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وَ تَصْدِيقُ ذَلِكَ مَا رَوَاهُ إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ أَبِي زِيَادٍ اَلسَّكُونِيُّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : أَنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَمُوتُ وَ لاَ وَارِثَ لَهُ وَ لاَ عَصَبَةَ قَالَ "يُوصِي بِمَالِهِ حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ فِي اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ اَلْمَسَاكِينِ وَ اِبْنِ اَلسَّبِيلِ".

Hadith.5469 - And a confirmation of this is what was narrated by Ismaʿil ibn Abi Ziyad Al-Sakuni from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) from his father, Abu Abdullah Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), that he was asked about a man who dies without leaving behind an heir or any male relative (Aṣabah). Imam (as) sa

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ مُتَعَمِّداً فَهُوَ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ خالِداً فِيها قِيلَ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ‌ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ ثُمَّ قَتَلَ نَفْسَهُ مُتَعَمِّداً مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ تُنْفَذُ وَصِيَّتُهُ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى قَبْلَ أَنْ يُحْدِثَ حَدَثاً فِي نَفْسِهِ مِنْ جِرَاحَةٍ أَوْ فِعْلٍ أُجِيزَتْ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي ثُلُثِهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ وَ قَدْ أَحْدَ

I heard Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) say: "Whoever intentionally kills himself will be in the Fire of Hell, abiding therein forever." Imam (as) was asked: "What if he had made a will (waṣiyyah) and then deliberately killed himself immediately after? Will his will be carried out?" Imam (as) replied

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ اَلْحَسَنِ اَلصَّفَّارُ رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ اَلْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ : رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلَيْنِ أَ يَجُوزُ لِأَحَدِهِمَا أَنْ يَنْفَرِدَ بِنِصْفِ اَلتَّرِكَةِ وَ اَلْآخَرِ بِالنِّصْفِ فَوَقَّعَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "لاَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُمَا أَنْ يُخَالِفَا اَلْمَيِّتَ وَ يَعْمَلاَنِ عَلَى حَسَبِ مَا أَمَرَهُمَا إِنْ شَاءَ اَللَّهُ".

Hadith.5471 - Muhammad ibn Al-Hasan Al-Ṣaffar (may Allah (swt) be pleased with him) wrote to Abu Muhammad Imam Hasan ibn Ali Al-Askari (as) asking: "A man appointed two individuals as executors of his will. Is it permissible for one of them to independently handle half of the inheritance and the other to manage the oth

أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ خُذْ نِصْفَ مَا تَرَكَ وَ أَعْطِنِي النِّصْفَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ فَأَبَى عَلَيْهِ الْآخَرُ فَسَأَلُوا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ذَاكَ لَهُ‌[1].

Hadith.5472 - In the book of Muhammad ibn Yaʿqub Al-Kulayni (may Allah (swt) have mercy on him), narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ali ibn Al-Hasan Al-Mithami, from his two brothers Muhammad and Ahmad, from their father, from Dawud ibn Abi Yazid, from Burayd ibn Muawiyah, it is reported: A man passed away and appo

الشَّيْ‌ءُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع وَاحِدٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ[1].

Hadith.5473 - Aban ibn Taghlib narrated from Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain (as) that Imam (as) was asked about a man who made a bequest (waṣiyyah) of something from his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "The portion specified in the Book of (Imam) Ali (as) is one out of six parts."

السَّهْمُ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ ثَمَانِيَةٍ لِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ وَ الْعامِلِينَ عَلَيْها وَ الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ فِي الرِّقابِ وَ الْغارِمِينَ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ ابْنِ السَّبِيلِ‌[2].

Hadith.5474 - Al-Sakuni narrated from Abu Abdullah (as) that he was asked about a man who bequeaths a share (sahm) of his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "The share is one out of eight parts, based on the saying of Allah (swt), the Mighty and Majestic: "Indeed, the charities are only for the poor, the needy, those employed

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ‌ أَنَّ السَّهْمَ وَاحِدٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ[3].

Hadith.5475 - It has been narrated that "the share is one out of six."

