How much of my money can I leave in my will as a Muslim?
In most cases, up to one third of your estate. You can leave up to a third to people or causes who are not automatic heirs, such as charity, a mosque or non-Muslim relatives. The remaining two thirds go to your fixed heirs according to the shares in the Quran.
The one-third rule
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas was ill and asked the Prophet ﷺ whether he could will away all his property. The Prophet ﷺ said no. Then half? No. Then one third? "Yes, one third, yet even one third is too much. It is better for you to leave your inheritors wealthy than to leave them poor, begging others" (Sahih al-Bukhari 2742).
The Quran also places any bequest before the shares:
Scholars generally say it is one third of what is left after funeral costs and debts are paid. So debts come first, then the bequest, then the shares. If you have large debts, there may be nothing left to bequeath. See What happens if a Muslim dies in debt?
Who can receive it
- A charity, a mosque or a waqf (endowment).
- Non-Muslim parents, children or siblings, who do not inherit automatically.
- A stepchild, a foster child or a friend.
- Relatives who are not heirs, such as a grandchild whose parent is still alive.
It cannot go to someone who is already a legal heir. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah has appointed for everyone who has a right what is due to him, and no bequest must be made to an heir" (Sunan Abi Dawud 2870). Many scholars say the other heirs may agree to it after your death, but you cannot assume they will. For details on the shares, see How does Islamic inheritance work?
You may leave less than a third
Ibn Abbas used to say that people should reduce the bequest to one quarter, since the Prophet ﷺ said that one third is already a lot (Sahih al-Bukhari 2743). If your heirs are young or in need, leaving them more is wiser. Charity in a will is rewarding, but your family is also a duty.
Gifts while you are alive
You can give your money freely while you are healthy. But scholars generally treat gifts made during a final illness like a bequest, which means they are limited to a third. Do not try to cut heirs out through last-minute gifts.
In the West
Local law may limit what you can leave. Some countries have forced heirship, and in many places spouses and children can claim a share. A lawyer can help you stay within both the law and Islamic limits. See Is an Islamic will legally valid in the US or UK? And for leaving charity, see Can I leave money to charity in my will as a Muslim?
- The maximum bequest is one third (Sahih al-Bukhari 2742).
- Debts and funeral costs come first.
- No bequest to someone who is already an heir (Sunan Abi Dawud 2870).
- Less than a third is often better if heirs are needy (Sahih al-Bukhari 2743).
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