Death & Bereavement

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لآِخَرَ وَ الْمُوصَى لَهُ غَائِبٌ فَتُوُفِّيَ الَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ قَبْلَ الْمُوصِي قَالَ الْوَصِيَّةُ لِوَارِثِ الَّذِي أُوْصِيَ لَهُ قَالَ وَ مَنْ أَوْصَى لِأَحَدٍ شَاهِداً كَانَ أَوْ غَائِباً فَتُوُفِّيَ الْمُوصَى لَهُ قَبْلَ الْمُوصِي فَالْوَصِيَّةُ لِوَارِثِ الَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ‌[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin once issued a judgment, about the case of a man who made a will and the beneficiary who was absent, died before the testator, that the benefit belongs to the heir of the beneficiary.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If one makes a will, regardless of his absence or presence, if

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُعْطِيَ عَمّاً لَهُ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ شَيْئاً فَمَاتَ الْعَمُّ فَكَتَبَ ع أَعْطِهِ وَرَثَتَهُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who made a will that said I must give something to his uncle every year, but the uncle has died. He (the Imam) (a.s.), wrote, ‘You must give it to his heirs.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أُوْصِيَ لَهُ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَمَاتَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْبِضَهَا وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ عَقِباً قَالَ اطْلُبْ لَهُ وَارِثاً أَوْ مَوْلًى فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَعْلَمْ لَهُ وَلِيّاً قَالَ اجْهَدْ عَلَى أَنْ تَقْدِرَ لَهُ عَلَى وَلِيٍّ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْهُ وَ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْكَ الْجِدَّ فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهَا[2].

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of man in whose favor a will is made but he dies before taking possession and has not left any heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must search for his heirs or master then give it to him.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if I cannot find any guardian for him?’ He (the Imam) s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِمَالِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِ لِمَنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ‌ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will to spend his assets in the way of Allah. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must give it to the designated beneficiary even if he is a Christian or a Jew; Allah, most Blessed, most High, says, “Whoever intentionally changes the will of a deceased p

أَعْطِ لِمَنْ أَوْصَى لَهُ بِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ‌.

“This is about the case of a man who has made a will to spend his asset in the way of Allah. One of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘You must give it to the designated beneficiary even if he is a Christian or a Jew; Allah, most Blessed, most High, says, “Whoever intentionally

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى جَعْفَرٍ وَ مُوسَى وَ فِيمَا أَمَرْتُكُمَا مِنَ الْإِشْهَادِ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا نَجَاةٌ لَكُمَا فِي آخِرَتِكُمَا وَ إِنْفَاذٌ لِمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ أَبَوَاكُمَا وَ بِرٌّ مِنْكُمَا لَهُمَا وَ احْذَرَا أَنْ لَا تَكُونَا بَدَّلْتُمَا وَصِيَّتَهُمَا وَ لَا غَيَّرْتُمَاهَا عَنْ حَالِهَا لِأَنَّهُمَا قَدْ خَرَجَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا وَ صَارَ ذَلِكَ فِي رِقَابِكُمَا وَ قَدْ قَالَ ال

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Mahziyar from who has narrated the following: “Abu Ja‘far, Alayhi al-Salam, wrote to Ja‘far and Musa, this instruction. ‘In the matter of my commanding you to appoint witnesses to so and so issues; it is because it is for your safety and protectio

أَنَّ رَجُلًا كَانَ بِهَمَذَانَ ذَكَرَ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ مَاتَ وَ كَانَ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَأَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُعْطَى شَيْ‌ءٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَسُئِلَ عَنْهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ يُفْعَلُ بِهِ فَأَخْبَرْنَاهُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ فَقَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ أَنْ أَضَعَ فِي يَهُودِيٍّ أَوْ نَصْرَانِيٍّ لَوَضَعْتُهُ فِيهِمَا إِن

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has narrated the following: “A man of Hamadan has said that his father died but he did not know this fact (the Divine Authority of A’immah). He made a will when he was about to die to give something in the w

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ بِمَالٍ أَنْ يُجْعَلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقِيلَ لَهَا نَحُجُّ بِهِ فَقَالَتِ اجْعَلْهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالُوا لَهَا فَنُعْطِيهِ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ ع قَالَتِ اجْعَلْهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اجْعَلْهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَا أَمَرَتْ قُلْتُ مُرْنِي كَيْفَ أَجْعَلُهُ قَالَ اجْعَلْهُ كَمَا أَمَرَتْكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ-

