* Urges Muslims to write wills, settle debts and follow Islamic law to preserve family unity
Former Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Ustaz Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has attributed the growing number of inheritance disputes among Muslim families to greed, ignorance of Islamic inheritance laws and the failure of many Muslims to properly organise their estates before death.
The renowned inheritance lawyer made the remarks during an episode of The AIMS Media Podcast, monitored live by Muslim News Nigeria on Friday, July 31, through the official Facebook page of AIMS Media Company Limited.
The episode, which focused on Inheritance, also featured retired civil servant and proprietress of Tesmol group of schools, Hajia Khairat Abolanle Egberongbe.
The programme was presented by Hajia Mar’yam Thaoban alongside the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AIMS Media Company Limited, Alhaja Aminah Muhammad.
Inheritance begins after death, not before
Speaking extensively on the subject, Ustaz Hassan described inheritance as one of the most misunderstood aspects of Islamic law despite the detailed guidance provided by Allah in the Qur’an.
He said many of the family disputes witnessed after the death of loved ones could be avoided if Muslims understood and faithfully implemented the provisions of Islamic inheritance.
Ustadh Hassan, who is also the Chairman of Fajr Center, Lagos, explained that inheritance can only take place when three essential conditions exist.
According to him, the owner of the estate must have died, there must be lawful heirs entitled to inherit, and there must be assets available for distribution.
“There must be a deceased person, there must be people entitled to inherit and there must also be something to inherit,” he said.
The former NAHCON Chairman noted that inheritance is not simply about sharing wealth, stressing that funeral expenses and outstanding debts must first be settled before any property is distributed.
He recalled instances where wealthy individuals died with enormous debts, leaving their families to inherit financial liabilities rather than wealth.
“There are people who appear very rich, but after their death, their families discover huge debts. Before anything can be shared, those obligations must first be settled. Sometimes what people eventually inherit is debt instead of wealth,” he explained.
Greed and culture fuel family conflicts
Ustaz Hassan identified greed as one of the greatest causes of inheritance conflicts, saying many people become consumed by worldly possessions and forget the certainty of death.
“The house you are fighting over will outlive you. The wealth you are struggling to possess will remain after you are gone. If people constantly remember that death is inevitable, many of these conflicts will disappear,” he said.
While acknowledging the importance of preserving family relationships, he stressed that lasting peace can only be achieved through strict obedience to Islamic law rather than emotions, culture or personal sentiments.
He warned that many parents unknowingly create crises after their death by favouring certain wives or children in ways that contradict the clear provisions of Islamic inheritance.
According to him, some people attempt to distribute estates based on sympathy, educational status, financial condition or the number of children a wife has instead of following the shares prescribed by Allah.
“The law of Allah must be allowed to prevail. When people replace divine guidance with personal sentiments or cultural practices, they create bitterness that continues long after they are gone,” he said.
Ignorance remains widespread
He further lamented the widespread ignorance surrounding inheritance among Muslims, describing it as deeper than many people imagine.
“The level of ignorance is deeper than people imagine. That is why continuous education is necessary. Muslims must continue to learn and teach the principles of Islamic inheritance,” he said.
The inheritance expert advised Muslims to prepare valid wills clearly stating that their estates should be administered according to Islamic law while appointing competent and trustworthy executors to oversee the process.
He also encouraged Muslims to settle their debts during their lifetime in order not to burden their heirs.
“Do not leave debts for your family to struggle with after your death. Settle your obligations while you are alive so that what you leave behind will truly benefit your heirs,” he advised.
Islam provides guidance for every family situation
On the issue of gifts, Ustaz Hassan explained that Islam permits individuals to give part of their wealth during their lifetime but cautioned that such decisions should be taken wisely because circumstances could change before death.
He noted that making gifts while alive should never become a means of denying lawful heirs their rights after death.
The former NAHCON Chairman also addressed several practical issues relating to inheritance, including cases involving missing persons, grandparents, grandchildren, multiple wives, non Muslim relatives and children born outside marriage, explaining that Islamic law provides guidance for various family situations.
He urged Muslims to seek proper knowledge rather than rely on customs or personal opinions when handling inheritance matters.
Personal experience on preserving family unity
Supporting his position, Hajia Egberongbe defined inheritance as the transfer of a deceased person’s wealth, property, rights and responsibilities to those legally entitled to receive them after funeral expenses, debts and other lawful obligations have been fulfilled.
Drawing from her personal experience, she revealed that her late father, who had four wives and twenty one children, documented how his estate should be managed before his death.
She said he also directed family members to continue holding regular family meetings, a tradition that has continued for twenty six years after his passing and has helped preserve unity among the extended family.
“My father arranged everything before he died and instructed us to continue holding family meetings every month. More than twenty six years after his death, we are still meeting, and that has helped us maintain peace and unity,” she said.
Hajia Egberongbe maintained that no responsible parent desires conflict among family members after death and urged Muslims to make adequate preparations while alive.
She also advised families to place greater value on relationships than material possessions.
“We came into this world with nothing and we shall leave with nothing. It is not worth destroying family relationships because of property. Family unity is far more valuable than wealth,” she said.
Call for sustained public enlightenment
The speakers agreed that greater public enlightenment on Islamic inheritance remains necessary, urging scholars, Islamic organisations and media platforms to intensify awareness campaigns on the subject.
They noted that proper understanding and faithful implementation of Islamic inheritance laws would significantly reduce family disputes, protect the rights of lawful heirs and preserve harmony within Muslim families.
Ustaz Hassan concluded by reminding Muslims that every person would eventually leave behind everything they own, urging them to obey Allah’s injunctions on inheritance rather than allow wealth to become a source of division after their death.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
