7. Bequests and Inheritance

Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has established a comprehensive system of wealth distribution after death. Among these provisions is the commandment for believers to prepare a will (wasiyyah) when they sense the approach of death:

"It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves behind some wealth, to make a bequest for parents and the nearest relatives according to what is recognized as fair—an obligation on the God-fearing."

The obligation of making a bequest (wasiyyah) demonstrates Allah's concern for proper financial planning and family welfare. This ruling ensures that a believer's assets are distributed according to his wishes and in accordance with Islamic principles. The verse specifically mentions that making such a bequest is "an obligation on the God-fearing," emphasizing that proper financial planning for one's heirs is part of taqwa (God-consciousness).

The timing of this injunction is significant—it comes during the second juz of the Qur'an which establishes many of the foundational laws governing Muslim social and family life. After establishing fundamental beliefs and practices in the first juz, Allah (swt) now provides specific guidance on matters that affect family cohesion and social stability.

This command to prepare a bequest is particularly relevant in our times, when many Muslims pass away without having properly documented their wishes regarding their wealth and possessions. During these challenging times, when death may come unexpectedly, Muslims should be especially mindful of this obligation. The uncertainty of life should motivate believers to fulfill this duty promptly rather than delaying it.

The nature of the bequest should be "according to what is recognized as fair," indicating that justice and fairness must guide the distribution. One should not favor some heirs unduly over others or attempt to use the bequest to circumvent the fixed shares established in the inheritance laws.

It is worth noting that this verse was revealed before the more detailed laws of inheritance (miraath) were established in Surah An-Nisa, which specified exact shares for various family members. Once those specific shares were established, the scope of bequests became limited to non-heirs or to heirs within the limit of one-third of the estate, as established by prophetic guidance.

The core purpose behind this ruling is to ensure the economic security of family members and to prevent disputes after one's death. By making a clear bequest, a believer helps maintain family harmony even in his absence and demonstrates care for those he is leaving behind. This ruling, like many others in the second juz, shows how Islam regulates family affairs with wisdom and compassion, establishing a system that balances individual freedom with family rights.

The placement of this verse among other family-related rulings underscores the importance of family economic security in Islam's social structure. Islam recognizes that clear financial arrangements are crucial for maintaining social harmony and preventing familial disputes that might arise from ambiguous distribution of wealth.

For contemporary Muslims, this verse serves as a reminder to take the necessary legal steps to ensure their wealth is distributed according to both their wishes and Islamic principles, combining the flexibility of bequests with the fixed framework of inheritance laws.