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who made a will to spend in the way of Allah. She was asked if it could be spent for al-Hajj. She said, ’Spend it in the way of Allah.’ They asked, ‘Can we give to the family of Muhammad (SAW) ?’ She said, ‘Spend it in the way of Allah.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, Al

كَتَبَ الْخَلِيلُ بْنُ هَاشِمٍ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَ هُوَ وَالِي نَيْسَابُورَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمَجُوسِ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى لِلْفُقَرَاءِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَأَخَذَهُ قَاضِي نَيْسَابُورَ فَجَعَلَهُ فِي فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَكَتَبَ الْخَلِيلُ إِلَى ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ بِذَلِكَ فَسَأَلَ الْمَأْمُونَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي فِي ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَسَأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَس

“Once, Khalil ibn Hashim wrote to Dhi al-Riyasatayn who was the governor of Nisabur and asked that a Zoroastrian man has died and has made a will about a certain amount from his assets for the poor. The judge of Nisabur took the amount and gave it to the poor Muslims. Dhu al-Riyasatayn asked Ma’mun about it. Ma’mun who

أَوْصَتْ مَارِدَةُ لِقَوْمٍ نَصَارَى فَرَّاشِينَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا اقْسِمْ هَذَا فِي فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[2] مِنْ أَصْحَابِكَ فَسَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ أُخْتِي أَوْصَتْ بِوَصِيَّةٍ لِقَوْمٍ نَصَارَى وَ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْرِفَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْمٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مُسْلِمِينَ فَقَالَ أَمْضِ الْوَصِيَّةَ عَلَى مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى

“Maridah made a will for the Christians who worked as maintenance people. Our people said to spend it on the poor believers of your people. I then asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), that my sister has made a will for Christian persons and I wanted to spend it for our Muslim people. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must execute the will as

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَأَعْتَقَ مَمْلُوكَهُ وَ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَكَانَ أَكْثَرَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ قَالَ يُمْضَى عِتْقُ الْغُلَامِ وَ يَكُونُ النُّقْصَانُ فِيمَا بَقِيَ.

“About the case of a man who when about to die sets free his slave and makes a will but the total is more than one-third of his legacy, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is executed about the setting free of the slave and the deficit falls on the rest of the will.’”

سَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ لَمْ تَحُجَّ فَأَوْصَتْ أَنْ يُنْظَرَ قَدْرُ مَا يُحَجُّ بِهِ فَسُئِلَ عَنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَمْثَلَ أَنْ يُوضَعَ فِي فُقَرَاءِ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ وُضِعَ فِيهِمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ‌ الْحَجُّ 5 أَمْثَلَ حُجَّ عَنْهَا فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنْ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهَا حَجَّةٌ مَفْرُوضَةٌ فَأَنْ يُنْفَقَ مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ فِي الْحَجِّ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُقْسَمَ فِي غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man once asked me about a woman who died without performing al-Hajj but made a will about an amount which is sufficient for al-Hajj. He asked if it is better to spend it on the needy people from the descendents of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, it will be done so; if performing al-Hajj

أَنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ سِتِّينَ مَمْلُوكاً فَأَعْتَقَ ثُلُثَهُمْ فَأَقْرَعْتُ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ أَخْرَجْتُ الثُّلُثَ.

“The Shaykh (a.s.), has said that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), died and left sixty slaves of whom he set free one-third and I determined such slaves by raffle and took the one-third away.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُعْتَقَ عَنْهُ نَسَمَةٌ بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ فَاشْتُرِيَ نَسَمَةٌ بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ فَضَلَتْ فَضْلَةٌ فَمَا تَرَى قَالَ تُدْفَعُ الْفَضْلَةُ إِلَى النَّسَمَةِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُعْتَقَ ثُمَّ تُعْتَقُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made a will to set free a slave for five hundred dirham from the one-third of his legacy. A slave was bought for less than five hundred dirham and something remained extra. What do you say about it? He (the Imam) said, ‘Give the extra to the slave before

أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِي بِثُلُثِ مَالِهَا وَ أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُعْتَقَ وَ يُحَجَّ وَ يُتَصَدَّقَ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ ذَلِكَ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ تَجْعَلُ أَثْلَاثاً ثُلُثاً فِي الْعِتْقِ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الْحَجِّ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ أَهْلِي مَاتَتْ وَ أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ بِثُلُثِ مَالِهَا وَ أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُعْتَقَ ع

