Where the four schools stand
Agreed. A Muslim may direct up to one third of the net estate by wasiyyah — after debts and funeral expenses are met — and no more. The four schools do not differ on the ceiling itself, and they also agree that the limit exists to protect the fixed heirs rather than to restrict generosity.
Shared evidence: Sahih al-Bukhari 2742 · Sahih Muslim 1628a.
Not covered by this finding: the treatment where there are no fixed heirs at all — not yet researched school by school. Treat that as open and ask a scholar of your school.
Researched finding from our madhhab register — issue one-third-cap, reviewed 2026-08-16.
Full evidence and history: The one-third cap on a bequest — the issue page.
Questions that turn on this
Every answer below renders its madhhab position from this one entry, so the positions cannot drift apart between pages.
- Can I direct part of my estate to a masjid?
- Can I disinherit a child in an Islamic will?
- Can I leave a debt forgiven in my will?
- Can I leave money for hajj to be performed on my behalf?
- Can I leave more than one third of my estate to charity?
- Can charitable giving reduce the estate's tax?
- Can grandchildren inherit if their parent died first?
- Do adopted children inherit under Islamic law?
- Do stepchildren inherit under Islamic law?
- How do I calculate the faraid shares for my family?
- How is a step-parent treated in Islamic inheritance?
- What if one of my heirs is not Muslim?
- What is an obligatory bequest?
- What is faraid and how does it work in Canada?
- What is hibah and how does it work in Canada?
- What is ijazah and how does it work in Canada?
- What is marad al-mawt and how does it work in Canada?
- What is the order of payment from an estate?
- What is wasiyyah and how does it work in Canada?
- What should I do about my will if I want to leave everything to charity?
- What should I do about my will if my spouse is not Muslim?
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.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55: Wills and Testaments (Wasaya) — Sunnah.com
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Wills — Sunnah.com
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill