The Book of Wills

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ الْجُزْءُ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ عَشَرَةٍ لِأَنَّ الْجِبَالَ عَشَرَةٌ وَ الطُّيُورَ أَرْبَعَةٌ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A part is one-tenth because the mountains were ten and the birds were four.’”

الشَّيْ‌ءُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع وَاحِدٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, was asked about the case of a man who made a will about something of his legacy. He (the Imam) said, ‘According to the book of Ali (a.s.), it is one-sixth.”’

سُئِلَ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ قَالَ الشَّيْ‌ءُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع مِنْ سِتَّةٍ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, was asked about the case of a man who made a will about something of his wealth. He (the Imam) said, ‘According to the book of Ali (a.s.), it is one-sixth.’”

السَّهْمُ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ ثَمَانِيَةٍ لِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ وَ الْعامِلِينَ عَلَيْها وَ الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ فِي الرِّقابِ وَ الْغارِمِينَ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ‌[1].

“Once abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the case of a man who makes a will about a share of his legacy. He (the Imam) said, ‘A share is one-eighth because of the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “Charity is only for the poor, destitute, Zakat collectors, people inclined to the religion

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ وَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالا سَأَلْنَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِسَهْمٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ لَا يُدْرَى السَّهْمُ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هُوَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عِنْدَكُمْ فِيمَا بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ وَ لَا عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ قُلْنَا لَهُ جُعِلْنَا فِدَاكَ مَا سَمِعْنَا أَصْحَابَ

“We once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will about a share of his legacy and it is not known how much a share is. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Have you not received anything about it from Ja‘far, or abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam?’ We replied, ‘We pray to Allah to keep our souls in

قُلْتُ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ يُقِرُّ لِوَارِثٍ بِدَيْنٍ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ إِذَا كَانَ مَلِيّاً.

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who confirms his owing a certain amount of debt to one of his heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible if immediate payment is not required.’”

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 أَقَرَّ لِوَارِثٍ لَهُ وَ هُوَ مَرِيضٌ بِدَيْنٍ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يَجُوزُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا أَقَرَّ بِهِ دُونَ الثُّلُثِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who confirms in his illness his owing a certain amount of debts to one of his heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible if the amount is less than one-third of the legacy.’”

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

يَجُوزُ عَلَيْهِ شَهَادَتُهُ وَ لَا يُغْرَمُ وَ يُسْتَسْعَى الْغُلَامُ فِيمَا كَانَ لِغَيْرِهِ مِنَ الْوَرَثَةِ[3].

“About the case of a man who dies and leaves behind a slave and certain ones of his children testify that their father had freed the slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘His testimony is permissible, he is not required to compensate and the slave is not required to work to pay for his freedom from the other heirs.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ غُلَاماً مَمْلُوكاً فَشَهِدَ بَعْضُ الْوَرَثَةِ أَنَّهُ حُرٌّ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ الشَّاهِدُ مَرْضِيّاً جَازَتْ شَهَادَتُهُ فِي نَصِيبِهِ وَ اسْتُسْعِيَ فِيمَا كَانَ لِغَيْرِهِ مِنَ الْوَرَثَةِ[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies and leaves behind an owned slave, but certain ones of the heirs testify that he is free. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the testifying person is an acceptable person his testimony is permissible on his share of the legacy and the slave is made to work to bu

يَلْزَمُهُ ذَلِكَ فِي حِصَّتِهِ.

“About the case of a man who dies and a certain one of his heir confirms his owing a certain amount. He (the Imam) said, ‘It become binding and applicable to his share in the legacy.’”

إِنِ اسْتَيْقَنَ أَنَّ الدَّيْنَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ يُحِيطُ بِجَمِيعِ الْمَالِ فَلَا يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَيْقِنْ فَلْيُنْفِقْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ‌[2].

