Those who used to make bequests and considered it recommended

Qutham, the freed slave of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), said that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The executor of my will is my eldest son, without my finding any fault with him in the matter of the belly or the private parts."

Nafi' reported that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is not right for a Muslim man that even two nights should pass over him while he has something fit to bequeath and has not kept his bequest written with him."

Dawud reported that Amir said: "Whoever makes a bequest without wronging anyone in it or harming anyone will have as much reward as he would have received for giving charity in his lifetime, during the period of his health."

Ikrimah reported that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "Causing harm to someone by means of a bequest is one of the major sins." Then he recited this verse: "without causing harm; a command from Allah" [Al-Nisa: 12].

Sufyan reported that Habib said: Al-Hakam and I went to Sa'id bin Jubayr, and I asked him for the explanation of the verse: "And let those fear who, if they were to leave behind them weak offspring, would fear for them," up to the word "straight (sadid)." He said: "This refers to those people who are present with a dying man at the time of his death and advise him: 'Fear Allah!' and that he should give something to those present by way of maintaining ties and kindness, whereas if they themselves were in that man's place, they would wish to preserve it for their own children."

Then we came to Miqsam and asked him about this same verse too. He asked: "What did Sa'id say?" We said: "He said such and such." He said: "That is not correct. Rather, this verse concerns the man who is told at the time of his death: 'Fear Allah and hold on to your wealth, for no one has a greater right to your wealth than your children.' And if the one making the bequest were a relative of theirs, they would wish him to make a bequest for them."

Al-Qasim bin Amr said: My father fell ill, and I met Thumamah bin Hazn al-Qushayri, who asked me: "Has your father made a bequest?" I said: "No!" He said: "If you are able to have him make a bequest, then have him do so, for a bequest makes up for the shortfall in one's zakah."

Ikrimah reported that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "Causing harm to someone in a bequest is one of the major sins." Then he recited: "And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits, He will admit him to a Fire, abiding therein" [Al-Nisa: 14].

Ibrahim bin Maysarah said: I heard Tawus saying: "A Muslim who has a firm intention of making a bequest but dies without making one, his heirs ought to make a bequest on his behalf."

Ibrahim said: The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to dislike a man dying before making a bequest only until the verses of inheritance were revealed.

Talhah said: I asked Sayyiduna Ibn Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him): "Did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) make a bequest?" He said: "No!" I asked: "Then how were people ordered to make bequests?" He said: "He gave a bequest to act upon the Book of Allah."

Masruq reported that Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left neither a dinar nor a dirham, nor did he make a bequest of anything."

Arqam bin Shurahbil reported that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away without having made any bequest."

Al-Aswad said: It was mentioned in the presence of Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was the executor of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). She said: "When did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) make a bequest to him? I was supporting the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) against my lap when his blessed body went limp and he passed away. So when did he make a bequest to him?"