ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Guide To Writing an Islamic Will Making an Islamic Will Importance of Making an Islamic Will The timing of death is uncertain, but death itself is certain. Most people believe that their possessions will automatically pass on to their immediate spouse/children/family with no complications and everyone will receive what the deceased wanted them to. The fact is, unless you have made a Will, there is no guarantee that this is always the case.

Yet, most people die without making one. Even if you have no family, it is important that you make a Will so that what you own will pass to whomever you wish. You will no doubt want to be sure that when you die, your property and affairs be dealt with in accordance with your wishes and in an efficient manner. If you die without making a Will, the government appoints an executor who will divide the estate among the heirs, as he/she seems fit.

This could mean that some of your dependants may be deprived of essential financial security and possessions of particular sentimental value. The pay of the executor for this job will come out of your estate, and the government bureaucracy takes its time in getting things done. Secondly, from the Shariah point of view, your heirs may get more or less than the shares specified for them in Islam.

By not writing a Will, you are leaving the door open for a non-Islamic authority to distribute your estate according to its own views. So not having a Will is costly as well as problematic from both the State and the Islamic points of view. If you have no living relatives and have not made a Will leaving your estate, say to a friend, a favourite charity or other organization, then the State could receive everything on your death.

By making a Will, you can be sure that your estate is passed to the named beneficiary/ies in the most tax-efficient way. If the country you live in imposes inheritance tax, the may also take positive steps now to limit your estate's liability to inheritance tax by making gifts, taking out life assurance cover or by setting up a trust, which makes specific provision for your family.

To help achieve this, it is important that you should make a Will and, having written it, check it regularly to make sure that it always is still up to date. Times change, families grow and yesterday's Will may not be right for today.