The Book of Wills

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ وَصِيَّتَهُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ كَانَ نَقْصاً فِي مُرُوءَتِهِ وَ عَقْلِهِ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ كَيْفَ يُوصِي الْمَيِّتُ قَالَ إِذَا حَضَرَتْهُ وَفَاتُهُ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ‌ اللَّهُمَّ فاطِرَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ عالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَ الشَّهادَةِ الرَّحْمَنَ الرَّحِيمَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعْهَدُ إِلَيْكَ فِي دَارِ الدُّنْيَا أَنِّي أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A person who does not make a proper will at the time of his death suffers from lack of kindness and proper understanding.’ It was then asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what kind of will should a dying person make?’ The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘Whe

صَحِبَنِي مَوْلًى لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يُقَالُ لَهُ أَعْيَنُ فَاشْتَكَى أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ بَرَأَ ثُمَّ مَاتَ فَأَخَذْتُ مَتَاعَهُ وَ مَا كَانَ لَهُ فَأَتَيْتُ بِهِ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنَّهُ اشْتَكَى أَيَّاماً ثُمَّ بَرَأَ ثُمَّ مَاتَ قَالَ تِلْكَ رَاحَةُ الْمَوْتِ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَمُوتُ حَتَّى يَرُدَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ سَمْعِهِ وَ بَصَرِهِ وَ عَقْلِهِ لِلْوَصِيَّةِ أ

“Once a Mawla’ of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), accompanied me (on a journey) and complained of illness for several days. Then it seemed as if he had no illness but very shortly, he died. I took his luggage to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and informed him (the Imam) that he complained for several days, then he seemed as if he had n

قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَصَحِبَنِي رَجُلٌ وَ كَانَ زَمِيلِي فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَانَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ مَرِضَ وَ ثَقُلَ ثِقْلًا شَدِيداً فَكُنْتُ أَقُومُ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ أَفَاقَ حَتَّى لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدِي بِهِ بَأْسٌ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كَانَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ أَفَاقَ فَمَاتَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مِنْ مَيِّتٍ تَحْضُرُهُ الْوَفَاةُ إِلَّا رَدَّ اللَّهُ عَ

“Once, a man said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I once travelled to Makkah and my travel mate, who was a friend, on the way became ill very seriously and I looked after him. He began to feel very well and I thought he is fine. On the day that he died, he became extremely well but on the same day, he died.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْوَصِيَّةِ فَقَالَ هِيَ حَقٌّ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the will. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a right on every Muslim.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ الْوَصِيَّةُ حَقٌّ وَ قَدْ أَوْصَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَيَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يُوصِيَ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Making a will is a right that requires compliance. The Messenger of Allah (a.s.), made a will, thus it is proper for a Muslim to make a will.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنانِ ذَوا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ أَوْ آخَرانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ‌[1] قُلْتُ مَا آخَرانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ‌ قَالَ هُمَا كَافِرَانِ قُلْتُ‌ ذَوا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ‌ فَقَالَ مُسْلِمَانِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Blessed, most High, ‘O believing people there must be two just (Muslim) witnesses when anyone of you is about to die or from other people.’ (5:106) I asked, ‘What is the meaning of ‘(there must be) two from other people?’ He (the Imam) s

سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ أَهْلِ مِلَّةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَهْلِ مِلَّتِهِمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا لَمْ يُوجَدْ مِنْ أَهْلِ مِلَّتِهِمْ جَازَتْ شَهَادَةُ غَيْرِهِمْ إِنَّهُ لَا يَصْلُحُ ذَهَابُ حَقِّ أَحَدٍ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if it is permissible for a person of the religion to appoint a witness who is not of the people of his religion. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is permissible when witness from the people of his own religion is no available; destroying anyone’s right is not suitable.’”

إِذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ فِي بَلَدٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ مُسْلِمٌ جَازَتْ شَهَادَةُ مَنْ لَيْسَ بِمُسْلِمٍ عَلَى الْوَصِيَّةِ.

“About the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . and two people from others who are not of your people’ abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘This applies when he is in a place where Muslims are not available, then asking a non-Muslim to bear witness to a will is permissible.’”

يُجَازُ رُبُعُ مَا أَوْصَى بِحِسَابِ شَهَادَتِهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if a woman’s bearing witness to the will of a man when no man is available is accepted. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is effective for one-fourth of what is willed according to her testimony.’”

فِي وَصِيَّةٍ لَمْ يَشْهَدْهَا إِلَّا امْرَأَةٌ فَأَجَازَ شَهَادَةَ الْمَرْأَةِ فِي الرُّبُعِ مِنَ الْوَصِيَّةِ بِحِسَابِ شَهَادَتِهَا.