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِجُزْءٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ فَقَالَ جُزْءٌ مِنْ عَشَرَةٍ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ثُمَّ اجْعَلْ عَلى‌ كُلِّ جَبَلٍ مِنْهُنَّ جُزْءاً وَ كَانَتِ الْجِبَالُ عَشَرَةً.

I asked Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) about a man who bequeathed a portion of his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "A portion is one-tenth." Allah (swt), the Almighty, said: "Then place on every mountain a portion (juz') of them" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:260), and the mountains were ten.

سُبُعُ ثُلُثِهِ‌[1].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who bequeathed a portion of his wealth. Imam (as) replied: "It is one-seventh of his one-third share."

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْعَسْكَرِيَّ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِمَالٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ شِيعَتُنَا[2].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan Al-Askari, (Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi (as)) about a man who made a will to dedicate wealth "in the way of Allah (swt)" (fi sabeelillah). Imam (as) replied: "The way of Allah (swt) is our Shia (followers)."

لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ لِي اصْرِفْهُ فِي الْحَجِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فِي السَّبِيلِ قَالَ اصْرِفْهُ فِي الْحَجِّ فَإِنِّي لَا أَعْلَمُ سَبِيلًا مِنْ سُبُلِهِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْحَجِ‌[3]. قَالَ: سَبِيلُ اللَّهِ شِيعَتُنَا.

I said to Abu Abdullah (as), "A man made a will to me regarding something in the way of Allah (swt)." Imam (as) said to me: "Use it for Hajj." I said: "He made a will to me in the way." Imam (as) said: "Use it for Hajj, for I do not know of any path among His (swt) paths better than Hajj."

يَغْرَمُهَا وَصِيُّهُ وَ يَجْعَلُهَا فِي حَجَّةٍ كَمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ فَمَنْ بَدَّلَهُ بَعْدَ ما سَمِعَهُ فَإِنَّما إِثْمُهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُ‌.

Hadith.5480 - Muhammad bin Sinan narrated from Ibn Maskan from Abu Sa'id from Abu Abdullah (as) who was asked about a man who made a will for a Hajj and designated it as a will in favor of a person. Imam (as) said: "His executor must fulfill it and ensure it is carried out as a Hajj, just as he had bequeathed. For Alla

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى رَجُلٍ وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُعْتِقَ عَنْهُ نَسَمَةً بِسِتِّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ فَانْطَلَقَ الْوَصِيُّ فَأَعْطَى السِّتَّمِائَةِ رَجُلًا يَحُجُّ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَرَى أَنْ يَغْرَمَ الْوَصِيُّ سِتَّمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ يَجْعَلَهَا فِيمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ الْمَيِّتُ فِي نَسَمَةٍ[2].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as) about a man who made a will to another man, instructing him to free a soul (a slave) for six hundred dirhams from his one-third share of the inheritance. However, the executor instead gave the six hundred dirhams to a man to perform Hajj on behalf of the deceased. Abu Abdullah (as) said: "I be

أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ وَ فُقَهَاءَ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالُوا تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَلَمَّا لَقِيتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ الْحَسَنِ فِي الطَّوَافِ سَأَلْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ مَاتَ وَ أَوْصَى بِتَرِكَتِهِ إِلَيَّ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَحُجَّ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَنَظَرْتُ فِي ذَلِكَ‌ فَلَمْ يَكْفِ لِلْحَجِّ فَسَأَلْتُ مَنْ عِنْدَنَا مِنَ الْفُقَهَاءِ فَقَالُوا تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا عَنْهُ فَ

A man entrusted me with his estate and instructed me to perform Hajj on his behalf. When I examined the amount, I found it to be very little and insufficient for Hajj. I asked Abu Hanifa and the jurists of Kufa, and they said: 'Give it in charity on his behalf'. Later, when I met Abdullah ibn Al-Hasan during Tawaf, I a

لِأَعْمَامِهِ الثُّلُثَانِ وَ لِأَخْوَالِهِ الثُّلُثُ‌[2].