“A woman of our family made a will about one-third of her legacy and asked to set free a slave, perform al-Hajj and give charity; but the one-third was not sufficient. I asked abu Hanifah about it and he said, ’Make it in three equal parts and spend one part for each cause/ I then visited abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), and sa

فِي رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ أَعْتِقْ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً فَنَظَرْتُ فِي ثُلُثِهِ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ أَثْمَانَ قِيمَةِ الْمَمَالِيكِ الْخَمْسَةِ الَّتِي أَمَرَ بِعِتْقِهِمْ قَالَ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى الَّذِينَ سَمَّاهُمْ وَ يُبْدَأُ بِعِتْقِهِمْ فَيُقَوَّمُونَ وَ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى ثُلُثِهِ فَيُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ أَوَّلُ شَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ الثَّانِي ثُمَّ الثَّالِثُ ثُمَّ الرَّابِعُ ثُمَّ الْخَامِ

“About the case of a man who at the time of his death makes a will to set free a slave so and so and so and so. I looked into the one-third of his legacy and found that it is not even equal to one-eighth of the five slaves whom he had mentioned, he (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘You must evaluate the slaves and begin settin

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ‌ قَالَ نَسَخَتْهَا[2] الْآيَةُ الَّتِي بَعْدَهَا قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَمَنْ خافَ مِنْ مُوصٍ جَنَفاً أَوْ إِثْماً فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَلا إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ‌ قَالَ يَعْنِي الْمُوصَى إِلَيْهِ إِنْ خَافَ جَنَفاً مِنَ الْمُوصِي فِيمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Whoever intentionally changes the will of a deceased person, has committed a sin. Allah is All-hearing and All-knowing. 5 (2:181) He (the Imam) said, ‘The following verse is a (modified) copy of this verse: ‘One who

أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ بِتَرِكَتِهِ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَحُجَّ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَنَظَرْتُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا شَيْ‌ءٌ يَسِيرٌ لَا يَكْفِي لِلْحَجِّ فَسَأَلْتُ أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ وَ فُقَهَاءَ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالُوا تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَلَمَّا حَجَجْتُ لَقِيتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْحَسَنِ فِي الطَّوَافِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى بِتَرِكَتِهِ إِ

“A man made a will and asked me to pay for al-Hajj from his legacy, but when I examined his legacy it was not sufficient. I then asked abu Hanifah and the jurists of al-Kufah. They said that I must give as charity on his behalf. When I performed al-Hajj, I met ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hassan during tawaf. I asked him, saying,

سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِحَجَّةٍ فَجَعَلَهَا وَصِيُّهُ فِي نَسَمَةٍ فَقَالَ يَغْرَمُهَا وَصِيُّهُ وَ يَجْعَلُهَا فِي حَجَّةٍ كَمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ‌.

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who made a will for al- Hajj but the executor of his will spent it to set free an enslaved soul. He (the Imam) said, ‘The executor of the will is responsible to pay for his al-Hajj as the will required. Allah, most Blessed, most High, has said, ‘Whoever int

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ عَنْهُ نَسَمَةً بِسِتِّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ فَانْطَلَقَ الْوَصِيُّ فَأَعْطَى السِّتَّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ رَجُلًا يَحُجُّ بِهَا عَنْهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنْ يَغْرَمَ الْوَصِيُّ مِنْ مَالِهِ سِتَّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ يَجْعَلَ السِّتَّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فِيمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ الْمَيِّتُ مِنْ نَسَمَةٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who made a will to set free a slave for six hundred dirham but the executor of his will gave six hundred dirham to perform al-Hajj for the deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘As I see the executor of the will must pay six hundred dirham from his own assets to set

الْمُدَبَّرُ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ.

“One of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘ Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘Al-Mudabbar is from one-third of the legacy.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُدَبِّرُ مَمْلُوكَهُ أَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِيهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَصِيَّةِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes his slave a Mudabbar; if he can change such decision. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so because it is like the will.’”