“He once asked him (the Imam); ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the case of a man who dies leaving behind dependents and debts; if anything can be spent from the legacy for the dependents. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is certain that his legacy covers the debt, then nothing can be spent for his dependents but if it is certain tha

إِنْ كَانَ يُسْتَيْقَنُ أَنَّ الَّذِي تَرَكَ يُحِيطُ بِجَمِيعِ دَيْنِهِ فَلَا يُنْفَقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ يُسْتَيْقَنُ فَلْيُنْفَقْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ.

‘If it is certain that his legacy covers all of his debts then it is not spent on them but if it is not certain then from the center of the legacy their expenses are paid..’”

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.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِسَيْفٍ وَ كَانَ فِي جَفْنٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ حِلْيَةٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ النَّصْلُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْمَالُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَلِ السَّيْفُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِصُنْدُوقٍ وَ كَانَ فِيهِ مَالٌ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الصُّنْدُوقُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْمَالُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع الصُّنْدُوقُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will for a man about a sword which is in a cover (sword sheathing) with decorations on it. The heirs said that only the sword is for him and not the asset (the valuable decorations). He (the Imam) said, ‘The sword and that in which it is belongs to h

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَالَ هَذِهِ السَّفِينَةُ لِفُلَانٍ وَ لَمْ يُسَمِّ مَا فِيهَا وَ فِيهَا طَعَامٌ أَ يُعْطَاهَا الرَّجُلُ وَ مَا فِيهَا قَالَ هِيَ لِلَّذِي أَوْصَى لَهُ بِهَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ صَاحِبُهَا مُتَّهَماً وَ لَيْسَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who has said that this ship belongs to so and so but has not identified its contents. There is food in it; if the ship with its content must be given to him. He (the Imam) said, ‘It belongs to him except; if its owner is accused (of wrong-doing) and the heirs

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِسَيْفٍ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الْحَدِيدُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْحِلْيَةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ غَيْرُ الْحَدِيدِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ السَّيْفُ لَهُ وَ حِلْيَتُهُ.

“I once wrote to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who has made a will about a sword for a man and the heirs say that only the iron belongs to him but not the decoration. He (the Imam) wrote the answer that said, ‘The sword and decoration belong to him.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى لِرَجُلٍ بِصُنْدُوقٍ وَ كَانَ فِي الصُّنْدُوقِ مَالٌ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الصُّنْدُوقُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ مَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ الصُّنْدُوقُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a will about a box with assets in it for a man. The heirs say that only the box belongs to him and not its contents. He (the Imam) said, ‘The box and its contents belong to him.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ مُتَعَمِّداً فَهُوَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِداً فِيهَا قِيلَ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ ثُمَّ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ تَنْفُذُ وَصِيَّتُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى قَبْلَ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ حَدَثاً فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنْ جِرَاحَةٍ أَوْ فِعْلٍ لَعَلَّهُ يَمُوتُ أُجِيزَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي الثُّلُثِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘One who kills himself intentionally is in the fire of hell forever.’ It was asked, ‘What happens if one makes a will, then kills himself in the same hour, if his will is acceptable.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If his will takes place before his causing any injury or anything that

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ ابْنَانِ فَمَاتَ أَحَدُهُمَا وَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَوْصَى لَهُمْ جَدُّهُمْ بِسَهْمِ أَبِيهِمْ فَهَذَا السَّهْمُ الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ أَمْ‌ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ‌ فَوَقَّعَ ع يُنْفِذُونَ وَصِيَّةَ جَدِّهِمْ كَمَا أَمَرَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ وَ كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَقَرَّ لَهُمْ

“I once wrote to abu Muhammad (a.s.), and asked about the case of a man who has two sons. One of them dies, leaving behind male and female children, and the grandfather bequests for them the share of their father, if male and female in this share are equal or if the male has twice the share of the female. He (the Imam)

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

لِأَعْمَامِهِ الثُّلُثَانِ وَ لِأَخْوَالِهِ الثُّلُثُ.

