Wasiyyah (Bequests)

Bequest of a non-Muslim

Q: I would like to know the ruling on wills from non-Muslim parents. I understand that one cannot recieve any money or possessions stipulated in the wills of non-Muslim parents unless it is less than 1/3, but if the will stipulated that the living parent gives the money or possessions throughout the life until it is paid is that permissible?

Bequest for heirs

Q: We are in the process of winding up my father's estate, who passed away a couple of years ago, and are unclear on a specific scenario we have picked up.

My father had a number of investment policies which were registered under his name but, as required with most investments, had listed certain individuals as beneficiaries in the event of his death. The beneficiaries he listed were his wife and some of his children (so the people that naturally would qualify to inherit from his estate in any case).

The question I have around this is, according to Islamic law, should the person listed on the investment as beneficiary inherit the payout or should the investment be included in the estate and the total from the estate be distributed according to the Islamic law of succession and inheritance?

I hope I have provided sufficient detail to enable you to make an informed decision.

Bequest for a property to be given to someone after one's death

Q: "A" nominated the name of "BC" in immovable property during his life time at the society records, stating that after his death "BC" will be the owner of the immovable property, in the presence of his other legal heirs/family members and the other legal heirs knows the same, thereafter "A" died, whether the nominees "BC" will be the sole co-owners of the said immovable property or other legal heirs of the deceased will have right over the said property, as per Islam, Please answer.

Making a bequest for zakaat to be discharged and interest to be disposed off

Q: In the last will and testament of the deceased, it is instructed that the whole balance on one of the bank accounts of the deceased be deemed undischarged Zakaat and the whole balance on another bank account be deemed interest received and the two balances be disposed with in accordance with Shariah. Would the deceased’s instructions be tantamount to a bequest and consequently can only be limited to one-third of the gross value of the estate and, if so, what, if the total of the two balances and other bequests made exceed one-third? Please clarify.

Making a bequest for an heir

Q: I have been adopted by my maternal aunt as my mother died seven days after my birth. I inherited property (first order inheritance) and nothing from my own father side. Now that I am married and have two daughters elder one being married and younger one still studying. Can I make a will for the distribution of this property between my wife and the two daughters after my death?

Making a bequest for an heir

Q: A mother who has a son and a daughter has made her jewellery into two parcels and put the name of the daughter on one parcel and the name of the son on one parcel. Without the knowledge of the son, she gave the daughter to keep both parcels in her safe and said when she passes away she doesn't want fighting, therefore she has done this. What is the law regarding this jewellery presently and what are the repercussions at the time of the mother's death. The father is alive presently.