A man with little wealth: should he make a bequest from it?

Tawus reported that Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "When a dying person is leaving behind seven hundred dirhams, he should not make a bequest."

Hammam reported that Qatadah said, in explaining the saying of Allah, the Exalted: "if he leaves wealth, a bequest" [Al-Baqarah: 180]: At that time it was well known among people that good wealth is one thousand dirhams or more.

Urwah reported that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) came to a man of Banu Hashim to visit him in his illness. The man was about to make a bequest, but he forbade him and said: "Allah Almighty has said: 'If (the dying person) leaves wealth,' and you are not dying and leaving any wealth, so leave what there is for your children!"

Ibn Abi Mulaykah said: A man said to Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "I wish to make a bequest." She asked: "How much wealth do you have?" He said: "Three thousand." She asked: "How many members are there in your family?" He said: "Four." She said: "Allah Almighty has mentioned this condition: 'If he leaves wealth,' and what you have is a very small amount of wealth, so leave it for your children; that is more virtuous."