“This is about the case of a man who bequests one-third of his legacy to his paternal and maternal uncles. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘The paternal uncle receive two-thirds and the maternal uncle receives one-third.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ فَأَشْرَكَ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ مَعَهَا صَبِيّاً فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ وَ تُمْضِي الْمَرْأَةُ الْوَصِيَّةَ وَ لَا يُنْتَظَرُ بُلُوغُ الصَّبِيِّ فَإِذَا بَلَغَ الصَّبِيُّ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ لَا يَرْضَى إِلَّا مَا كَانَ مِنْ تَبْدِيلٍ أَوْ تَغْيِيرٍ فَإِنَّ لَهُ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُ إِلَى مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ الْمَيِّتُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who makes a bequest for a woman to share it with a child. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is permissible. The woman can execute the will and she does not have to wait until the child becomes mature. The child upon maturity cannot disagree unless the will is changed or

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).”’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْحِيطَانِ السَّبْعَةِ الَّتِي كَانَتْ مِيرَاثَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِفَاطِمَةَ ع فَقَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا كَانَتْ وَقْفاً وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَأْخُذُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْهَا مَا يُنْفِقُ عَلَى أَضْيَافِهِ وَ التَّابِعَةُ[2] يَلْزَمُهُ فِيهَا فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ جَاءَ الْعَبَّاسُ يُخَاصِمُ فَاطِمَةَ ع فِيهَا فَشَهِدَ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ غَيْرُهُ أَنَّهَا وَقْفٌ عَلَى فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ هِيَ الدَّلَالُ وَ الْعَوَافُ وَ ا

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Thani, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the seven walls (gardens) which were of the legacy of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your

سَأَلْنَاهُ عَنْ صَدَقَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ صَدَقَةِ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ صَدَقَتُهُمَا لِبَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ بَنِي الْمُطَّلِبِ.

“We once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the charities of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and the charities of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam. He (the Imam) said, ‘Their charities are for banu Hashim and banu al-Muttalib.’”

الْمِيثَبُ هُوَ الَّذِي كَاتَبَ عَلَيْهِ سَلْمَانُ فَأَفَاءَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَهُوَ فِي صَدَقَتِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has propounded the following. ‘Al-Maythab is that garden upon which Salman contracted for his freedom; then Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, granted it to His messenger, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, as properties captured from

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَدَقَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ صَدَقَةِ عَلِيٍّ ع فَقَالَ هِيَ لَنَا حَلَالٌ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ ع جَعَلَتْ صَدَقَتَهَا لِبَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَ بَنِي الْمُطَّلِبِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the charities of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and the charities of Ali (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is lawful for us.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, left her charitie

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ أَ لَا أُقْرِئُكَ وَصِيَّةَ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ حُقّاً أَوْ سَفَطاً فَأَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ كِتَاباً فَقَرَأَهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا أَوْصَتْ بِهِ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ مُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَوْصَتْ بِحَوَائِطِهَا السَّبْعَةِ الْعَوَافِ وَ الدَّلَالِ وَ الْبُرْقَةِ وَ الْمِيثَبِ وَ الْحَسْنَى وَ الصَّافِيَةِ وَ مَا لِأُمِّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلَى

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu Najran from ‘Asem ibn Humayd from abu Basir who has narrated the following: “Once abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, decided to inform us about an important fact. He (the Imam) said, ‘Do you like if I read the will of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, for you?’ I replied

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ لَا أُقْرِئُكَ وَصِيَّةَ فَاطِمَةَ ع قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَ إِلَيَّ صَحِيفَةً هَذَا مَا عَهِدَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ مُحَمَّدٍ ص فِي مَالِهَا إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ إِنْ مَاتَ فَإِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ فَإِلَى الْحُسَيْنِ فَإِنْ مَاتَ الْحُسَيْنُ فَإِلَى الْأَكْبَرِ مِنْ وُلْدِي دُونَ وُلْدِكَ- الدَّلَالُ وَ الْعَوَافُ وَ الْمِيثَبُ وَ بُرْقَةُ وَ الْحَسْنَى وَ

6. It is narrated from the narrator of the previous Hadith from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman from abu Basir who has narrated the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once said, ‘Do you like if I read the will of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al- Salam ?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I like it.’ He (the Imam

بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع بِوَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هِيَ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا أَوْصَى بِهِ وَ قَضَى بِهِ فِي مَالِهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ عَلِيٌّ ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ لِيُولِجَنِي بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يَصْرِفَنِي بِهِ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ يَصْرِفَ النَّارَ عَنِّي‌ يَوْمَ تَبْيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ وَ تَسْوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ‌ أَنَّ مَا كَانَ لِي مِنْ مَالٍ بِيَنْبُعَ يُعْرَفُ لِي فِيه

7. Abu Ali al-Ash ‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has narrated the following: “Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, sent to me the will of ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, whic

أَنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِوَصِيَّةِ أَبِيهِ وَ بِصَدَقَتِهِ مَعَ أَبِي إِسْمَاعِيلَ مُصَادِفٍ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* هَذَا مَا عَهِدَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ هُوَ يَشْهَدُ أَنْ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌ وَحْدَهُ‌ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ‌ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ يُحْيِي وَ يُمِيتُ‌ بِيَدِهِ الْخَيْرُ وَ هُوَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُه

“Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), sent to him the will of his father with his charity through abu Tsma‘il Musadif. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful “This is the will of JaTar ibn Muhammad who testifies that no one deserves worship except Allah alone, who has no partners. To Him belongs the kingdom, to Him

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَسَمَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ص الْفَيْ‌ءَ فَأَصَابَ عَلِيّاً ع أَرْضاً فَاحْتَفَرَ فِيهَا عَيْناً فَخَرَجَ مَاءٌ يَنْبُعُ فِي السَّمَاءِ كَهَيْئَةِ عُنُقِ الْبَعِيرِ فَسَمَّاهَا يَنْبُعَ فَجَاءَ الْبَشِيرُ يُبَشِّرُ فَقَالَ ع بَشِّرِ الْوَارِثَ‌ هِيَ صَدَقَةٌ بَتَّةً بَتْلًا فِي حَجِيجِ بَيْتِ اللَّهِ وَ عَابِرِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا تُبَاعُ وَ لَا تُوهَبُ وَ لَا تُورَثُ فَمَنْ بَاعَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, distributed the assets captured from the enemy among the Muslims. The share of Ali (a.s.), was a piece of land. He dug a well and water gushed toward the s

أَعْطُوا الْحَسَنَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ هُوَ الْأَفْطَسُ سَبْعِينَ دِينَاراً وَ أَعْطُوا فُلَاناً كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ فُلَاناً كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَقُلْتُ أَ تُعْطِي رَجُلًا حَمَلَ عَلَيْكَ بِالشَّفْرَةِ فَقَالَ وَيْحَكِ أَ مَا تَقْرَءِينَ الْقُرْآنَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتِ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ وَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ وَ يَخافُونَ سُوءَ

“I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when he was about to leave this world. He fainted and then regained consciousness. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must give to al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn, who is al-Aftas, seventy dinar, give so and so such and such amount, and to so and so such and such amount.’ I then asked, ‘Do you

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.’”

أَعْتَقَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مِنْ غِلْمَانِهِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ شِرَارَهُمْ وَ أَمْسَكَ خِيَارَهُمْ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ تُعْتِقُ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ تُمْسِكُ هَؤُلَاءِ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ قَدْ أَصَابُوا مِنِّي ضُرّاً[1] فَيَكُونُ هَذَا بِهَذَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that abu Ja‘far, at the time of his passing away freed the mischievous ones among his slaves and kept the good ones. I asked, ‘Father, do you free these and keep these?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘These were subjected to my disciplining, thus, this is for that.’”

مَرِضَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع ثَلَاثَ مَرَضَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ مَرْضَةٍ يُوصِي بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَإِذَا أَفَاقَ أَمْضَى وَصِيَّتَهُ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, became ill three times, each time he made a will and when he recovered from his illness he approved his will.’”