الْمُدَبَّرُ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ قَالَ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِي ثُلُثِهِ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى فِي صِحَّةٍ أَوْ مَرَضٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Mudabbar is from one-third of the legacy.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘One can change his will about one-third of his legacy regardless of whether one is ill or in good health.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمُدَبَّرِ قَالَ هُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَصِيَّةِ يَرْجِعُ فِيمَا شَاءَ مِنْهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Mudabbar. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is like will which one can change in whatever way one likes.’”

كُنَّا عَلَى بَابِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ نَحْنُ جَمَاعَةٌ نَنْتَظِرُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ إِذْ جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةٌ فَقَالَتْ أَيُّكُمْ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ فَقَالَ لَهَا الْقَوْمُ مَا تُرِيدِينَ مِنْهُ قَالَتْ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَقَالُوا لَهَا هَذَا فَقِيهُ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ فَسَلِيهِ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ زَوْجِي مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ وَ كَانَ لِي عَلَيْهِ مِنْ صَدَاقِي خَمْسُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَخَذْتُ صَد

“Once we were with abu Ja‘far (a.s.). We were in a group waiting for him (the Imam) to come out. A woman came and asked, ‘Which one of you is abu Ja‘far?’ The people asked, ‘What for are you asking for him?’ She replied, ‘I want to ask him about an issue.’ They said, ‘This is the jurist of the people of Iraq. You can a

إِذَا رَضِيَ الْغُرَمَاءُ فَقَدْ بَرِئَتْ ذِمَّةُ الْمَيِّتِ.

“About the case of a man who dies with debts on him and a guarantor takes responsibility to pay the creditors, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the creditors agree, the deceased becomes free from responsibility.”’

سَأَلَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ يَخْتَلِفُ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى وَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّهُ مَاتَ مَوْلًى لِعِيسَى بْنِ مُوسَى وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً كَثِيراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ يُحِيطُ دَيْنُهُ بِأَثْمَانِهِمْ فَأَعْتَقَهُمْ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ فَسَأَلَهُمَا عِيسَى بْنُ مُوسَى عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ أَرَى أَنْ يَسْتَسْعِيَهُمْ فِي قِيمَتِهِمْ فَيَدْفَعَهَا إِلَى الْغُرَمَاءِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once asked me, ‘Is there a difference between ibn abu Layla’ and ibn Shubramah?’ I replied, ‘It has come to my knowledge that a Maxvla of ‘Isa ibn Musa died with a great deal of debts on him. He possessed a number of slaves whom he set free at the time of his death. Had the slaves been sold, suc

إِنْ كَانَ قِيمَتُهُ مِثْلَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ وَ مِثْلَهُ جَازَ عِتْقُهُ وَ إِلَّا لَمْ يَجُزْ[3].

“About the case of a man who frees his slave at the time of his death with debt on him, one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘If the value of the debt and slave are equal, freeing is permissible, otherwise, it is not permissible.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِي رَجُلٍ أَعْتَقَ مَمْلُوكاً لَهُ وَ قَدْ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ وَ أَشْهَدَ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ وَ قِيمَتُهُ سِتُّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكْ شَيْئاً غَيْرَهُ قَالَ يُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ سُدُسُهُ لِأَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا لَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ يُقْضَى مِنْهُ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَلَهُ مِنَ الثَّلَاثِمِائَةٍ ثُلُثُهَا وَ هُوَ السُّدُ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from al-Husayn Aban al-Jahm who has narrated the following: “This is about the case of a man who frees his slave at the time of his death in front of witnesses. The price of the slave is six hundred dirham, his debt is three hundred dir

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْغُلَامَ إِذَا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَأَوْصَى وَ لَمْ يُدْرِكْ جَازَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ لِذَوِي الْأَرْحَامِ وَ لَمْ تَجُزْ لِلْغُرَبَاءِ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘When a boy is about to die his will is permissible in favor of the relatives but not in favor of the strangers.’”

نَسَخْتُ مِنْ كِتَابٍ بِخَطِّ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فُلَانٌ مَوْلَاكَ تُوُفِّيَ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ وَ تَرَكَ أُمَّ وَلَدٍ لَهُ لَيْسَ لَهَا وَلَدٌ فَأَوْصَى لَهَا بِأَلْفٍ هَلْ تَجُوزُ الْوَصِيَّةُ وَ هَلْ يَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا عِتْقٌ وَ مَا حَالُهَا رَأْيُكَ فَدَتْكَ نَفْسِي فَكَتَبَ ع تُعْتَقُ فِي الثُّلُثِ وَ لَهَا الْوَصِيَّةُ.

