Page:Selections from Muhammadan Traditions - tr. William Goldsack (1923).djvu/182

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SELECTIONS FROM MUḤAMMADAN TRADITIONS

It is related from Qabísah bin Dhuwaib that he said, 'A grandmother came to Abú Bakr to ask about her inheritance. He said to her, "There is nothing for thee according to the Book of God, and nothing for thee according to the traditions of the Prophet. Then return until I can ask the people." Then he enquired, and Al Mughírah bin Shuʿbah said, "I was present with the Apostle of God when he gave her (i.e. a grandmother) one-sixth." Abú Bakr said, "Was there anyone present with thee besides thyself?" Then Muḥammad bin Maslamah answered in the same terms that Al Mughírah had spoken. Then Abú Bakr sent it to her. After that another grandmother came to ʿOmar to ask him about her inheritance. He replied, "It is that one-sixth. If you both agree, then it may be divided between the two of you; or whoever of you remains alone, it is for her."'—Málik, Aḥmad, At Tirmidhí.

Concerning Wills

It is related from Saʿd bin abi Waqqáṣ that he said, 'I was ill in the year of the conquest of Mecca, and I was nigh unto death. Then the Apostle of God came to me to visit me. And I said, "O Apostle of God, verily I have much wealth, and I have no one to inherit from me except my daughter. May I will away all that I possess?" He replied, "No." I said, "Then two-thirds of my property?" He replied, "No." I said, "Then one-half?" He replied, "No." I said, "Then one-third?" He replied, "Yes, one-third, for that is sufficient; and it is better to leave your heirs rich than indigent and begging, and holding out hands to beg of men. For thou wilt never expend alms, seeking thereby the face of God, but thou wilt be rewarded for it, even to the morsel thou raisest to thy wife's mouth."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.

It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Prophet said, "Verily a man and his wife acted in accordance with the will of God for sixty years. Then death claimed them. But they did some one an injury in their will, therefore the fire became their rightful portion."'—Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.