Yes. The requirements for a wasi are trustworthiness and sound judgement, and the classical texts do not confine the role to men.
The Canadian position
Canadian law places no restriction whatever on who may act as estate trustee, beyond capacity and, in some cases, a bond where the trustee lives outside the province.
The Islamic position
Scholars discuss the qualities a wasi should have — integrity, competence, ability to discharge the task — rather than imposing a bar by sex.
Where a family's own scholar advises otherwise for their circumstances, that is a question to raise directly. The Canadian appointment is unaffected either way.
General information, not legal or religious advice. Inheritance depends entirely on the exact family circumstances. Confirm the Canadian position with a lawyer in your province and any religious ruling with a qualified scholar.
Citations & sources
Every factual claim on this page traces to one of the references below. Legislation and dollar thresholds change — verify against the primary source before relying on any figure.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55: Wills and Testaments (Wasaya) — Sunnah.com
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Wills — Sunnah.com
- Egyptian Dar al-Ifta — Dar al-Ifta al-Missriyyah
- Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
- Research — Cambridge Muslim College
- Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- Administering estates — Government of Ontario
- How executor compensation is taxed ontario — Treadstone Law
- Executor access safety deposit box ontario — Treadstone Law
- How long does executor have to distribute estate — Treadstone Law
- Executor gift lapses beneficiary predeceases — Treadstone Law
- Estate accounting to beneficiaries ontario — Treadstone Law
- Personal care attorney compensation ontario — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law