Hadith.5483 - Al-Hasan bin Mahbub narrated from Ali bin Ri'ab, from Zurara, from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) regarding a man who bequeathed one-third of his wealth to his paternal uncles and maternal uncles. Imam (as) said: "Two-thirds are for his paternal uncles, and one-third is for his maternal unc

وَ كَتَبَ سَهْلُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ الْأَدَمِيُّ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌ رَجُلٌ لَهُ وُلْدٌ ذُكُورٌ وَ إِنَاثٌ فَأَقَرَّ بِضَيْعَةٍ أَنَّهَا لِوُلْدِهِ وَ لَمْ يَذْكُرْ أَنَّهَا بَيْنَهُمْ عَلَى سِهَامِ اللَّهِ وَ فَرَائِضِهِ الذَّكَرُ وَ الْأُنْثَى فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ فَوَقَّعَ ع يُنْفِذُونَ وَصِيَّةَ أَبِيهِمْ عَلَى مَا سَمَّى فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ سَمَّى شَيْئاً رَدُّوهَا عَلَى كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ‌

Hadith.5484 - Sahl bin Ziyad Al-Adami wrote to Abu Muhammad (as) about a man who had sons and daughters and acknowledged that a piece of land belonged to his children without specifying, whether it should be divided according to Allah's (swt) shares and obligations, where the male receives double the share of the femal

وَ كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارُ[2] رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع‌ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فِي مَوَالِيهِ وَ مَوْلَيَاتِهِ‌[3] 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 تَعَالَى‌[4].

Hadith.5485 - Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Saffar, may Allah (swt) be pleased with him, wrote to Abu Muhammad Imam Hasan ibn Ali Al-Askari (as) regarding a man who bequeathed one-third of his wealth to his male and female servants, either equally or with the instruction that "the male should receive the share of two female

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ وَ أَشْرَكَ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ مَعَهَا صَبِيّاً فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ وَ تُمْضِي الْمَرْأَةُ الْوَصِيَّةَ وَ لَا تَنْتَظِرُ بُلُوغَ 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[5].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who appointed a woman as his executor and included a child with her in the will. Imam (as) said: "This is permissible. The woman should carry out the will and does not need to wait for the child to reach maturity. However, when the child grows up, he has no right to object unless t

وَ كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ الصَّفَّارُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ ع‌ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى إِلَى وَلَدِهِ وَ فِيهِمْ كِبَارٌ قَدْ أَدْرَكُوا[6] وَ فِيهِمْ صِغَارٌ أَ يَجُوزُ لِلْكِبَارِ أَنْ يُنْفِذُوا الْوَصِيَّةَ وَ يَقْضُوا دَيْنَهُ لِمَنْ صَحَّحَ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ بِشُهُودٍ عُدُولٍ‌[1] قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَ الصِّغَارُ فَوَقَّعَ ع عَلَى الْأَكَابِرِ مِنَ الْوُلْدِ أَنْ يَقْضُ

Hadith.5487 - Muhammad bin Al-Hasan Al-Saffar, may Allah (swt) be pleased with him, wrote to Abu Muhammad Imam Hasan ibn Ali Al-Askari (as) about a man who made his children the executors of his will, among them adults who are mature and minors who are not mature yet. He asked if it was permissible for the adults to ex

أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي الثَّانِيَ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُعْطِيَ عَمّاً لَهُ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ شَيْئاً فَمَاتَ الْعَمُّ فَكَتَبَ ع أَعْطِ وَرَثَتَهُ‌[3].

I asked Abu Ja'far Al-Thani (as), (the second (as)), about a man who had appointed me as his executor and instructed to give something to his uncle every year. The uncle then passed away. Abu Jafar (as) wrote in response: "Give it to his heirs."

الْوَصِيَّةُ لِوَارِثِ الَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ وَ قَالَ ع مَنْ أَوْصَى لِأَحَدٍ شَاهِدٍ أَوْ غَائِبٍ فَتُوُفِّيَ الْمُوصَى لَهُ قَبْلَ الْمُوصِي فَالْوَصِيَّةُ لِوَارِثِ الَّذِي أُوصِيَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ‌[4].

