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What is wasi and how does it work in Canada?

Wasi is the executor of a wasiyyah, and classically guardian of minors.

This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.

Wasi is the executor of a wasiyyah, and classically guardian of minors.

The Canadian position

Maps onto two separate Canadian appointments: estate trustee for property, guardian for children.

Canadian law gives effect to whatever a valid will says, so an Islamic concept takes effect here through the drafting rather than automatically.

The Islamic position

The role is an amanah — held in trust and answerable to the heirs.

Confirm the position for your own family and school with a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.

Researched — the schools differ

All four schools want the same qualities in a wasi — adulthood and legal capacity, Islam, integrity and the ability to do the job. They differ on what failing one of them does. Three schools treat them as conditions of validity, so an appointment that fails one is void. The Hanafi school treats the appointment as valid and puts the remedy in the judge’s hands.

All four Sunni schools researched and sourced. Reviewed 2026-08-19. Full positions, evidence and sources — Who may be appointed wasi (executor and guardian).

Note

This is legal information only. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a lawyer.

Citations & sources

Every factual claim on this page traces to a source below. Details change — check the original source before relying on any figure, fee or legal position. Anything under “further reading” is related material, not a source for what is stated here.

Islamic primary sources
  1. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55: Wills and Testaments (Wasaya) — Sunnah.com
  2. Sahih Muslim, Book of Wills — Sunnah.com
Canadian legislation & government
  1. Administering estates — Government of Ontario
Further reading — Treadstone Law
  1. When does poa property come into effect ontario — Treadstone Law
  2. Guardian minor children will ontario — Treadstone Law
  3. Guardian of property compensation ontario — Treadstone Law
  4. Appointing guardian for minor children ontario — Treadstone Law
  5. Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law