Surah Al-Baqarah — Verse 180

Word Meanings:

• Khayr (خَيْرًا): Wealth or property.
• Al-Wasiyyah (الْوَصِيَّةُ): A bequest or will.
• Bil-Ma'ruf (بِالْمَعْرُوفِ): In a fair, just, and reasonable manner — according to what is recognized as good and proper.
• Haqqan (حَقًّا): An obligation, a binding duty.

Tafsir (Explanation):

O believers, Allah has prescribed for you a sacred duty: when the signs of death approach one of you — through illness or old age — and you leave behind wealth, then you are obligated to make a will for your parents and close relatives in a fair and just manner. This means you should not exclude the poor in favor of the rich, nor should you exceed one-third of your estate, for that would harm the rightful heirs. This is a binding obligation upon those who truly fear Allah and seek His pleasure.

This ruling was revealed in the early days of Islam, before the detailed laws of inheritance were sent down. At that time, making a will for parents and relatives was a direct command from Allah. Later, when the verses of inheritance (in Surah An-Nisa) were revealed, Allah Himself specified the exact shares for each heir — parents, spouses, children, and other relatives — and this obligation to make a will for them was abrogated, as the inheritance system now guarantees their rights automatically.

Yet, the spirit of this verse remains alive for every believer: it teaches us to be mindful of death, to prepare for it, and to ensure that we leave behind goodness — not only in wealth but in our relationships. The one who remembers death is the one who lives with purpose. The one who makes provision for his family and relatives, even beyond what is obligatory, is following the path of the righteous.

So let this verse inspire you, dear believer: do not wait for death to arrive before you think of others. Be generous with your family and kin while you are alive, and when you write your will, do so with justice and compassion. For indeed, the best of people are those who bring benefit to others, and the most beloved to Allah are those who fulfill their duties with sincerity and taqwa.