✍ Written by: Hafiz Muti’ullah
Evidence from Hadith
❀ Narrated by Abu Ishaq Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (رضي الله عنه), Malik bin Uhain bin Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah bin Kilab bin Murrah bin Ka’b bin Lu’ayy al-Qurashi az-Zuhri (رضي الله عنه), one of the ten Companions given the glad tidings of Paradise, that:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) visited me during the year of the Farewell Pilgrimage due to an illness that had severely afflicted me. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! You can see the severity of my pain. I am a man of wealth and have no heir except one daughter. Shall I give two-thirds of my wealth in charity?’ He said: ‘No.’ I said: ‘Half?’ He said: ‘No.’ I said: ‘A third?’ He said: ‘A third, and a third is much — or great. Indeed, to leave your heirs wealthy is better than leaving them poor, begging from people. Indeed, whatever you spend seeking the pleasure of Allah, you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel you place in your wife’s mouth.’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, will I be left behind after my companions depart?’ He said: ‘You will not be left behind except that you will work deeds seeking Allah’s pleasure, thereby increasing your rank and elevation. Perhaps you will be left behind so that some people will benefit through you and others will be harmed because of you. O Allah! Fulfill the migration of my companions and do not return them on their heels.’ However, it was said concerning Sa’d bin Khawlah (رضي الله عنه) — the Prophet (ﷺ) showed sorrow because he died in Makkah.
(Agreed upon – Bukhari and Muslim)
Authentication of the Hadith
- Narrated by: Bukhari (165/3 – Fath al-Bari), Muslim (1628)
Explanation of Vocabulary
- يعودني: He (ﷺ) visited me during my illness.
- الشطر: Half.
- تذر: To leave behind.
- عالة: The singular of ‘A’il, meaning a poor person.
- تكففون الناس: Begging from people.
- اخلف بعد اصحابي: Will I remain behind after my companions? Meaning, will I remain in Makkah after they depart?
- لعلك أن تخلف: Perhaps you will be left behind, implying longevity.
- فينتفع بك ناس و يضربك آخرون: Some people will benefit from you, and others will be harmed by you — a prophecy fulfilled through Sa’d’s role in the conquest of Iraq.
- أمض: To fulfill.
- البائس: The severely distressed or needy one.
- يرثي له: He (ﷺ) showed sorrow for him — because he died in Makkah, a city the Companions had migrated from seeking Allah’s pleasure.
Fiqh (Understanding) of the Hadith
➊ It is permissible to express illness for a valid reason, such as seeking treatment or requesting a righteous person’s supplication, provided it does not express dissatisfaction with Allah’s decree.
➋ It is permissible to touch the forehead, face, or the afflicted area of a sick person and to pray for their long life.
➌ The intention behind charity must be sincere, aiming to please Allah alone.
➍ Accumulating wealth is permissible provided the obligatory rights, like Zakat, are fulfilled.
➎ It is not permissible to bequeath more than one-third of one’s wealth in a will.
➏ Spending on one’s family with the intention of pleasing Allah also earns reward.
➐ Maintaining good ties with relatives and preferring closer relatives in acts of charity is highly recommended.
➑ The Prophet’s (ﷺ) supplication that his companions should not return on their heels emphasizes steadfastness in migration and faith.
➒ The Sunnah restricts the general meaning of the Qur’anic verse:
“After payment of bequests he (or she) may have made or debts.”
[Surah An-Nisa 4:11]
The Sunnah clarifies that a bequest must not exceed one-third of the estate.
➓ Taking care of heirs’ well-being and ensuring fairness among them is obligatory.
Hadith Authentication References:
- Sahih Bukhari 165/3 (Fath al-Bari), Sahih Muslim 1628
