It is the duty of a Muslim who has anything to bequeath not to let two nights pass without writing a Will about it – Sahih al-Bukhari
Under the Sharia, a Muslim with wealth is under a duty to write a Will and he/she should not let three days pass without executing a Will. In order to fulfil religious obligations, it is important for Muslims to execute a Sharia compliant Will and not simply a secular Will.
It is also important to ensure that not only does a Sharia compliant Will adhere to the principles of Islam, but it is both tax efficient and compliant with the laws of England and Wales. Planning ahead is key to preserving your assets and mitigating tax and our team can help you by guiding you through the ever increasing amount of tax legislation and work out the best way forward for you and your family.
If you die without a Sharia Will in place, then your assets and estate will be distributed in accordance of the rules of intestacy. These rules do not make any provisions for Muslim beliefs and going through the process will increase the time and cost of dealing with an estate.
Sharia Wills can also be used to set out specific requests for burial and ensure that any ceremony which takes place is run in accordance with Islamic rituals.
Homemade Wills, or those not drafted by qualified professionals, may fail to consider all the legal issues surrounding each particular circumstance and in the worst case scenario a poorly drafted Will may not have any legal effect.
To make a Will in accordance with Sharia law (Islamic law), or to discuss any related matters, simply call me, Siraj Aziz, through the switchboard on 03456 381381.