“I once copied the following from a book with the handwriting of abu al-Hassan (a.s.). It said, ’So and so, your Maxvla’ (friend), has died leaving behind a son of his brother, a mother of his child who does not have a child but he has assigned in his will one thousand for her; if such will is lawful and if freedom app

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ فِي رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ لَهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ وَ قَدْ جَعَلَ لَهَا شَيْئاً فِي حَيَاتِهِ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَالَ فَكَتَبَ لَهَا مَا أَثَابَهَا بِهِ سَيِّدُهَا فِي حَيَاتِهِ مَعْرُوفٌ ذَلِكَ لَهَا تُقْبَلُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ شَهَادَةُ الرَّجُلِ وَ الْمَرْأَةِ وَ الْخَادِمِ غَيْرِ الْمُتَّهَمِينَ.

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan, before this abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who died and left behind a mother of child for whom he willed something in his lifetime, then died. He (the Imam) wrote, ‘She can have what her master had given her in his lifetime in an acceptable manner. The testimony of both ma

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ أُمُّ وَلَدٍ وَ لَهُ مِنْهَا غُلَامٌ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ أَوْصَى لَهَا بِأَلْفَيْ دِرْهَمٍ أَوْ بِأَكْثَرَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ أَنْ يَسْتَرِقُّوهَا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ تُعْتَقُ مِنْ ثُلُثِ الْمَيِّتِ وَ تُعْطَى مَا أَوْصَى لَهَا بِهِ. وَ- فِي كِتَابِ الْعَبَّاسِ‌ تُعْتَقُ مِنْ نَصِيبِ ابْنِهَا وَ تُعْطَى مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ مَا أَوْصَى لَهَا بِهِ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had a mother of a child from whom he had a boy; and at the time of his death, willed for her two thousand or more; if the heirs can keep her as a slave-girl. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, they cannot keep her as a slave. She becomes free in one-third of the le

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ أُمِّي تَصَدَّقَتْ عَلَيَّ بِدَارٍ لَهَا أَوْ قَالَ بِنَصِيبٍ لَهَا فِي دَارٍ فَقَالَتْ لِيَ اسْتَوْثِقْ لِنَفْسِكَ‌[1] فَكَتَبْتُ عَلَيْهَا أَنِّي اشْتَرَيْتُ وَ أَنَّهَا قَدْ بَاعَتْنِي وَ قَبَضَتِ الثَّمَنَ فَلَمَّا مَاتَتْ قَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ احْلِفْ أَنَّكَ اشْتَرَيْتَ وَ نَقَدْتَ الثَّمَنَ فَإِنْ حَلَفْتُ لَهُمْ أَخَذْتُهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ أَحْلِفْ لَهُمْ لَمْ يُعْطُونِي شَيْئاً قَالَ

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), that my mother gave me the house that belonged to her - or he said her share in a house - and told me to register it in my name. I then wrote that I have bought it from her. She has sold it to me and has received the payment. When she died, the heirs asked me to take an oath that I

كُنْتُ شَاهِدَ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى فَقَضَى فِي رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ لِبَعْضِ قَرَابَتِهِ غَلَّةَ دَارِهِ وَ لَمْ يُوَقِّتْ وَقْتاً فَمَاتَ الرَّجُلُ فَحَضَرَ وَرَثَتُهُ ابْنَ أَبِي لَيْلَى وَ حَضَرَ قَرَابَتُهُ الَّذِي جُعِلَ لَهُ الدَّارُ فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي لَيْلَى أَرَى أَنْ أَدَعَهَا عَلَى مَا تَرَكَهَا صَاحِبُهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ أَمَا إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- قَدْ قَضَى فِي

“I was witness that ibn abu Layla’ judged in the case of a man who had designated the income of a house for his relative without the mention of time limit. The man died and his heirs came to ibn abu Layla’ and his relative for whom the house was designated. Ibn abu Layla’ said, ‘I see that it must be left as its owner

