are there? - Islam Center

145
other reason; 2) That the suckling is within the two years of the baby’s life; 3) That
the baby is breastfed five definite separate times of suckling or more. What is
meant by suckling here is to suck the nipple of the breast until milk is extracted,
and it is not necessary that he becomes fully satisfied. Rada’ah does not establish
the right of continual payment of expenses or of inheritance.
Last will and testimony (Wasiyyah): 1 To make a last will and testimony is
obligatory for the person who owes other people something for which they do not
have a proof or legal document. In this case, he wills the fulfillment to those people.
It is a Sunnah for the wealthy person to bestow a fifth of his wealth to the poor
relatives who are not of his legal inheritors (as determined in Islamic law) or to
some poor people or scholars or righteous persons.
It is disliked that a poor person bequeaths some of his property when he has
inheritors, unless those heirs are wealthy as, in that case, it is allowed. It is
forbidden to bequeath more than a third of one’s wealth to other than his inheritors.
It is also forbidden to bequeath even a small amount small to the determined
inheritors unless the other heirs allow it after his death.
The will is void if the testator says, “I have gone back on this,” “I have nullified
this,” “I have changed my mind,” or likewise.
It is good that he writes in the beginning of his will as follows: “In the Name of
Allah the Most Comprehensive in Mercy, Most Merciful. This is what ‘name of the
testator’ willed: that he testifies that there is none that has the right to be
worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger, and that
Paradise is real, and that Hellfire is real, and that the Hour of Resurrection is
coming of which there is no doubt, and that Allah will resurrect those who are in
the graves. I will that those who are left behind of my family should fear Allah in
His rights and rectify their affairs among themselves, and that they should obey
Allah and His Messenger if they are truly believers. I enjoin upon them that which
Ibraheem enjoined on his sons when he died: ‘O my sons, Verily, Allah chose for
you the religion, so do not die except as Muslims.’”
It is recommended that those that send salutation of peace and blessing of Allah
upon the Prophet () combine both as-Salat (here meaning to bless, extol and
praise) and as-Salam (here meaning peace and security from all derogation).
It is disliked to say, “Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him” for other than
the prophets, saying for instance Abu Bakr ‘sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam’ (peace
and blessing of Allah be upon him) or ‘alaihis-Salam’ (peace be upon him), and yet
it is allowed by consensus to say this for them in conjunction with and following
with the Prophets, like the saying ‘Allahumma salli ala Muahammd wa ala Aali
Muahammad wa as-haabihi wa azwaajihi wa Dhuhriyyatihi’
(O Allah your peace be upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and
his companions and wives and descendents).
1 Note that the last will and testimony mentioned here is other than the inheritance rights that are
determined amounts given by obligation to the specific categories of relatives as enumerated in
detail in the Qur’an and Sunnah.