30/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3616 — Prepare a Written Will Without Delay
It Is Disliked To Delay Making A Will
Islamic Will Hadith: Keep Your Wasiyyah in Writing
Sunan an-Nasai : 3616
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3616
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا حَقُّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَهُ شَىْءٌ يُوصَى فِيهِ يَبِيتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ إِلاَّ وَوَصِيَّتُهُ مَكْتُوبَةٌ عِنْدَهُ ".
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "It is not befitting for a Muslim who has anything concerning which a will should be made, to abide for two nights without having a written will with him."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3616In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 6English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3646
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3616
This narration repeats the teaching that a Muslim who has something about which a will should be made should not remain for two nights without a written will. Its wording places attention on preparation. Matters that need to be communicated should be recorded while a person is able to write or arrange them clearly. The hadith does not provide a full legal guide to wills, nor does it state what every individual must include. It gives a focused instruction about keeping the will written. This helps prevent important directions from being left uncertain or forgotten. The repeated transmission also gives readers a clear and memorable reminder not to keep postponing a document that needs to be prepared.
What we learn from this hadith
- A will should be written when a person has matters that need to be addressed.
- The document should not be repeatedly postponed.
- Written instructions help preserve what the person intends to communicate.
- The hadith focuses on preparation rather than listing detailed will provisions.
