30/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3629 — The Prophet Refuses a Will of All Wealth
Bequeathing One-Third
Can You Bequeath All Your Wealth in Islam?
Sunan an-Nasai : 3629
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3629
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مِسْعَرٌ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي بَعْضُ، آلِ سَعْدٍ قَالَ مَرِضَ سَعْدٌ فَدَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أُوصِي بِمَالِي كُلِّهِ قَالَ " لاَ ". وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ.
One from the family of Sa'd narrated: "Sa'd fell sick and the Messenger of Allah entered upon him and he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, shall I bequeath all my money?' He said: 'No.'" And he quoted the same Hadith.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3629In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 19English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3659
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3629
This hadith gives a shortened report of Sa'd’s illness and his question about a will. A member of Sa'd’s family narrates that the Messenger of Allah entered upon him while he was sick. Sa'd asked whether he could bequeath all his money, and the Prophet answered no. The narrator then indicates that the rest of the known report followed. Even in this brief form, the main point is clear: a will of all wealth was not approved. For people searching whether they can bequeath all their wealth in Islam, this narration gives a direct refusal in Sa'd’s case. Because the supplied text summarizes the remainder, the explanation should not invent missing details. Its clear teaching is restraint and a limit on giving away the whole estate through a bequest.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet did not approve a bequest of all Sa'd’s money.
- The report was narrated by a member of Sa'd’s family.
- The supplied text summarizes the rest rather than stating every detail.
- The clear lesson is that the whole estate was not to be given away by will.
