes (in his will). The confirmation of this will is found in the Quran, in the chapter where Maryam {s.a} is mentioned, in the words of Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic: "They do not possess [the right of] intercession except for those who have taken a covenant with the Most Merciful." (Surah Maryam 19:87) This is the covenant of the dying person, and making a will is an obligation upon every Muslim. It is a duty to preserve this will and to teach it to others. Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "The Messenger of Allah (swt), peace be upon him and his family, taught it to me." And the Messenger of Allah (swt), said: "Jibril (as) taught it to me (from Allah (swt))."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.5432 - Al-Husayn ibn Saʿid narrated that Al-Husayn ibn Ulwan reported from Amr ibn Thabit from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), who said: The Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) said to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as): "O' Ali (as), I advise you regarding certain traits concerning yourself, so preserve them." Then Prophet (sw) said: "O' Allah (swt), assist him! Seek truthfulness - never let a lie leave your mouth. And seek Piety - never allow yourself to commit a betrayal. And seek Fear of Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic - as if you see Him (swt). And seek Abundant weeping from the fear of Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic - for every tear shed, a house will be built for you in Paradise. And seek Sacrificing your wealth and blood in defense of your religion. And seek Adhering to my tradition in prayer, fasting, and charity. As for prayer, it is fifty rak'ahs. As for fasting, it is three days in every month; a Thursday at the beginning (of the month), a Wednesday in the middle, and a Thursday at the end (of the month). As for charity, it should be given to your utmost ability until you say, 'I have gone to excess,' though you will not have gone to excess. You must uphold the night prayer, you must uphold the night prayer, you must uphold the night prayer. You must uphold the midday prayer (Salat Al-Zawal). You must recite the Quran in all conditions. You must raise your hands in prayer and move them in supplication. You must use the siwak (tooth-stick) before every ablution and before every prayer. You must adopt good morals - embrace them. You must avoid bad morals - stay away from them. If you fail to do so, then blame none but yourself."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

Hadith.5433 - It is narrated from Sulaym ibn Qays Al-Hilali who said: "I witnessed the will of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) when he appointed his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali (as) as his successor and made Imam Hussain ibn Ali (as), Muhammad (Hanafiya), all of his children, the prominent members of his household, and his followers (Shi'a) witnesses to his will. Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) handed over to him (Imam Hasan ibn Ali (as)) the book and the weapon, and Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: 'O' my son, the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) commanded me to appoint you as my successor and to hand over to you my books and my weapon, just as he appointed me and handed over his books and his weapon to me. He (sw) also commanded me to instruct you that when death approaches you, you should hand them over to your brother Al- Hussain (as).' Then he turned to his son Imam Hussain ibn Ali (as) and said: 'And the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) commanded you to hand it over to your son Ali ibn Al- Hussain (as).' Then he turned to his son Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) and said: 'And the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) commanded you to hand your will over to your son Muhammad ibn Ali (as). Convey to him the greetings of peace from the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) and from me.' Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) turned to his son Imam Hasan ibn Ali (as) and said: 'O' my son, you are the guardian of the matter and the avenger of the blood. If you forgive, it is your right, and if you choose to retaliate, then strike only as you were struck, and do not transgress.' Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: 'Write: In the name of Allah (swt), the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. This is what Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) bequeathed. He (as) bears witness that there is no God but Allah (swt), alone without partner, and that Muhammad (sw) is His (swt) servant and Messenger, whom He (swt) sent with guidance and the religion of truth so that He (swt) may make it prevail over all religions, even if the polytheists dislike it." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) continued: "Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah (swt), the Lord (azj) of the worlds. He (swt) has no partner, and with this I have been commanded, and I am among the Muslims." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) said: "I advise you, O' Hasan (as), and all of my children, my household, and everyone who receives this letter from among the believers to fear Allah (swt), your Lord (azj), and do not die except while you are Muslims.' And hold firmly to the rope of Allah (swt) all together and do not become divided. Remember Allah's (swt) favor upon you when you were enemies, and He (swt) brought your hearts together.' Indeed, I heard the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) say: Reconciliation between people is better than most prayers and fasting.' Hatred destroys religion, and corruption between people is destructive. There is no power except with Allah (swt).' Take care of your relatives and maintain ties with them, for Allah (swt) will make your reckoning easier. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of orphans - do not let their mouths hunger, and do not let them be neglected in your presence. For I heard the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) say: 'Whoever takes care of an orphan until they become self-sufficient, Allah (swt) will make Paradise obligatory for them, just as He (swt) has made the Fire obligatory for one who consumes the property of an orphan.'" Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) continued: "By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of the Qur'an. Let no one surpass you in acting upon it. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of your neighbours, for Allah (swt) and His Messenger have both advised concerning them. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of the House of your Lord (azj). Do not let it be abandoned as long as you live, for if it is neglected, you will be forsaken. The least reward one receives upon visiting it is that past sins are forgiven. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of prayer, for it is the best of deeds and the pillar of your religion. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of zakat, for it extinguishes the anger of your Lord (azj). By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of fasting during the month of Ramadan, for fasting is a shield against the Fire. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of the poor and the needy. Include them in your livelihood. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of jihad in the way of Allah (swt) with your wealth and your lives. Indeed, the one who truly strives in the way of Allah (swt) is either a guiding leader or one who obeys him and follows his guidance. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of the progeny of your Prophet (sw). Do not let them be wronged while they are among you and you have the power to defend them. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of the companions of your Prophet (sw) - those who did not commit innovations and did not support innovators. For the Messenger of Allah (swt) (peace be upon him and his family) advised regarding them and cursed the one who innovates among them or others and those who support innovators. By Allah (swt), by Allah (swt), be mindful of women and those whom your right hands possess. Do not fear the blame of the blamers when it comes to Allah (swt). Allah (swt) will suffice you against those who wish you harm and plot against you. Speak kindly to people' as Allah (swt), the Exalted, has commanded you. Do not neglect enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, lest Allah (swt) gives authority to the worst among you. Then you will pray, and your prayers will not be answered. O' my children! Maintain ties with one another, be generous to one another, and be kind to each other. Beware of severing ties, turning your backs on one another, and division. Cooperate in righteousness and piety, and do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah (swt); indeed, Allah (swt) is severe in punishment.' May Allah (swt) protect you, O' people of my household, and preserve through you your Prophet (sw). I entrust you to Allah (swt) and convey my peace upon you." Then Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as) continued to say: "There is no God but Allah (swt)," until he passed away - peace and blessings be upon him - in the early night of the last ten nights, on the twenty-first night of the month of Ramadan, on a Friday night, in the fortieth year after the Hijrah.

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.