A bequest to a Jew or a Christian: those who considered it permissible

Yahya bin Sa'id said: It reached me that Sayyidah Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) made a bequest of a great deal of wealth to relatives of hers among the Jews, who would have been her heirs had they been Muslims; but because of their being disbelievers, the Muslims of her family inherited from her. Therefore her bequest was carried out in favour of those who were not Muslims.

It is narrated from Nafi' that Sayyidah Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) made a bequest to some of her relatives who were Jews.

It is narrated from Muhammad (bin Sirin) that he said: A man's bequest is valid, whether it is for a dhimmi or for anyone else.

Al-Hakam reports that Ibrahim used to say: Making a bequest for a Jew, a Christian, a Magian and a slave is permissible.

Layth reports from Ata that one of the honoured wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made a bequest to her Jewish relatives.

Jabir reports from Amir that he said: There is no harm in making a bequest for a Jew or a Christian.

Qatadah said, in the explanation of the verse "except that you do a kindness to your allies" [Al-Ahzab: 6]: The allies (awliya) in the verse means allies from among the People of the Book, concerning whom this ruling was given: they have no inheritance, but a bequest may be made for them.

Ibn Jurayj said: I heard Ata say, when he was being asked about the ruling on making a bequest for polytheists: There is no harm in it.