“In the case of a will for which there is no witness except a woman, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), accepted it (such witness) for one-fourth of the will according to her testimony.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا شَهادَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ حِينَ الْوَصِيَّةِ اثْنانِ ذَوا عَدْلٍ مِنْكُمْ أَوْ آخَرانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ‌ قَالَ اللَّذَانِ مِنْكُمْ مُسْلِمَانِ وَ اللَّذَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدُوا مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ فَمِنَ الْمَجُوسِ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص سَنَّ فِي ال

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘O believing people there must be two just (Muslim) witnesses when anyone of you is about to die or from other people.’ (5:106) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said that in this verse, “‘The two from you”, means two Musli

خَرَجَ تَمِيمٌ الدَّارِيُّ وَ ابْنُ بَيْدِيٍّ وَ ابْنُ أَبِي مَارِيَةَ فِي سَفَرٍ وَ كَانَ تَمِيمٌ الدَّارِيُّ مُسْلِماً وَ ابْنُ بَيْدِيٍّ وَ ابْنُ أَبِي مَارِيَةَ نَصْرَانِيَّيْنِ وَ كَانَ مَعَ تَمِيمٍ الدَّارِيِّ خُرْجٌ لَهُ فِيهِ مَتَاعٌ وَ آنِيَةٌ مَنْقُوشَةٌ بِالذَّهَبِ وَ قِلَادَةٌ أَخْرَجَهَا إِلَى بَعْضِ أَسْوَاقِ الْعَرَبِ لِلْبَيْعِ فَاعْتَلَّ تَمِيمٌ الدَّارِيُّ عِلَّةً شَدِيدَةً فَلَمَّا حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْ

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his people in a marfu‘ manner has said the following: “Tamim al-Dariy, ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya once left for a journey. Tamim al-Dariy was a Muslim but ibn Baydiy and ibn Mariya were Christians and they were with Tamim al-Dariy who had certain assets and utensils, which were decor

إِنْ أَوْصَى رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ هُوَ غَائِبٌ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرُدَّ وَصِيَّتَهُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ بِالْبَلَدِ فَهُوَ بِالْخِيَارِ إِنْ شَاءَ قَبِلَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَقْبَلْ.

“If one makes a will and appoints a certain person as the executor of the will who is not present in town he cannot refuse to accept the appointment, but if he is town he has the choice to accept or refuse it.’”

إِذَا بُعِثَ بِهَا إِلَيْهِ مِنْ بَلَدٍ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ رَدُّهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي مِصْرٍ يُوجَدُ فِيهِ غَيْرُهُ فَذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِ.

“It is about the case of a man who is appointed in a will as the executor a will. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the appointment is sent to him from another town he cannot refuse to accept the appointment, but if it is from the same town then it is up to him to accept or reject it.’”

إِذَا أَوْصَى الرَّجُلُ إِلَى أَخِيهِ وَ هُوَ غَائِبٌ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ وَصِيَّتَهُ لِأَنَّهُ لَوْ كَانَ شَاهِداً فَأَبَى أَنْ يَقْبَلَهَا طَلَبَ غَيْرَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a man makes a will in which he appoints his brother as the executor when he is absent, he cannot refuse the appointment for if he was present and refused, another person could have been appointed as the executor.’”

فِي الرَّجُلِ يُوصَى إِلَيْهِ قَالَ إِذَا بُعِثَ بِهَا مِنْ بَلَدٍ إِلَيْهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ رَدُّهَا.

“About the case of a man who is appointed as the executor of the will abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the appointment is sent from one town to another town he cannot refuse to accept the appointment.’”

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يَخْذُلْهُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ.

“About the case of a man who is appointed as the executor in a will but he dislikes it, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He must not betray him in such condition.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع رَجُلٌ دَعَاهُ وَالِدُهُ إِلَى قَبُولِ وَصِيَّتِهِ هَلْ لَهُ أَنْ يَمْتَنِعَ مِنْ قَبُولِ وَصِيَّتِهِ فَوَقَّعَ ع لَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَمْتَنِعَ.

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who asks his father to accept his appointment as the executor of his will; if he can refuse to accept the appointment. He (the Imam) signed the answer that said, ‘He cannot refuse.’”

يَقُولُ‌ صَاحِبُ الْمَالِ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الرُّوحِ يَضَعُهُ حَيْثُ شَاءَ

“I once heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘The owner of the asset has a greater degree of rights in his assets as long as there is some spirit in him. He can do about it whatever he wants.”’

الرَّجُلُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ الرُّوحُ إِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ كُلِّهِ فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ لَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man is more rightful to his assets as long as there is the spirit in him and if he makes a will about all of it, it is permissible.’”

الْمَيِّتُ أَوْلَى بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ الرُّوحُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who is about to die is more rightful to his assets as long as he is alive.’”

