The Book of the Rules of Inheritance - Sahih Muslim 1619 c

By Him in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, there is no believer on the earth with whom I am not the nearest among all the people. He who amongst you (dies) and leaves a debt, I am there to pay it, and he who amongst you (dies) leaving behind children I am there to look after them. And he who amongst You leaves behind property, that is for the inheritor whoever he is.

Commentary on the Prophetic Responsibility

This noble hadith establishes the comprehensive guardianship of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) over the Muslim ummah. His statement "nearest among all the people" signifies both spiritual proximity and practical responsibility toward believers, establishing him as the ultimate guardian (wali) for the community.

The Prophet's commitment to settling debts demonstrates Islam's emphasis on financial responsibility and protecting creditors' rights. This obligation takes precedence even over inheritance distribution, ensuring the deceased meets their divine and worldly commitments.

Inheritance Principles Established

The declaration "property is for the inheritor whoever he is" establishes the fundamental Islamic inheritance principle that estates must be distributed according to divine law, not personal preference. This prevents the pre-Islamic practice of excluding certain relatives and ensures Allah's prescribed shares are respected.

Scholars interpret this as affirming fixed inheritance shares (fara'id) revealed in the Quran, where specific portions are allocated to designated heirs. The phrase "whoever he is" emphasizes that inheritance rights are determined by Shariah, not the deceased's wishes or tribal customs.

Legal Implications and Contemporary Application

This hadith, recorded in Sahih Muslim, forms the basis for the Islamic inheritance system where debts and funeral expenses are paid first, followed by execution of any valid will (up to one-third of estate), with the remaining distributed to Quranic heirs according to fixed shares.

The Prophet's guardianship over orphans establishes the state's responsibility toward vulnerable members of society. Contemporary Islamic governments must maintain systems for orphan welfare, reflecting this prophetic model of social responsibility beyond mere legal inheritance rules.