"Commander of the Faithful (as) ruled concerning a man who made a bequest to another, but the person to whom the bequest was made was absent and died before the one who made the bequest. Imam (as) said: 'The bequest is for the heir of the one to whom it was made.' Imam (as) also said: 'Whoever makes a bequest to someon

اطْلُبْ لَهُ وَارِثاً أَوْ مَوْلًى فَادْفَعْهَا إِلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يُعْلَمْ لَهُ وَلِيُّ قَالَ اجْهَدْ أَنْ تَقْدِرَ لَهُ عَلَى وَلِيٍّ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْهُ وَ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْكَ الْجَهْدَ فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهَا[2].

I asked Imam (as) about a man for whom a bequest was made, but he died before receiving it and left no offspring. Imam (as) said: "Seek an heir or his mawla (guardian) and give it to him." I asked: "What if no heir is known?" Imam (as) replied: "Exert yourself in searching for an heir for him, and if you cannot find on

أَبَا حَنِيفَةَ فَقَالَ يُجْعَلُ ذَلِكَ أَثْلَاثاً ثُلُثاً فِي الْحَجِّ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الْعِتْقِ وَ ثُلُثاً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ امْرَأَةً مِنْ أَهْلِي مَاتَتْ وَ أَوْصَتْ إِلَيَّ بِثُلُثِ مَالِهَا وَ أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُعْتَقَ عَنْهَا وَ يُحَجَّ عَنْهَا وَ يُتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهَا فَنَظَرْتُ فِيهِ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ فَقَالَ ع ابْدَأْ بِالْحَجِّ فَإِنَّهُ فَرِيضَةٌ مِنْ فَرَ

A woman from my family entrusted me with her wealth and instructed that emancipation (of slaves) be made on her behalf, that Hajj be performed, and that charity be given. However, the amount left was insufficient to cover all that. I consulted Abu Hanifah, and he said: "It should be divided into three parts - one-third

لَهُمَا أَنْتُمَا أَحْرَارٌ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ فَاشْهَدَا أَنَّ مَا فِي بَطْنِ جَارِيَتِي هَذِهِ مِنِّي فَوَلَدَتْ غُلَاماً فَلَمَّا قَدِمُوا عَلَى الْوَرَثَةِ أَنْكَرُوا ذَلِكَ وَ اسْتَرَقُّوهُمْ ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْغُلَامَيْنِ أُعْتِقَا بَعْدُ فَشَهِدَا بَعْدَ مَا أُعْتِقَا أَنَّ مَوْلَيهُمَا الْأَوَّلَ أَشْهَدَهُمَا أَنَّ مَا فِي بَطْنِ جَارِيَتِهِ مِنْهُ قَالَ تَجُوزُ شَهَادَتُهُمَا لِلْغُلَامِ وَ لَا يَسْتَرِقَّهُمَا ا

Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) was asked about a man who was on a journey with a female slave and two male servant slaves. The man said to the two male slaves, "You both are free for the sake of Allah (swt). Bear witness that what is in the womb of this bondwoman is from me." Later, the bondwoman ga

أَعْتِقْ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً حَتَّى ذَكَرَ خَمْسَةً فَنُظِرَ فِي ثُلُثِهِ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ ثُلُثُهُ أَثْمَانَ قِيمَةِ الْمَمَالِيكِ الْخَمْسَةِ الَّذِينَ أَمَرَ بِعِتْقِهِمْ‌[3] قَالَ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى الَّذِينَ سَمَّاهُمْ وَ بَدَأَ بِعِتْقِهِمْ فَيُقَوَّمُونَ وَ يُنْظَرُ إِلَى ثُلُثِهِ فَيُعْتَقُ مِنْهُ أَوَّلُ شَيْ‌ءٍ ذَكَرَ ثُمَّ الثَّانِي وَ الثَّالِثُ ثُمَّ الرَّابِعُ ثُمَّ الْخَامِسُ فَإِنْ عَجَزَ الثّ

Hadith.5493 - Al-Hasan ibn Mahbub narrated from Abu Jamilah from Humran from Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as) regarding a man who, on his deathbed, made a will saying, "Free so-and-so, and so-and-so, and so-and-so," until he mentioned five individuals. When his estate was assessed, it was found that one-th

يُمْضَى عِتْقُ الْغُلَامِ وَ يَكُونُ النُّقْصَانُ فِيمَا بَقِيَ‌[4].