أَوْصَى أَخُو رُومِيِّ بْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ جَمِيعَ مَالِهِ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ عَمْرٌو فَأَخْبَرَنِي رُومِيٌّ أَنَّهُ وَضَعَ الْوَصِيَّةَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى لَكَ بِهِ أَخِي وَ جَعَلْتُ أَقْرَأُ عَلَيْهِ‌ فَيَقُولُ لِي قِفْ وَ يَقُولُ احْمِلْ كَذَا وَ وَهَبْتُ لَكَ كَذَا حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ عَلَى الْوَصِيَّةِ فَنَظَرْتُ فَإِذَا إِنَّمَا أَخَذَ الثُّلُثَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ أَمَرْتَ

“The brother of Romiy ibn ‘Umar made a will that said, ‘All of his assets must be given to abu Ja‘far (a.s.) . ’ ‘Amr has said that Romi narrated to me saying, ‘I placed the assets before abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and said, “This is what my brother has given to you in his will” and I began to read it for him.’ He (the Imam) s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ أَ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ قَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has children; if he can assign his assets to his relatives. He (the Imam) said, ‘They are his assets, he can place it wherever he wants until death comes upon him.’”

إِذَا أَبَانَ فِيهِ‌[1] فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ وَ إِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَهُوَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ.

“About the case of a man who gives a certain amount of his property during his illness, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If he keeps such assets aside, it then is permissible, but if he has only said so in his will then it is from one-third of his legacy.’”

الْمَيِّتُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ فِيهِ الرُّوحُ يُبِينُ بِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَإِنْ تَعَدَّى‌[2] فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا الثُّلُثُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who is about to die; if he is more rightful to his assets as long as there is spirit in him. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, that is right but if he makes a will and it is more (than the one-third) it applies to one-third of his legacy only.”’

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ أَ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a son; if he can give his assets to his relatives. He (the Imam) said, ‘They are his assets, he can do to it whatever he wants until death comes upon him.’”

الْإِنْسَانُ أَحَقُّ بِمَالِهِ مَا دَامَ الرُّوحُ فِي بَدَنِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man is more rightful to his assets as long as there is spirit in his body.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ لَهُ الْوَلَدُ أَ يَسَعُهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ مَالَهُ لِقَرَابَتِهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ مَا شَاءَ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ إِنَّ لِصَاحِبِ‌ الْمَالِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ بِمَالِهِ مَا شَاءَ مَا دَامَ حَيّاً إِنْ شَاءَ وَهَبَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ تَرَكَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَإِنْ أَوْصَى بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ إِلَّا الثُّلُثُ إِلَّا أَنَّ الْفَضْلَ فِي

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has a son; if he can give his assets to his relatives. He (the Imam) said, ‘They are his assets, he can do to them whatever he wants until death comes upon him; the owner can do whatever he wants as long as he is alive. He can give it as a gift or charity

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْوَصِيَّةِ لِلْوَارِثِ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ[3].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), if one can make a will for the heir. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ يُوصِي لِلْوَارِثِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَوْ قَالَ جَائِزٌ لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one can make a will about something for the heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes,’ or he said that ‘it is permissible.’”

الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَارِثِ لَا بَأْسَ بِهَا. - الْفَضْلُ بْنُ شَاذَانَ عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ نَحْوَهُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Making a will for the heir is not harmful.’” Al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Yunus ‘Abd Allah ibn Bukayr from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has narrated a similar Hadith.

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْوَصِيَّةِ لِلْوَارِثِ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about making a will for the heir. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْوَصِيَّةِ لِلْوَارِثِ فَقَالَ تَجُوزُ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- إِنْ تَرَكَ خَيْراً الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوالِدَيْنِ وَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ‌.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about making a will for the heir. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible.’ He (the Imam) then recited this verse. ‘If he leaves good things the will is for parents and relatives.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَ وُلْدِهِ عَلَى بَعْضٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ نِسَاءَهُ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who gives preference to certain ones of his children. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can do so, and his women.’”

كَانَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِمَكَّةَ وَ إِنَّهُ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِمَكَّةَ وَ أَصْحَابُهُ وَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يُصَلُّونَ إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ وَ أَوْصَى الْبَرَاءُ إِذَا دُفِنَ أَنْ يُجْعَلَ وَجْهُهُ إِلَى تِلْقَاءِ النَّبِيِّ ص إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ[1] وَ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فَجَرَتْ بِهِ السُّنَّةُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Bara’ ibn Ma’rur al-Ansariy lived in al-Madinah. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, lived in Makkah, and with his companions performed Salat (prayer) facing the direction of Bayt al-Maqdis. Al-B

كَتَبَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌ أَنَّ دُرَّةَ بِنْتَ مُقَاتِلٍ تُوُفِّيَتْ وَ تَرَكَتْ ضَيْعَةً أَشْقَاصاً[2] فِي مَوَاضِعَ وَ أَوْصَتْ لِسَيِّدِهَا مِنْ أَشْقَاصِهَا بِمَا يَبْلُغُ أَكْثَرَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ نَحْنُ أَوْصِيَاؤُهَا وَ أَحْبَبْنَا أَنْ نُنْهِيَ إِلَى سَيِّدِنَا فَإِنْ هُوَ أَمَرَ بِإِمْضَاءِ الْوَصِيَّةِ عَلَى وَجْهِهَا أَمْضَيْنَاهَا وَ إِنْ أَمَرَ بِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ انْتَهَيْنَا

“Durrah, daughter of Muqatil has died. She has left assets and pieces of land in several places. She had made a will for her master of the pieces of land, which was more than one-third of her legacy. We are the executors of her will and like to ask our master if he commands to approve that will as it is, so we can also

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ مَا لَهُ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ ثُلُثُ مَالِهِ وَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَيْضاً.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and about what is for him from his legacy. He (the Imam) said, ‘One third of his legacy is for him and this applies to a woman also.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ لَأَنْ أُوصِيَ بِخُمُسِ مَالِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالرُّبُعِ وَ لَأَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالرُّبُعِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُوصِيَ بِالثُّلُثِ وَ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِالثُّلُثِ فَلَمْ يَتَّرِكْ فَقَدْ بَالَغَ قَالَ وَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ تُوُفِّيَ وَ أَوْصَى بِمَالِهِ كُلِّهِ أَوْ أَكْثَرِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْوَصِيَّةَ تُرَدُّ إ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), in this statement refers to the words of ’Amir al-Mu’minin. He (the Imam) said, ‘If I make a will about one-fifth of my legacy it is better than making a will about one- fourth of my legacy, and if I make a will about one-fourth of my legacy it is better than a will about one-third of my legacy. One

مَنْ أَوْصَى بِالثُّلُثِ فَقَدْ أَضَرَّ بِالْوَرَثَةِ وَ الْوَصِيَّةُ بِالْخُمُسِ وَ الرُّبُعِ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْوَصِيَّةِ بِالثُّلُثِ وَ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِالثُّلُثِ فَلَمْ يَتَّرِكْ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one makes a will about one-third of his legacy he has harmed the heirs. Making a will about one-fifth or one-fourth of the legacy is better than making a will about one-third. If one makes a will about one-third he has not left anything (for the heirs).’”

مَنْ أَوْصَى بِالثُّلُثِ فَلَمْ يَتَّرِكْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one makes a will about one-third has not left any legacy.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ خَطَأً فَإِنَّ ثُلُثَ دِيَتِهِ دَاخِلٌ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin has said, ‘If one makes a will about one-third of his legacy, then is killed by mistake, one-third of the wergild for him becomes part of that which he has willed.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ وَ وَرَثَتُهُ شُهُودٌ فَأَجَازُوا ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ نَقَضُوا الْوَصِيَّةَ هَلْ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَرُدُّوا مَا أَقَرُّوا بِهِ قَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ ذَلِكَ الْوَصِيَّةُ جَائِزَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ إِذَا أَقَرُّوا بِهَا فِي حَيَاتِهِ‌[1]. - أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الْأَشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع

“About the case of a man who makes a will in the presence of his heirs who give permission but when he dies they disregard it if they can take back what they had agreed, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘They cannot do so. The will about which the heirs agree in the lifetime of the deceased becomes permissible.’” Abu

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لِلْمُوصِي أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ إِنْ كَانَ فِي صِحَّةٍ أَوْ مَرَضٍ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ’One who makes a will has the right to cancel or leave it, regardless of his being in good health or in illness.

لِصَاحِبِ الْوَصِيَّةِ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِيهَا وَ يُحْدِثَ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ مَا دَامَ حَيّاً.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’The testator has the right to cancel or change his will in his life time.”’

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنَّ الْمُدَبَّرَ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ أَنَّ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَنْقُضَ وَصِيَّتَهُ فَيَزِيدَ فِيهَا وَ يَنْقُصَ مِنْهَا مَا لَمْ يَمُتْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin issued a judgment about al- Mudabbar (slave to be set free with the death of the owner) as being part of one-third of the legacy and that a testator has the right to reduce or increase in his will as long as he is alive.’”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يُغَيِّرَ وَصِيَّتَهُ فَيُعْتِقَ مَنْ كَانَ أَمَرَ بِمِلْكِهِ وَ يُمَلِّكَ مَنْ كَانَ أَمَرَ بِعِتْقِهِ وَ يُعْطِيَ مَنْ كَانَ حَرَمَهُ وَ يَحْرِمَ مَنْ كَانَ أَعْطَاهُ مَا لَمْ يَمُتْ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘A testator has the right to change his will, thus he can set free those whom he had willed to remain slaves or keep the slaves those that were freed in his will; give those who were deprived and deprive those whom he had given as long as he is alive.’”

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