Wasiyat — Writing Your Last Will

A Wasiyat is one of the final acts of responsibility a believer leaves behind — a gift of clarity, guidance, and peace of mind for the loved ones we leave behind.

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Islamic Guidance

Why Every Muslim Should Write a Wasiyat

Death can come without warning. Leaving a clear, written Wasiyat is both a Sharia obligation and an act of mercy towards your family.

A Wasiyat (last will and testament) is a written declaration in which a person states how their unfulfilled religious duties should be settled, how their wealth should be distributed, and who should be entrusted to carry out their wishes after death. Allah (SWT) Himself commands the believers to prepare this:

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِنْ تَرَكَ خَيْرًا الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ "It is prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to what is fair — this is a duty upon those who are mindful of Allah." Quran 2:180

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) emphasised that this should never be delayed:

"It is not right for a Muslim who has something to bequeath to let two nights pass without having his last will and testament written down."

Writing a Wasiyat is not a sign of fear or pessimism — it is an expression of faith, responsibility, and care. It spares your family from confusion, disputes, and uncertainty at the most difficult time of their lives, and it ensures that your remaining religious obligations are not left unfulfilled.

What a Wasiyat Should Cover

  • ✓ Settlement of debts and any other outstanding financial obligations
  • ✓ Unpaid religious duties — Qaza Namaz, Roza (fasting), Hajj, Khums and Zakat
  • ✓ Distribution of the estate according to the Islamic shares of inheritance (Fara'idh)
  • ✓ Any discretionary bequest, up to one-third (1/3) of the estate, for charity or others
  • ✓ Appointment of a Wasi (executor) to carry out your instructions faithfully
  • ✓ Guardianship arrangements for minor children, if applicable
  • ✓ Funeral, ghusl, kafan and burial wishes
  • ✓ Any Amanat (trusts) or items belonging to others that must be returned
From Nahj al-Balagha

The Last Will of Imam Ali (AS)

The final advice of Imam Ali (AS) to his sons, Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS), given after he was struck by the sword of Ibn Muljam.

Imam Ali's (AS) last will to his sons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS), after the attempt on his life by a stab from Ibn Muljam:

  1. My advice to you is to be conscious of Allah and steadfast in your religion. Do not yearn for the world, and do not be seduced by it. Do not resent anything you have missed in it. Proclaim the truth; work for the next world. Oppose the oppressor and support the oppressed.
  2. I advise you, and all my children, my relatives, and whosoever receives this message, to be conscious of Allah, to remove your differences, and to strengthen your ties. I heard your grandfather, peace be upon him, say: "Reconciliation of your differences is more worthy than all prayers and all fasting."
  3. Fear Allah in matters concerning orphans. Attend to their nutrition and do not forget their interests in the middle of yours.
  4. Fear Allah in your relations with your neighbors. Your Prophet often recommended them to you, so much so that we thought he would give them a share in inheritance.
  5. Remain attached to the Quran. Nobody should surpass you in being intent on it, or more sincere in implementing it.
  6. Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. It is the pillar of your religion.
  7. Fear Allah in relation to His House; do not abandon it as long as you live. If you should do that you would abandon your dignity.
  8. Persist in jihad in the cause of Allah, with your money, your souls, and your tongue.
  9. Maintain communication and exchange of opinion among yourselves. Beware of disunity and enmity. Do not desist from promoting good deeds and cautioning against bad ones. Should you do that, the worst among you would be your leaders, and you will call upon Allah without response.
  10. O Children of Abdul Mattaleb! Do not shed the blood of Muslims under the banner: "The Imam has been assassinated!" Only the assassin should be condemned to death.
  11. If I die of this stab of his, kill him with one similar stroke. Do not mutilate him! I have heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say: "Mutilate not even a rabid dog."

Source: Nahj al-Balagha

The Martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS)

In the 40th year of Hijri, in the small hours of the morning of 19th Ramadan, Imam Ali (AS) was struck with a poisoned sword by the Kharijite Ibn Maljam while offering his prayers in the Masjid of Kufa. He died on the 21st day of Ramadan 40 A.H. and was buried in Najaf-ul-Ashraf. He was born in the House of Allah, the Kaaba, and martyred in the House of Allah, Masjid-e-Kufa. The Lion of Allah, the most brave and gentle Muslim after the Prophet (PBUH&HF) himself, began his glorious life with devotion to Allah and His Messenger, and ended it in the service of Islam.

وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلٰكِنْ لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ "And do not speak of those who are slain in the Way of Allah as dead; nay, they are alive, but you perceive not." Quran 2:154

Ready to write your own Wasiyat?

Download our free Last Will (Wasiyat) template — a simple, structured guide to help you record your wishes, settle your obligations, and appoint a Wasi to act on your behalf.

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