It is very important for all Muslims to make a will, at what age and how, we shall learn from the following traditions of Masomeen-asws:
(1)
روى محمد بن الفضيل، عن أبي الصباح الكناني عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال: ” سألته عن الوصية، فقال: هي حق على كل مسلم
Mohammed bin Faisel reports from Abi Alsabh that he asked from Abi Abdullah-asws regarding the will, Imam-asws replied: ‘Will is an essential duty of every Muslim.[1]
(2)
وروى العلاء، عن محمد بن مسلم قال أبو جعفر (عليه السلام): ” الوصية حق، وقد أوصى رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله)، فينبغي للمسلم أن يوصي
It is narrated from Mohammed Bin Muslim who heard from Imam Abu Jafar-asws: The will is an obligation, and Messenger of Allah-saww, has also left will, it is the duty of all Muslim to do the same.[2]
ا يمن الله تبارك وتعالى به على عبده عند الوفاة من رد بصره وسمعه وعقله ليوصي
Allah-azwj blesses His-azwj slave before his death with restoring his sight, hearing and mind to enable him to leave a will behind.
(3)
روى محمد بن أبى عمير، عن حماد بن عثمان قال: قال أبو عبد الله (عليه السلام): ” مامن ميت تحضره الوفاة إلا رد الله عليه من سمعه وبصره وعقله للوصية أخذ الوصية أو ترك وهي الراحة التي يقال لها راحة الموت، فهي حق على كل مسلم “
Mohammed bin Abi Youmar reports from Hamad bin Usman who heard from Abu Abdullah-asws: Allah azwj restores His servants vision, hearing and mind so that he may make will. It, however, depends on him to leave will or not but this is the comfort extended to him before death. This is the right of each Muslim (to be relieved so that he may leave will).[3]
Abandoning will is Disliked (Makruh)
(4)
أبي نعيم، عن أبي حمزة، عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: إن الله تبارك وتعالى يقول: [ يا ] ابن آدم تطولت عليك بثلاث: سترت عليك ما لو يعلم به أهلك ما واروك وأوسعت عليك فاستقرضت منك فلم تقدم خيرا، وجعلت لك نظرة عند موتك في ثلثك فلم تقدم
خيرا.
Abi Naeem narrates from Abi Hamza who heard from Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws: Allah-azwj Says : [ O ] the sons of Adam I-azwj blessed you with three :1) concealed your sins from your family, if they come to know about your sins they would not (bother to) bury you. 2) I-azwj gave you wealth and asked for a loan from you (to give to poor) but you didn’t give it for good causes. 3) Before your death I-azwj returned back your senses, so that you may leave behind a will for good causes in wealth (maximum up to one third of wealth) but you didn’t consider it.[4]
The Earliest One may Make a Will
(5)
روى محمد بن أبي عمير عن أبان بن عثمان، عن عبد الرحمن بن أبى عبد الله عن أبى عبد الله (عليه السلام) أنه قال: ” إذا بلغ الغلام عشر سنين جازت وصيته
It is narrated by Mohammed that he heard from Abi Umar, who from Aban bin Usman who from Abdul Rahman who from Imam Abi Abdullah-asws: ” Upon reaching at the age of 10, a boy can make a will.[5]
Preferred amount for will
(6)
روى السكوني، عن جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه، عن آبائه (عليهم السلام) قال: ” قال: أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام): الوصية بالخمس لان الله عزوجل رضى لنفسه بالخمس، وقال الخمس اقتصاد، والربع جهد، والثلث حيف “
Al-Sakuni heard from Imam Jafar bin Mohammed-asws who from his father-asws who from his father-asws that Amir-ul-Momaneen-asws said: The will should be in one fifth, because Allah-azwj has preferred one fifth for Himself-azwj (for charity). So one fifth is preferred as the quarter would be unbearable but one third would be injustice “[6]
[1] Manlayazahooul faqi Vol-4.Page-181
[2] Manlayazahooul faqi Vol-4.Page-181
[3] Manlayazahooul faqi Vol-4.Page-180
[4] Al-khisal Vol-1.Page 136.
[5] Manlayazahooul faqi Vol-4.Page-196
[6] Manlayazahooul faqi Vol-4.Page-185