Can I leave money to charity in my will as a Muslim?

Yes. You can leave up to one third of your estate to charity, a mosque or any good cause in your will. The rest goes to your heirs by the fixed Islamic shares. A gift to charity in a will can keep rewarding you long after you have died.

Charity within the one-third limit

When Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas asked the Prophet ﷺ about giving his wealth away, he was allowed one third, with the words "even one third is too much." The Prophet ﷺ added that whatever you spend for Allah's sake counts as charity, "even the handful of food you put in your wife's mouth" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2742). That means looking after your family is also charity. For the full explanation, see How much of my money can I leave in my will as a Muslim?

Charity that keeps giving

The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person dies, their deeds stop except three: ongoing charity, useful knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them (Sahih Muslim 1631). A bequest to a well, a school, a mosque or a medical project can fall under ongoing charity. See What is sadaqah jariyah? You can also set up a waqf, an endowment whose benefit continues. See What is a waqf in Islam?

How to word it

Name the charity exactly. In the UK, include its registered charity number; in the US, its legal name and tax ID.
Use a percentage or a fixed amount, and keep the total at or below one third.
Add a fallback, such as "or another registered charity with a similar purpose," in case the charity closes.
Check that the charity accepts legacies and has a good reputation.
Tell your executor and your family, so nobody is surprised.

In the UK and the USA, gifts to registered charities in a will are often tax-advantaged, so ask your lawyer.

Balance charity and family

Islam values leaving your heirs comfortable. If your family is in need, give them priority and keep your charitable share modest. Ibn Abbas said people should reduce their bequest to a quarter, since even one third is a lot (Sahih al-Bukhari 2743). You can also give regularly while alive, which has the advantage that you see the reward.

Unpaid obligations

Some scholars treat unpaid zakat or vows as a debt to be paid from the estate before the shares, while others require it only if you instruct it in your will. So mention any unpaid zakat in your will and ask a scholar how to handle it.

After you die, your heirs may also give charity on your behalf. When Sa'd ibn Ubadah's mother died, he asked if charity for her would benefit her, and the Prophet ﷺ said yes (Sahih al-Bukhari 2756). See Can I give charity on behalf of someone who died?

Key points

You can give up to one third of your estate to charity (Sahih al-Bukhari 2742).
Ongoing charity continues to reward you (Sahih Muslim 1631).
Name the charity precisely and add a fallback.
Your heirs can give charity for you too (Sahih al-Bukhari 2756).

Tip: If you cannot give a large amount, name a percentage such as 5% or 10% for charity. Small, steady gifts are still rewarded.