I asked Imam (as) about a man who, when death approached him, freed his slave and made a will, but the total of his bequests exceeded one-third of his estate. Imam (as) replied: "The emancipation of the slave is to be carried out, and any reduction should be applied to what remains (of the bequests beyond the one-third

يُبْدَأُ بِالْعِتْقِ فَيُنْفَذُ[5].

Hadith.5495 - Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa narrated from Abu Hammam Ismail ibn Hammam from Abu Al-Hasan (as) regarding a man who, at the time of his death, made a will bequeathing wealth to his relatives and also freed a slave. However, the total of what he bequeathed exceeded one-third of his estate. He was asked how th

وَ رَوَى النَّضْرُ بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ مَادٍّ عَنِ الْجَازِيِ‌[1] عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي رَجُلٍ تُوُفِّيَ فَتَرَكَ جَارِيَةً أَعْتَقَ ثُلُثَهَا فَتَزَوَّجَهَا الْوَصِيُّ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُقْسَمَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الْمِيرَاثِ أَنَّهَا تُقَوَّمُ وَ تُسْتَسْعَى هِيَ وَ زَوْجُهَا فِي بَقِيَّةِ ثَمَنِهَا بَعْدَ مَا تُقَوَّمُ فَمَا أَصَابَ الْمَرْأَةَ مِنْ عِتْقٍ أَوْ رِقٍّ جَرَى عَلَى وَلَدِهَا[2].

Hadith.5496 - Al-Nadr ibn Shuayb narrated from Khalid ibn Maad from Al-Jazi from Abu Abdullah (as) regarding a man who passed away and left behind a slave woman of whom he had freed one-third. The executor of his will married her before any division of the inheritance had taken place. Imam (as) said: "She should be app

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ تَحْضُرُهُ الْوَفَاةُ وَ لَهُ مَمَالِيكُ لِخَاصَّةِ نَفْسِهِ وَ مَمَالِيكُ فِي الشِّرْكَةِ مَعَ رَجُلٍ آخَرَ فَيُوصِي فِي وَصِيَّتِهِ مَمَالِيكِي أَحْرَارٌ مَا خَلَا مَمَالِيكِيَ الَّذِينَ فِي الشِّرْكَةِ[4] فَكَتَبَ ع يُقَوَّمُونَ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كَانَ مَالُهُ يَحْتَمِلُ‌[5] ثُمَّ هُمْ‌

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who was on his deathbed and had slaves solely for himself and others jointly owned with another person. In his will, he stated, "My slaves are free, except for those who are in partnership." Imam (as) wrote in response: "They should be appraised against his estate, and if his wealt

لَهُ إِنَّ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ أَوْصَى أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَنْهُ رَقَبَةً فَأَعْتَقْتُ عَنْهُ امْرَأَةً أَ فَتُجْزِيهِ أَوْ أُعْتِقُ عَنْهُ مِنْ مَالِي قَالَ يُجْزِيهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ أُمَّ ابْنِي أَوْصَتْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَنْهَا رَقَبَةً فَأَعْتَقْتُ عَنْهَا امْرَأَةً[3].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), "Alqamah ibn Muhammad instructed me in his will to free a slave on his behalf, so I freed a female slave for him. Is that sufficient, or should I free another from my own wealth?" Imam (as) replied: "It suffices him." Then Imam (as) added, "Indeed, Faṭimah, the mother of my son, had instructe

إِنْ كَانَ صَرُورَةً حُجَّ عَنْهُ مِنْ وَسَطِ الْمَالِ‌[4] وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَيْرَ صَرُورَةٍ فَمِنَ الثُّلُثِ‌[5].

I asked Imam (as) about a man who died and had instructed that Hajj be performed on his behalf. Imam (as) replied: "If he had never performed Hajj (was a ṣarurah), then Hajj should be performed on his behalf from the middle of his wealth. But if he was not a ṣarurah, then it should be performed from one-third of his we

وَ قَالَ‌ فِي امْرَأَةٍ أَوْصَتْ بِمَالٍ فِي عِتْقٍ وَ حَجٍّ وَ صَدَقَةٍ فَلَمْ يَبْلُغْ قَالَ ابْدَأْ بِالْحَجِّ فَإِنَّهُ مَفْرُوضٌ فَإِنْ بَقِيَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاجْعَلْ فِي الصَّدَقَةِ طَائِفَةً وَ فِي الْعِتْقِ طَائِفَةً[6].

Hadith.5500 - And Imam (as) said regarding a woman who bequeathed her wealth for emancipation (freeing slaves), performing Hajj, and giving charity, but her wealth was insufficient: "Begin with Hajj because it is an obligation. If anything remains, allocate a portion for charity and a portion for emancipation."

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى بِثَلَاثِينَ دِينَاراً يُعْتَقُ بِهَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يُوجَدْ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ يُشْتَرَى‌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُعْتَقُ‌[1].

I asked Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who bequeathed thirty dinar for the emancipation of a man from among our companions, but no such person was found. Imam (as) said: "A person should be purchased from among the people and then emancipated."

وَ رَوَى عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْهُ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ‌ فَلْيَشْتَرُوا مِنْ عُرْضِ النَّاسِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ نَاصِبِيّاً[2].

Hadith.5502 - Ali ibn Abi Hamzah narrated from Imam (as) that he said: "Then let them purchase from among the general people as long as he is not a Naṣibi (one who harbors enmity towards the Ahl Al-Bayt (as))."

وَ رَوَى أَبَانُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ عَنِ الشَّيْخِ يَعْنِي مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ‌ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ سِتِّينَ مَمْلُوكاً فَأَعْتَقَ ثُلُثَهُمْ فَأَقْرَعْتُ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ أَعْتَقْتُ الثُّلُثَ.

Hadith.5503 - Aban ibn Uthman narrated from Muhammad ibn Marwan from the Shaykh, meaning Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as), from his father, Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as), peace be upon them both, that Imam (as) said: "Indeed, Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), passed away and left six

أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ مُحَرَّرَةٍ كَانَ أَعْتَقَهَا أَخِي وَ قَدْ كَانَتْ تَخْدُمُ الْجَوَارِيَ وَ كَانَتْ فِي عِيَالِهِ فَأَوْصَانِي أَنْ أُنْفِقَ عَلَيْهَا مِنَ الْوَسَطِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مَعَ الْجَوَارِي وَ أَقَامَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَأَنْفِقْ عَلَيْهَا وَ اتَّبِعْ وَصِيَّتَهُ‌[3].

I asked Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir (as), about a freed woman whom my brother had emancipated. She used to serve the maidservants and was living among his family. He had instructed me to spend on her moderately. Abu Jafar (as), said: "If she remained with the maidservants and continued serving them, then s

أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَوْصَى أَنْ يُعْتَقَ عَنْهُ نَسَمَةٌ مِنْ ثُلُثِهِ بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَاشْتَرَى الْوَصِيُّ نَسَمَةً بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ فَضَلَتْ فَضْلَةٌ فَمَا تَرَى فِي الْفَضْلَةِ قَالَ تُدْفَعُ إِلَى النَّسَمَةِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تُعْتَقَ ثُمَّ تُعْتَقُ عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ‌[4].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who had made a will that a soul be freed on his behalf from one-third of his wealth with five hundred dirhams. The executor of the will bought a soul for less than five hundred, and some amount remained. What do you say about the remaining amount? Imam (as) said: "It should be giv

أَهْلُ الْمِيرَاثِ لَا تَجُوزُ وَصِيَّتُهَا لَهُ إِنَّهُ مُكَاتَبٌ لَمْ يُعْتَقْ فَقَضَى ع أَنَّهُ يَرِثُ بِحِسَابِ مَا أُعْتِقَ مِنْهُ وَ يَجُوزُ لَهُ مِنَ الْوَصِيَّةِ بِحِسَابِ مَا أُعْتِقَ مِنْهُ وَ قَضَى ع فِي مُكَاتَبٍ أُوصِيَ لَهُ بِوَصِيَّةٍ وَ قَدْ قَضَى نِصْفَ مَا عَلَيْهِ فَأَجَازَ لَهُ نِصْفَ الْوَصِيَّةِ وَ قَضَى فِي مُكَاتَبٍ قَضَى رُبُعَ مَا عَلَيْهِ فَأُوصِيَ لَهُ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَأَجَازَ لَهُ رُبُعَ الْ

"The Commander of the Faithful (as), peace be upon him, ruled concerning a contracted slave (mukatab) who was married to a free woman. She made a bequest for him at the time of her death. Imam (as) said: 'The people entitled to inheritance cannot have her will executed for him because he is a mukatab who has not been f

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 فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ تُعْتَقُ مِنْ ثُلُثِ الْمَيِّتِ وَ تُعْطَى مَا أَوْصَى لَهَا بِهِ‌[2].

