Bequeathing to a Jew or Christian and Those Who Permitted It

Yahya bin Saeed reports that it has reached me that Hazrat Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) made a bequest of much wealth for her relatives, and there were many Jews in her family who, if they had become Muslim, would have been her heirs. But because they were disbelievers, the Muslims of her family became her heirs, and thus her bequest was carried out in favor of those who were not Muslim.

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

It is narrated from Muhammad that he says: A person's will is permissible, whether it is for a dhimmi or for someone else.

Hakam narrates that Ibrahim used to say that making a will in favor of a Jew, Christian, Magian, and a slave is permissible.

Laith narrates from Hazrat Ata that one of the noble wives of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) made a bequest for her Jewish relatives.

Jabir narrates from Hazrat Amir that he said: There is no harm in making a will in favor of a Jew or a Christian.

Qatadah, in the commentary of verse {إلاَّ أَنْ تَفْعَلُوا إلَی أَوْلِیَائِکُمْ مَعْرُوفًا }, states that in the verse, "awliya" refers to the "awliya" among the People of the Book, regarding whom the command is given that there is no inheritance for them, but a bequest (wasiyyah) can be made.

Ibn Jurayj says that I heard 'Ata' saying, when he was being asked about the ruling of making a will for the polytheists, he said: There is no harm in it.