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ وَقَفَ غَلَّةً لَهُ عَلَى قَرَابَةٍ مِنْ أَبِيهِ وَ قَرَابَةٍ مِنْ أُمِّهِ وَ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ وَ لِعَقِبِهِ مِنْ تِلْكَ الْغَلَّةِ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَهُ قَرَابَةٌ بِثَلَاثِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ وَ يُقْسَمُ الْبَاقِي عَلَى قَرَابَتِهِ مِنْ أَبِيهِ وَ قَرَابَتِهِ مِنْ أُمِّهِ قَالَ جَائِزٌ لِلَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who endowed an asset that belonged to him for his relatives from his father’s side as well as for those from his mother’s side. He assigned from the same asset three hundred dirham every year in his will for a man and his heirs with whom he had no relationshi

مَيِّتٌ أَوْصَى بِأَنْ يُجْرَى عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ وَ لَمْ يَأْمُرْ بِإِنْفَاذِ ثُلُثِهِ هَلْ لِلْوَصِيِّ أَنْ يُوقِفَ ثُلُثَ الْمَيِّتِ بِسَبَبِ الْإِجْرَاءِ فَكَتَبَ ع يُنْفِذُ ثُلُثَهُ وَ لَا يُوقِفُ‌[3].

‘The one-third must be spent and it must not be made an endowment.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ جَعَلَ لِرَجُلٍ سُكْنَى دَارٍ لَهُ حَيَاتَهُ يَعْنِي صَاحِبَ الدَّارِ[1]- فَلَمَّا مَاتَ صَاحِبُ الدَّارِ أَرَادَ وَرَثَتُهُ أَنْ يُخْرِجُوهُ أَ لَهُمْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنْ تُقَوَّمَ الدَّارُ بِقِيمَةٍ عَادِلَةٍ وَ يُنْظَرَ إِلَى ثُلُثِ الْمَيِّتِ فَإِنْ كَانَ فِي ثُلُثِهِ مَا يُحِيطُ بِثَمَنِ الدَّارِ فَلَيْسَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ أَنْ يُخْرِجُوهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الثُّلُثُ لَا يُحِيطُ بِثَمَن

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has given a house to a man to live for the lifetime of the occupant of the house. When the owner dies, the heirs ask the occupant to leave the house; if they can do so. He (the Imam) said, ‘I see that the house must be appraised for a fair price as well a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لِبَعْضِ وَرَثَتِهِ أَنَّ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمَيِّتُ مَرْضِيّاً فَأَعْطِهِ الَّذِي أَوْصَى لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who confirms his owing a certain amount of debts to one of his heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the deceased is one with whom people are happy, then you must pay to the one in whose favor the will is made.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ اسْتَوْدَعَتْ رَجُلًا مَالًا فَلَمَّا حَضَرَتْهَا الْوَفَاةُ قَالَتْ لَهُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ الَّذِي دَفَعْتُهُ إِلَيْكَ لِفُلَانَةَ وَ مَاتَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ فَأَتَى أَوْلِيَاؤُهَا الرَّجُلَ فَقَالُوا لَهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ لِصَاحِبَتِنَا مَالٌ وَ لَا نَرَاهُ إِلَّا عِنْدَكَ فَاحْلِفْ لَنَا أَنَّ مَا لَهَا قِبَلَكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَ فَيَحْلِفُ لَهُمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مَأْمُونَةً عِنْ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman who leaves a certain amount of assets in trust with a man; and at the time of her death she says to him that the asset in his trust belongs to so and so female, and she dies. Her heirs then come to the man saying that their woman had certain amount of asset

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَرِيضٍ أَقَرَّ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ لِوَارِثٍ بِدَيْنٍ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى لِوَارِثٍ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ جَائِزٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who in his illness at the time of his death confirms his owing a certain amount of debts to one of his heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.’ I asked about his confirming his owing ‘something’ to one of his heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissib

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ وُلْداً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ شَيْئاً وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ وَ لَيْسَ يَعْلَمُ بِهِ الْغُرَمَاءُ فَإِنْ قَضَاهُ لِغُرَمَائِهِ بَقِيَ وُلْدُهُ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ أَنْفَقَهُ عَلَى وُلْدِهِ‌[3].

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who has died and left behind small children and something but owes debts. The creditors do not know it (his leaving something). If debts are paid, nothing is left for his children who do not have anything. He (the Imam) said, ‘Spend it for his children.’”

