"I became ill with a sickness from which I later recovered. The Messenger of Allah came to visit me, and I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I have a great deal of wealth and I have no heir except my daughter. Shall I give two-thirds of my wealth in charity?' He said: 'No.' I said: 'Half?' He said: 'No.' I said: 'One-third?' He said: '(Give) one-third, and one-third is a lot. It is better to leave your heirs independent of means, than to leave them poor and holding out their hands to people.'"
The Book of Wills - Sunan an-Nasa'i 3626
"I became ill with a sickness from which I later recovered. The Messenger of Allah came to visit me, and I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I have a great deal of wealth and I have no heir except my daughter. Shall I give two-thirds of my wealth in charity?' He said: 'No.' I said: 'Half?' He said: 'No.' I said: 'One-third?' He said: '(Give) one-third, and one-third is a lot. It is better to leave your heirs independent of means, than to leave them poor and holding out their hands to people.'"
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith establishes the maximum limit for testamentary bequests at one-third of one's estate. The Prophet ﷺ progressively rejected two-thirds and half of the wealth for charity, affirming only one-third as permissible.
The wisdom behind this limitation is profound: it balances the desire for charitable giving with the obligation to provide for one's heirs. The Prophet's statement "one-third is a lot" indicates that even this amount is substantial and should not be taken lightly.
The ultimate wisdom is expressed in the final statement: leaving heirs financially independent is superior to leaving them impoverished and dependent on others. This reflects Islam's comprehensive approach to wealth distribution, ensuring both charitable purposes and family welfare are served.
Legal Rulings Derived
• The maximum permissible bequest is one-third of the net estate after funeral expenses and debts
• Bequests exceeding one-third require consent of legal heirs after the testator's death
• Priority is given to the financial security of legal heirs over additional charitable giving
• The ruling applies regardless of the number or gender of heirs
Scholarly Insights
Imam al-Nawawi comments: "This hadith demonstrates the Prophet's ﷺ profound wisdom in legislating for both worldly and religious benefits. The restriction protects heirs from poverty while allowing substantial charity."
Ibn Qudamah states in al-Mughni: "The one-third limit is a mercy from Allah, preventing testators from excessive giving that would harm their rightful heirs, while still permitting significant charitable acts."