I asked Abu Abdullah (as), about a man who had a slave woman with whom he had a son. When death approached him, he bequeathed for her two thousand dirhams or more and instructed his heirs to enslave her. Imam (as) said: "No, rather she should be freed from one-third of the deceased's estate and given what he had bequea

وَ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ الْبَزَنْطِيِّ قَالَ‌ نَسَخْتُ مِنْ كِتَابٍ بِخَطِّ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فُلَانٌ مَوْلَاكَ تُوُفِّيَ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ فَتَرَكَ أُمَّ وَلَدٍ لَهُ لَيْسَ لَهَا وَلَدٌ وَ أَوْصَى لَهَا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ هَلْ تَجُوزُ الْوَصِيَّةُ وَ هَلْ يَقَعُ عَلَيْهَا عِتْقٌ وَ مَا حَالُهَا رَأْيَكَ فَدَتْكَ نَفْسِي فِي ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ ع تُعْتَقُ مِنَ الثُّلُثِ وَ لَهَا الْوَصِيَّةُ

I copied from a book in the handwriting of Abu Al-Hasan (as): "A certain person, your master, passed away, leaving behind a paternal nephew who also passed away. The nephew left behind an umm walad (a concubine who bore him no children) and bequeathed to her a thousand dirhams. Does the bequest hold validity, and does

لَهُ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ النَّصْلُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ السَّيْفُ فَقَالَ لَا بَلِ السَّيْفُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَوْصَى بِصُنْدُوقٍ لِرَجُلٍ وَ كَانَ فِيهِ مَالٌ فَقَالَ الْوَرَثَةُ إِنَّمَا لَكَ الصُّنْدُوقُ وَ لَيْسَ لَكَ الْمَالُ فَقَالَ الصُّنْدُوقُ بِمَا فِيهِ لَهُ.

I asked him about a man who bequeathed a sword to another man, and the sword was in its sheath and adorned with decorations. The heirs said to him, "Only the blade belongs to you, not the sword (with its accessories)." Imam (as) said: "No, rather the sword with everything it contains belongs to him." I said to Imam (as

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 اسْتَثْنَى مَا فِيهَا وَ لَيْسَ لِلْوَرَثَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[2].

I asked Imam (as) about a man who said: "This ship belongs to so-and-so," without specifying what was inside it, and there was food in it. Should the man be given the ship and what is inside it? Imam (as) said: "It belongs to the one to whom it was bequeathed, unless its owner explicitly excluded what was inside it. Th

إِنْ قَامَ رَجُلٌ ثِقَةٌ قَاسَمَهُمْ ذَلِكَ كُلَّهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ‌[3].

I asked Imam (as) about a man who died and left behind sons and daughters, both young and old, without leaving a will. He also had servants, slaves, and jewelry. How should the heirs divide that inheritance? Imam (as) said: "If a trustworthy man undertakes the division of all that among them, then there is no harm in i

أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَهُ قَرَابَةٌ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ أَوْلَاداً صِغَاراً وَ تَرَكَ مَمَالِيكَ لَهُ غِلْمَاناً وَ جَوَارِيَ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ فَمَا تَرَى فِيمَنْ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُمُ الْجَارِيَةَ فَيَتَّخِذُهَا أُمَّ وَلَدٍ وَ مَا تَرَى فِي بَيْعِهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُمْ وَلِيٌّ يَقُومُ بِأَمْرِهِمْ بَاعَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ نَظَرَ لَهُمْ كَانَ مَأْجُوراً فِيهِمْ قُلْتُ فَمَا تَرَى فِيمَنْ يَشْ

I asked Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as), about a man related to me who died and left behind young children and male and female slaves. He did not leave a will. What is your opinion regarding someone who buys a female slave from them and takes her as an umm walad (a concubine who bears a child)? And what

إِلَيْهِ يَعْنِي عَلِيَّ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ إِنْسَانٍ أَوْصَى بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَحْفَظِ الْوَصِيُّ إِلَّا بَاباً وَاحِداً مِنْهَا كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ فِي الْبَاقِي فَوَقَّعَ ع الْأَبْوَابَ الْبَاقِيَةَ اجْعَلْهَا فِي الْبِرِّ[1].

