Death and inheritance are perhaps not the most exciting topics to discuss on a cold winter’s afternoon. However, those who attended the Islamic Relief seminar on Will Making in December 2003 certainly left with something to talk about.


The event, organised in conjunction with the Association of Muslim Lawyers UK (AML), brought to life what could have been a rather morbid subject. With a line-up of charismatic speakers, the seminar proved to be informative and inspiring for both the average Muslim and the legal professional.


Law of the Land
According to research, only one in three people in the UK die having made a Will, and amongst the Muslim community the number is thought to be even smaller. What many do not realise is that in the absence of a valid Will, the prevailing law of the country can dictate how one’s wealth is to be distributed.


The law can also determine what happens to the deceased’s body – from physical examination to funeral arrangements.


Officially opened in January 2003, Islamic Relief’s Legacy department was set up to help people who want to leave a portion of their wealth to charity. It became apparent however, that many Muslims are unaware of how to make a Will that is both legally valid and in accordance with Shari’a.


Leaving a Legacy
It was in response to this pressing need that Islamic Relief published its first edition of ‘Leaving a Legacy’, a hugely successful guide to making a Will. This was followed up by the Islamic Will Making seminar to provide more information on this increasingly popular subject.


Dr Munir Ahmed, President of the Islamic Society of Britain, reminded the audience of the Prophetic way of life, explaining how money donated to the poor can continue to reap spiritual rewards even after the donor passes away.


Following on from this, Dr Hany El Banna, President of Islamic Relief gave an insight into how Islamic Relief uses donations to help the poor and those suffering around the world. By establishing the Legacy department, Islamic Relief has committed to helping donors provide humanitarian aid to those who need it, even after the donor’s death.


Islamic Inheritance
Ahmad Thomson, a practising barrister, then spoke to the audience about the legal and Islamic requirements regarding Wills and inheritance laws. He offered an insight into the differences between Islamic and English laws of inheritance and offered advice on how to meet the requirements of both. “If you die in England and don’t leave a valid Islamic Will, your wealth will be divided according to English law,” warned Ahmad Thomson. “This means that you will be going against the Shari’a, which is very clear on how shares should be divided.”
He also explained that according to Shari’a, anything up to a third of one’s wealth can be
donated to charity. Leaving a bequest to charity, he said, is encouraged in the Quran. In Surah An-Nisa (4:6) Allah says:


“Men receive a share of what their parents and relatives leave and women receive a share of what their parents and relatives leave, a fixed share, no matter whether it is a little or a lot. If other relatives or orphans or poor people attend the sharing out, provide for them out of it and speak to them correctly and courteously.”


Free advice was also on offer to all the attendees, including how to choose a solicitor, how to calculate shares in accordance with the Shari’a and how to avoid Inheritance Tax.


Vital Service
Following the success of the seminar, Islamic Relief’s Legacy Department is set to become an essential service for donors. With a legacy website currently under development (www.islamic-wills.com), Islamic Relief is committed to making the process simple for those who want to make an Islamic Will and leave a gift to charity.


If you would like more details on Islamic Relief’s Will Making campaign - or to order our FREE guide to ‘Leaving a Legacy’ (UK only) - please contact the Legacy Officer, Lubna Zubairi, by emailing her at lubna.lubna.zubairi@islamic-relief.org.uk