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ لِمَوَالِيهِ وَ لِمَوْلَيَاتِهِ الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ أَوْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ‌ مِنَ الْوَصِيَّةِ فَوَقَّعَ ع جَائِزٌ لِلْمَيِّتِ مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ عَلَى مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Once Muhammad ibn al-Hassan wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.), about the case of a man who has bequeathed one-third of his legacy to his male and female slaves; if they share it equally or the share of the male is twice the share of female. He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘It is binding and permissible for the d

رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى إِلَى وُلْدِهِ وَ فِيهِمْ كِبَارٌ قَدْ أَدْرَكُوا وَ فِيهِمْ صِغَارٌ أَ يَجُوزُ لِلْكِبَارِ أَنْ يُنْفِذُوا وَصِيَّتَهُ وَ يَقْضُوا دَيْنَهُ لِمَنْ صَحَّ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ بِشُهُودٍ عُدُولٍ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ الصِّغَارُ فَوَقَّعَ ع نَعَمْ عَلَى الْأَكَابِرِ مِنَ الْوِلْدَانِ أَنْ يَقْضُوا دَيْنَ أَبِيهِمْ وَ لَا يَحْبِسُوهُ بِذَلِكَ‌[1].

‘The adult children must pay the debts of their father and they must not allow him to remain imprisoned thereby (the debts).”’

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ‌[2] إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلَيْنِ أَ يَجُوزُ لِأَحَدِهِمَا أَنْ يَنْفَرِدَ بِنِصْفِ التَّرِكَةِ وَ الْآخَرِ بِالنِّصْفِ فَوَقَّعَ ع‌ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُمَا أَنْ يُخَالِفَا الْمَيِّتَ وَ أَنْ يَعْمَلَا عَلَى حَسَبِ مَا أَمَرَهُمَا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

‘It is not suitable for them to oppose the deceased. They must work as they are instructed, by the will of Allah.’”

إِنَّ رَجُلًا مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ وَ إِلَى آخَرَ أَوْ إِلَى رَجُلَيْنِ فَقَالَ أَحَدُهُمَا خُذْ نِصْفَ مَا تَرَكَ وَ أَعْطِنِي النِّصْفَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهِ الْآخَرُ فَسَأَلُوا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ‌[1].

“A man died and appointed me and another man or two men as executors for his will. One of them said, ‘I will deal with one-half of the legacy but the other one opposed, and they asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is for him (to disagree).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَمَّا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ بِالثُّلُثِ وَ الرُّبُعِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ أَ شَيْ‌ءٌ صَحِيحٌ مَعْرُوفٌ أَمْ كَيْفَ صَنَعَ أَبُوكَ فَقَالَ الثُّلُثَ ذَلِكَ الْأَمْرُ الَّذِي صَنَعَ أَبِي رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about what people say concerning the will about one- third or one-fourth at the time of one’s death: if it is lawful and a good thing to do and how his father had done. He (the Imam) said, ‘The one-third is what my father, may Allah grant him kindness, had made the subject of his wil

قَالَ: إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ سِتِّينَ غُلَاماً فَأَعْتَقَ ثُلُثَهُمْ فَأَقْرَعْتُ بَيْنَهُمْ فَأَخْرَجْتُ عِشْرِينَ فَأَعْتَقْتُهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), died and left sixty slaves, of whom he set free one-third. I drew lots among them and selected twenty, and I freed them.’”

لَيْسَ يَتْبَعُ الرَّجُلَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ صَدَقَةٌ أَجْرَاهَا فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَهِيَ تَجْرِي بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ وَ سُنَّةُ هُدًى سَنَّهَا فَهِيَ يُعْمَلُ بِهَا بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ أَوْ وَلَدٌ صَالِحٌ يَدْعُو لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Nothing of the rewards follow a deceased after his death except three qualities: A charity that he established in his lifetime, it continues after his death; a Sunnah of guidance that he established upon which people act after his death; or a virtuous child who prays for him.’”

لَيْسَ يَتْبَعُ الرَّجُلَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ صَدَقَةٌ أَجْرَاهَا فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَهِيَ تَجْرِي بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ وَ صَدَقَةٌ مَبْتُولَةٌ لَا تُورَثُ أَوْ سُنَّةُ هُدًى يُعْمَلُ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ أَوْ وَلَدٌ صَالِحٌ يَدْعُو لَهُ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ إ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Nothing follows a deceased after his death except three things: a charity that Allah has made to function in his lifetime which continues after his death, a Sunnah of guidance that one establishes which is acted upon after his death and virtuous children who pray for him.’” Muhammad i