I wrote to Imam (as) - meaning Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi (as) - asking about a person who had made a will, but the executor only remembered one part of it. What should be done with the remaining parts? Imam (as) replied: "Allocate the remaining parts to charitable acts."

مَعَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى هَلْ لِلْوَصِيِّ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَ شَيْئاً مِنْ مَالِ الْمَيِّتِ إِذَا بِيعَ فِيمَنْ زَادَ يَزِيدُ[2] وَ يَأْخُذُ لِنَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ يَجُوزُ إِذَا اشْتَرَى صَحِيحاً[3].

I wrote along with Muhammad ibn Yahya asking whether the executor of a will is permitted to purchase something from the deceased's estate when it is sold to the highest bidder and take it for himself. Imam (as) replied: "It is permissible if he purchases it properly."

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي اَلْحَسَنِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ اَلسَّرِيِّ تُوُفِّيَ وَ أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ "رَحِمَهُ اَللَّهُ" قُلْتُ وَ إِنَّ اِبْنَهُ جَعْفَراً وَقَعَ عَلَى أُمِّ وَلَدٍ لَهُ فَأَمَرَنِي أَنْ أُخْرِجَهُ مِنَ اَلْمِيرَاثِ فَقَالَ لِي "أَخْرِجْهُ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَسَيُصِيبُهُ خَبَلٌ " قَالَ فَرَجَعْتُ فَقَدَّمَنِي إِلَى أَبِي يُوسُفَ اَلْقَاضِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْلَحَكَ اَللَّهُ أَنَا جَعْف

I said to Abu Al-Hasan (as): "Ali ibn Al-Sari has passed away and appointed me as his executor." Imam (as) said: "May Allah (swt) have mercy on him." I said: "His son Ja'far committed an act with his father's umm walad (concubine), and he instructed me to exclude him from the inheritance." Imam (as) said: "Exclude him

وَ تَصْدِيقُ ذَلِكَ مَا رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَبْدِ اَلْعَزِيزِ بْنِ اَلْمُهْتَدِي عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ قَالَ : سَأَلْتُهُ يَعْنِي أَبَا اَلْحَسَنِ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ لَهُ اِبْنٌ يَدَّعِيهِ فَنَفَاهُ وَ أَخْرَجَهُ مِنَ اَلْمِيرَاثِ وَ أَنَا وَصِيُّهُ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ "لَزِمَهُ اَلْوَلَدُ لِإِقْرَارِهِ بِالْمَشْهَدِ لاَ يَدْفَع

'I asked Imam (as) - meaning Abu Al-Hasan Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (as) - about a man who had a son whom he acknowledged and then later disowned, excluding him from the inheritance. I am his executor, so what should I do?' Imam (as) said: "The son remains legally his due to his prior public acknowledgment. The execut

انْقِطَاعُ يُتْمِ الْيَتِيمِ الِاحْتِلَامُ وَ هُوَ أَشُدُّهُ وَ إِنِ احْتَلَمَ وَ لَمْ يُؤْنَسْ مِنْهُ رُشْدُهُ وَ كَانَ سَفِيهاً أَوْ ضَعِيفاً فَلْيُمْسِكْ عَنْهُ وَلِيُّهُ مَالَهُ[2].

وَ إِنِ احْتَلَمَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ عَقْلٌ لَمْ يُدْفَعْ إِلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَبَداً[1].

I asked Imam (as) about an orphan who had memorized the Qur'an and had no deficiency in his intellect. The one holding his wealth wishes to invest it until the orphan reaches puberty and then hand over his wealth to him. Imam (as) said: "Even if he reaches puberty but does not have sound intellect, nothing should ever