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

لَا يَتْبَعُ الرَّجُلَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ إِلَّا ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ صَدَقَةٌ أَجْرَاهَا لِلَّهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ فَهِيَ تَجْرِي لَهُ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ وَ سُنَّةُ هُدًى سَنَّهَا فَهِيَ يُعْمَلُ بِهَا بَعْدَ وَفَاتِهِ وَ وَلَدٌ صَالِحٌ يَدْعُو لَهُ.

“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 life time 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.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا يَلْحَقُ الرَّجُلَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَقَالَ سُنَّةٌ سَنَّهَا يُعْمَلُ بِهَا بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَيَكُونُ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ الْجَارِيَةُ تَجْرِي مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ الْوَلَدُ الصَّالِحُ يَدْعُو لِوَالِدَيْهِ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِمَا وَ يَحُجُّ وَ يَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهُمَا وَ يُعْتِقُ وَ يَصُومُ وَ يُصَلِّي عَنْهُم

4. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has narrated the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about things that follow a deceased after his death. He (the Imam) said, ‘Of the things that follow a deceased after his death is

سِتَّةٌ تَلْحَقُ الْمُؤْمِنَ بَعْدَ وَفَاتِهِ وَلَدٌ يَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُ وَ مُصْحَفٌ يُخَلِّفُهُ وَ غَرْسٌ يَغْرِسُهُ وَ قَلِيبٌ يَحْفِرُهُ وَ صَدَقَةٌ يُجْرِيهَا وَ سُنَّةٌ يُؤْخَذُ بِهَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Six things follow a believing deceased after his death: a child that asks forgiveness for him, a book that he leaves behind, a plantation that he plants, a well that he digs, a charity that he establishes and a Sunnah which is acted upon after his death/”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فَسَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يُشْرِكَ مَعِي ذَا قَرَابَةٍ لَهُ فَفَعَلَ وَ ذَكَرَ الَّذِي أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ أَنَّ لَهُ قِبَلَ الَّذِي أَشْرَكَهُ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ خَمْسِينَ وَ مِائَةَ دِرْهَمٍ عِنْدَهُ رَهْناً بِهَا جَامٌ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ فَلَمَّا هَلَكَ الرَّجُلُ أَنْشَأَ الْوَصِيُّ يَدَّعِي أَنَّ لَهُ قِبَلَهُ أَكْرَارَ حِنْطَةٍ قَالَ إِنْ أَقَامَ الْبَيِّنَةَ وَ إِلَّا فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ لَهُ قَ

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that a man made a will in which he appointed me as executor of the will. I asked him to appoint one more person of his relatives with me and he did. The testator told me that with the other executor of the will he has a bowl of silver, which is worth one hundred fifty dirham as a

أَوْصَى رَجُلٌ بِثَلَاثِينَ دِينَاراً لِوُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ ع قَالَ فَأَتَى بِهَا الرَّجُلُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ادْفَعْهَا إِلَى فُلَانٍ شَيْخٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ ع وَ كَانَ مُعِيلًا مُقِلًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ إِنَّمَا أَوْصَى بِهَا الرَّجُلُ لِوُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّهَا لَا تَقَعُ مِنْ وُلْدِ فَاطِمَةَ وَ هِيَ تَقَعُ مِنْ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ وَ ل

“A man made a will about thirty dinars for the children of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam. Another man brought it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who told him to give it to so and so old man of the descendents of Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, who has a family to feed and is poor. The man said, ‘The man has a will for the children of

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ فِي بَلَدِنَا رُبَّمَا أُوصِيَ بِالْمَالِ لآِلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَيَأْتُونِّي بِهِ فَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَحْمِلَهُ إِلَيْكَ حَتَّى أَسْتَأْمِرَكَ فَقَالَ لَا تَأْتِنِي بِهِ وَ لَا تَعَرَّضْ لَهُ‌[2].

“I once said to him (the Imam) (a.s.), ‘In our land people may make a will for Ale Muhammad (SAW). They ask me to deliver it to you and I dislike carrying it to you before asking for your instructions.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not carry them to me and do not bother about it.’”