ISLAMIC WILL AND TESTAMENT
All praises are due to Allah in whom we believe and from whom we ask
forgiveness and help. We seek refuge in Allah from our evil doings and our bad
deeds. Whoever Allah guides, no one can lead astray; and whoever Allah leaves
astray, no one can guide.
Abdullah bin ‘Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, “It is not
permissible for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights
without having his will and testament written and kept ready with him” (Bukhari).
Pursuant to the Prophet’s (saws) order for Muslims to have their wills written, I
hereby request and certify the following while being in full mental capacity and
health.
My bequest is as follows:
I, _________________________________________________, bear witness that
there is no deity except Allah, that he is devoid of partner, and that Muhammad is
His slave and Messenger; and that the Hour for certain will come, and that Allah
will resurrect all those who are in the graves. I ask those who survive me from
among my relatives and immediate family members to fear Allah and settle as well
as correct the relationships among themselves and to obey Allah and His
Messenger (saws) as Allah orders in the Quran, “So fear Allah and keep straight
the relations between yourselves and obey Allah and His Messenger if you are
indeed believers” (Al-Anfal: 1).
I also enjoin upon those of my family who survive me what Prophets Ibraheem
and Yaqoub directed their sons, “O my sons, Allah has chosen for you the religion
[of Islam], so do not die except as Muslims” (Al-Baqarah: 132).
I request that when I am in the brink of death, the best of people with the utmost
faith be called to cajole and encourage me to say the words of the Shahadah:
“La ilaha ill-Allah, Muhammadun Rasulullah.” This is in observance with the
Prophet’s saying which goes: “Anyone whose last words were ‘La ilaha ill-Allah’ will
enter Paradise (Ahmad, Abu Dawud and al-Hakim – Saheeh).
I warn you against wailing, beating your faces, or tearing your clothes, as the
Prophet (saws) has prohibited these acts. After you have buried me, the first thing
you must do is to clear me of my debts, if any, as the believer’s soul is held back
by his liabilities. Do not practice innovations regarding the three-day condolence
period, such as bringing in someone to recite excerpts from the Quran or to
prepare food for guests. And if you do any such innovations, I am free from that
guilt and deviation, having therefore discharged my moral responsibility by
informing you.
