This excerpt is taken from the Arabic book Al-Awamer wal-Nawahi by Sheikh Hussain bin Mubarak Al-Mawsili, whose Urdu translation has been done by Muhammad Sarwar Gohar Sahib under the title Ahkamat o Mamnoaat.
Instructions Regarding Wills
① It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
ما حق امرئ مسلم له شيء يريد أن يوصي فيه يبيت ليلتين إلا ووصيته مكتوبة عنده
“It is not permissible for a Muslim who possesses something and wishes to make a will regarding it, to pass two nights without having a written will with him.”
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما used to say: Since I heard this from the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, not a single night has passed without me having a written will with me.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Wills 2738, Muslim, Book of Will 1627/4.
Not Causing Harm While Making a Will at the Time of Death
① Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
إن الرجل ليعمل والمرأة بطاعة الله تعالى ستين سنة ثم يحضرهما الموت فيضاران فى الوصية فتجب لهما النار
"Men and women continue to perform acts of obedience to Allah until the age of sixty, then the time of their death comes, and when they make a will, they cause harm, then Hell becomes obligatory for them."
Then Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه recited this verse:
﴿مِن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصَىٰ بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ ﴾
After the will, the one to whom the will is made or after the repayment of a debt, without causing harm.
Until Allah's statement:
﴿ وَذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ ﴾
This is a great success.
Reference: Abu Dawood, Book of Wills 2867. Tirmidhi, Book of Wills 2117.
That is, he recited the complete verse.
Instructions for Endowments for Muslims
① Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab رضي الله عنه narrates, I acquired some land from the territory of Khaibar, so I presented myself before the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and said: O Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! I have obtained such land that I have never found a more beloved property before, nor do I possess anything more valuable than this. He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
إن شئت حبست أصلها وتصدقت بها
"If you wish, you may keep its principal and give its produce as charity."
So Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه gave it as charity, saying: It should neither be sold nor gifted nor inherited by anyone, and he gave it in charity to the poor, relatives, freeing slaves, the weak, and travelers. And whoever manages it is not sinful if he eats from it in a good manner and feeds such a person who does not want to increase his wealth.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-Shurut 3737, Muslim, Kitab al-Wasiyyah 1632/15.
And in another narration, he says, I asked the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم about my fruit-bearing land, and he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
أحبس أصلها وسبل ثمرها
"Keep its principal and give its fruit in the way of Allah."
Reference: Nasa'i 6/194. Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Ahkam 2/801.
