This is what Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) narrated to us from Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him). And he narrated many ahadith, and one was this: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him said: I am, according to the Book of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, nearest to the believers of all the human beings. So whoever amongst you dies in debt or leaves behind destitute children, you should call me (for help) ), for I am his guardian. And who amongst you leaves property, his inheritor is entitled to get it, whoever he is.
The Book of the Rules of Inheritance - Sahih Muslim 1619 d
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This noble hadith from Sahih Muslim contains profound wisdom regarding the Prophet's guardianship and inheritance principles. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) establishes his spiritual proximity to the believers as established in the Qur'an, making him the ultimate guardian for those in distress.
Exegesis of Prophetic Guardianship
When the Prophet said "I am nearest to the believers," this refers to his status as the ultimate protector and helper. Scholars explain this nearness is both in this world through his Sunnah and in the hereafter through his intercession. His instruction to "call me for help" means to seek assistance through following his teachings and seeking Allah's mercy through his blessed example.
The specific mention of debt and destitute children highlights the Prophet's concern for the most vulnerable members of society. This establishes the communal responsibility toward those burdened by debt and orphaned children, with the Prophet as their symbolic guardian.
Principles of Islamic Inheritance
The latter portion "whoever leaves property, his inheritor is entitled to get it" establishes the fundamental principle that inheritance rights are determined by Shariah law. This confirms that wealth transfer must follow divine guidelines rather than personal preference.
Classical commentators note this hadith complements the detailed inheritance verses in Surah An-Nisa. The Prophet's statement reinforces that inheritance distribution is a sacred trust that must be executed according to Quranic prescriptions, ensuring justice among heirs and preventing arbitrary distribution of wealth.