Final Rites [11292012] - AlHuda Sisters

for unlawful cases such as building public clubs, churches, etc. It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said: "If the people were to reduce (their bequests) to one-­‐quarter (of their wealth, that would be better), because the Messenger of Allah said: 'One-­‐third, and one-­‐third is much or large.'" (Sunan An-­‐Nasa’i, Sahih) Elements of a Will• To begin with the declaration of faith. • To advise and instruct the loved ones to do good and refrain from sins. o In the wasiyyah, one should advise and instruct his family, and loved ones to have taqwa of Allah, to recite, understand and act upon the Qur’an, to establish the salah and obey the laws and prohibitions of Allah, and to follow the Sunnah and refrain from bid’ah (innovations). • To advise and instruct them about funeral rites. o This will ensure that one's family and beloved ones do not participate in innovated practices regarding the burial. • To request the people to make du’aa, and not to wail and lament over one’s death, nor follow any practices of the ignorant (i.e. practices that are not according to the Quran and Sunnah). And Abraham instructed his sons [to do the same] and [so did] Jacob, [saying], "O my sons, indeed Allah has chosen for you this religion, so do not die except while you are Muslims." (Surah Al-­‐Baqarah, 2:132) • To declare all the rights, trusts and debts one owes the people • To appoint an executor and guardian who will be in charge of executing the will after one dies. • To bequeath part of the wealth. This should not exceed one-­‐third as mentioned earlier. • To emphasize the Islamic heirship. This is recommended in non-­‐Islamic countries in order to specify one's legal heirs and their correct shares. -­‐ 21 -­‐