I heard `Umar (رضي الله عنه) say to ‘Abdur-Rahman, Talhah, az-Zubair and Sa`d: “I adjure you by Allah, by Whose power heaven and earth exist (Sufyan said on one occasion: by Whose leave heaven and earth exist), do you know that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: `We (Prophets) are not to be inherited from; what we leave behind is charity`. They said: “By Allah, yes.”
Hadith Commentary: The Musnad of az-Zubair bin al-'Awwam
This narration from Musnad Ahmad 1406 contains profound legal and theological implications regarding the inheritance of prophets and the status of their estates after their passing.
Context and Occasion
This incident occurred during the caliphate of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) when he sought to establish the ruling concerning the Prophet's inheritance. He gathered prominent companions including az-Zubair, Talhah, 'Abdur-Rahman, and Sa'd to bear witness to this fundamental principle.
The companions' unanimous affirmation demonstrates the clarity and widespread knowledge of this ruling among the senior companions, establishing it as an incontrovertible sunnah.
Legal Ruling Explained
The statement "We (Prophets) are not to be inherited from" establishes that prophets leave no inheritance in the conventional sense. Their estates become public charity (sadaqah) for the Muslim community rather than passing to their heirs.
This ruling applies exclusively to prophets, distinguishing their status from ordinary Muslims. The wisdom behind this is that prophets are sent as mercy to all creation, and their legacy should benefit the entire ummah rather than specific individuals.
Scholarly Perspectives
Imam Ahmad and the majority of scholars held that this hadith indicates prophets' estates become charitable endowments. The four rightly-guided caliphs implemented this ruling regarding the Prophet's estate.
Some scholars differentiate between personal property and that which was specifically for prophetic functions, though the general principle remains that no inheritance distribution occurs according to standard inheritance laws.
Significance of the Oath
'Umar's solemn oath "by Allah, by Whose power heaven and earth exist" underscores the gravity of this matter and the need for absolute certainty in establishing this fundamental principle of Islamic law.
The companions' immediate and unanimous response "By Allah, yes" confirms this was well-established knowledge among them, leaving no room for doubt about its authenticity or application.