Yes, within the one-third bequest. Naming a registered Canadian charity also generates a donation tax credit for the estate.
The Canadian position
Confirm the organisation's registered charity status and use its exact legal name and registration number in the will — a misnamed charity is a common cause of failed gifts.
The Islamic position
A gift with continuing benefit is classical sadaqah jariyah. Directing part of the wasiyyah to it is among the most common uses of the discretionary third.
The four Sunni schools are not recorded as differing materially on this point in the sources reviewed. Where your own case turns on it, put it to a scholar of your school.
What to do about it
- Use the charity's exact registered name and number.
- Express the gift as a percentage, not a fixed sum.
- Name an alternate charity in case the first ceases to exist.
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.
- Surah al-Baqarah 2:180 — the bequest verse — Quran.com
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55: Wills and Testaments (Wasaya) — Sunnah.com
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Wills — Sunnah.com
- Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
- Research — Cambridge Muslim College
- Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- What to do when someone has died — Canada Revenue Agency
- Income Tax Act, RSC 1985, c 1 (5th Supp) — Justice Laws Canada
- Family trust shares professional corporation — Treadstone Law
- Discretionary family trust ontario estate planning — Treadstone Law
- Executor vs administrator vs estate trustee ontario — Treadstone Law
- Constructive trust remedy director breach — Treadstone Law
- Holding title family trust ontario — Treadstone Law
- Difference between executor and estate trustee ontario — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law