When is a bequest to an heir, or beyond one-third, effective?
2026-10-13
F191 · Selected fatwas
Shaykh Ibn Bāz
الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز
Original Q&A · Complete published question and answer
The full published exchange is included, including both follow-up questions. The answer distinguishes a non-heir's bequest within one-third from bequests to heirs or beyond one-third, and specifies legally competent co-heirs' consent after death.
النص العربي
السؤال الأصلي
شيخ عبد العزيز! أولى رسائل هذه الحلقة وصلت من مكة المكرمة- العزيزية، وباعثها أخونا محمد فؤاد صالح، يقول: شخص له زوجة، وليس له أولاد، ويريد أن يوصي ببعض أرضه أو كلها لأحد أبناء أخيه دون غيرهم في حياته، وزوجته موافقة على ذلك ومتبرعة له بنصيبها من الأرض، وهذا الشخص لا يسأل موافقة من يرثه كأخيه وأخته وأبناء أخيه ونحوهم، فهل تنفذ هذه الوصية شرعا أم لا؟
الجواب
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم، الحمد لله، وصلى الله وسلم على رسول الله، وعلى آله وأصحابه ومن اهتدى بهداه.
الوصية مشروعة كما قال النبي الكريم عليه الصلاة والسلام: ما حق امرئ مسلم له شيء يريد أن يوصي فيه يبيت ليلتين إلا ووصيته مكتوبة عنده متفق عليه.
فإذا أراد أن يوصي لغير وارث سواء كان ابن أخ أو غير ذلك فلا بأس، أما الوارث فلا؛ لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم: إن الله قد أعطى كل ذي حق حقه، فلا وصية لوارث فإذا كان هذا الموصى له ليس وارثا فلا مانع أن يوصي له بالثلث فأقل، ولا يجوز أن يوصي له بأكثر إلا بإجازة الورثة. نعم.
المقدم: بارك الله فيكم. متى تنفذ الوصية لوارث أو لغيره، ومتى لا تنفذ؟
الشيخ: تنفذ الوصية إذا مات الموصي، إذا مات الموصي نفذت في الثلث فأقل ولو لم يرض الورثة، يجب تنفيذها من ثلثه فأقل، أما الورثة فلا تنفذ وصاياهم إلا برضى شركائهم المرشدين، إذا رضوا بعد الموت نفذت. نعم.
المقدم: وهل هي محددة بالوصية في شيء معين كالأراضي وغيرها أم أنها مطلقة؟
الشيخ: غير محددة؛ في الأراضي وغيرها، متى وافق الشركاء وهم مرشدون جاز ذلك. نعم.
المقدم: بارك الله فيكم.
English translation
English translation prepared for SalafAlSalih.com from the cited Arabic source. It is not an official translation.
Original question
Shaykh Abd al-Aziz, the first letter in this episode comes from al-Aziziyyah in Makkah, sent by our brother Muhammad Fuad Salih. He says: A man has a wife but no children. During his lifetime, he wants to make a bequest of some or all of his land to one of his brother's sons, excluding the others. His wife agrees and offers him her share of the land. The man does not seek the approval of those who would inherit from him, such as his brother, sister, nephews and others. Is this bequest legally effective under the revealed law?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. Praise belongs to Allah. May Allah send prayers and peace upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his Companions, and those who follow his guidance.
Making a bequest is prescribed, as the noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'It is not right for a Muslim who has something concerning which he wishes to make a bequest to spend two nights without having his bequest written and kept with him.' Agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
If he wants to make a bequest to someone who is not an heir, whether a nephew or someone else, there is no harm. But not to an heir, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'Allah has given everyone entitled to a right his right, so there is no bequest for an heir.' If this beneficiary is not an heir, there is no objection to making a bequest to him of one-third or less. It is not permissible to bequeath more to him unless the heirs approve. Yes.
Presenter: May Allah bless you. When does a bequest to an heir or someone else take effect, and when does it not?
Shaykh: The bequest takes effect when the person making it dies. When he dies, it takes effect within one-third or less even if the heirs do not agree; it must be carried out from one-third or less of his estate. As for heirs, bequests in their favour do not take effect without the consent of their legally competent co-heirs. If those co-heirs consent after the death, it takes effect. Yes.
Presenter: Is this restricted to bequests of a particular kind of property, such as land, or does it apply generally?
Shaykh: It is not restricted: it applies to land and other property. Whenever the co-heirs agree and are legally competent, it is permissible. Yes.
Presenter: May Allah bless you.
Source and editorial notes
Official Ibn Bāz website, fatwa 6041
الموقع الرسمي للشيخ عبد العزيز بن باز
Official Ibn Bāz website
Complete published Arabic question and answer checked against the official source, including presenter follow-ups where present. Arabic diacritics omitted and honorific glyphs expanded for display. Source footnotes are kept separate.