Having two witnesses when drawing up a will

Q: 

1. Is it compulsory to have 2 witnesses for a will? 

2. If one witness is given the will to sign 3 days after the testator drew up his will and the other witness was given to sign a month later is this valid? 

A: It is not a precondition for the validity of an Islamic will that two witnesses be appointed at the time the will is prepared. After preparing the will, if one shows it to the family and informs them of his will, it will be sufficient. The family members will all be witnesses to his will.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)