'Amr bin Al Haarith Radiyallahu 'Anhu, the brother of Ummul Mumineen Juwayriyyah Radiyallahu 'Anha says that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam left in his assets only weapons, a mule which he used as a conveyance, and some land, which he had declared sadaqah.

Commentary

Since this was declared sadaqa, the laws of inheritance did not apply to them. As the clothing that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam used were of nominal value, it was not mentioned.

Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports that Faatimah (Radiyallahu 'Anha) came to Abubakr (Siddique Radiyallahu 'Anhu) and asked him who his heirs were. He replied: ''My wife and children''. (Faatimah Radiyallahu 'Anha asked:) ''Then why did I not become heir to my fathers estate?'' Abubakr (Siddique Radiyallahu 'Anhu) Said: "I heard the command of Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam, that we do not leave any heirs. But (I being a guardian of the waqf) for those whom Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had decreed a daily allowance, I will continue to grant it. And on whom Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam used to spend. I will continue to spend".

Commentary

Apparently it seems Sayyidina Faatimah Radiyallahu 'Anha thought that being a ruler, the estate of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam was not adjudged for his heirs. For this reason she inquired from Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu that would he have any heirs. Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu gave a shar'ee reply to the query, otherwise according to his own will he had stipulated that his wealth must be returned to the Baytul Maal (treasury). Therefore Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu did not leave any heirs for his estate. The saying of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam that 'We do not leave any heirs' is a well known hadith, which has been mentioned in different wordings. In some narrations only those words are narrated that have been mentioned above. In some narrations, it is stated that, 'We the group of ambiyaa, do not leave heirs'. Shah Waliyullah has written in his 'Musawwa) (Commentary on Muwatta) on this subject that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not leave any heirs, has been narrated by more than ten Sahaabah.

Abul Bakhtari (Sa'eed bin Fayruz At-taa-ee) reports that both 'Abbaas Radiyallhu 'Anhu and Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu went to 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu, during his reign of khilaafah. Each saying to his companion that you are like that, and you like that. 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anh said to Talhah Radiyallahu 'Anhu, Zubayr Radiyallahu 'Anhu, 'Abdurrahmaan bin 'Awf Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sa'd bin Abi Waqqaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu who were among the great Sahaabah, that I make you a witness and ask you with an oath to Allah, that did you not hear Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam say: "All the possessions of a nabi are sadaqah, beside that which he used to feed his family. We the ambiyaa do not leave behind any heirs. This hadith also has a story (Which is being shortened here)".

Commentary

The aim of Imaam Tirmidhi was to mention that the ambiyaa do not leave heirs, which has been done here. For this reason the complete hadith is not narrated. Imaam Abu Daawud has mentioned it with a bit more detail. After mentioning a little, carried it over to the hadith of Sayyidina Maalik bin Aws Radiyallahu 'Anhu, which is mentioned in hadith number six. The hadith of Sayyidina Maalik bin Aws Radiyallahu'Anhu is better known. It has been mentioned many a time in Bukhaari, Muslim and Abu Daawud. And to mention the complete hadith every time in detail will result in it becoming too long. The translation of the narration in Abu Daawud is this: Sayyidina Abul Bakhtari Radiyallahu'Anhu says: 'I heard a hadith from a person which appealed very much to me. I requested him to write it for me. He presented it in a very clear writing'. Haafiz Ibn Hajar says this person is probably Sayyidina Maalik bin Aws Radiyallahu 'Anhu himself. In this hadith it was written that Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu came to 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu. At that time Sayyidina Talhah Radiyallahu 'Anhu, Sayyidina Zubayr Radiyallahu 'Anhu, Sayyidina Sa'd Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sayyidina Abdurrahmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu were present there. Both Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu were arguing among themselves. i.e. they were accusing one another of negligence. Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu while making the four Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum who were present witnesses, asked: 'Do you not know that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said, "Every possession of a Nabi is sadaqah, but that portion which he spends in feeding and clothing his wives and children. This is because we (the ambiyaa) do not leave heirs"'. All our Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum that were present agreed and said verily Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasalla'm said so. Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam spent from his wealth during his life-time and what was left was given away in sadaqah. After the death of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallalalhu 'Alayhi Wasallam, Sayyidina Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu became the khalifah. In this two-year reign he did that which was the practice of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam'. Imaam Abu Daawud says further, approximately the complete story is narrated in the hadith of Sayyidina Maalik bin Aws Radiyallahu 'Anhu.

'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha says that Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: "We have no heirs. What we (the ambiyaa) leave is sadaqah".

Commentary

By sadaqah it is meant that it should be spent on those to whom sadaqah is given.

Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu 'Anhu says that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: "My heirs must not distribute Dinars and Dirhams. From my assets, after deducting the expenditure of my women (family), and the 'aamils (workers). whatever is left over must be given in sadaqah".

Commentary

It has been explained that by Aamil, is referred to that person who will be the khalifah of the time after Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. It is also said that it is that person who collects and brings the harvest of the lands. i.e. who is in charge and manages the lands. It is possible both are intended here. The Baytul Maal is responsible for the salary of the khalifah, and every person responsible for managing the affairs also has the right to take his share of the estate. It is not necessary that it be in the form of Dinars and Dirhams (currency). For example it is mentioned that, if it is said money should not be distributed, that other things are included. Or it is said the, the distribution is always according to the value of the articles, in which case it shall always be referred to in terms of money.

Maalik bin Aws bin Al-Hadthaan says: "I attended the assembly of 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu, At that time 'Abdurrahmaan bin 'Awf Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sa'd bin Abi Waqqaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu were also present. (After a little while) 'Abbaas Radiyaalhu 'Anhu and Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu came to solve a disagreement. 'Umar Radiyallhu 'Anhu said to them: 'I swear an oath by the One with whose command the skies and earth function, and I ask you, do you know of the saying of Rasulullah Sallallhu 'Alayhi Wasallam that we (the ambiyaa-prophets), do not make anybody our heirs. Whatever wealth we leave behind, is all left as sadaqah'. All those present replied: 'Verily true'. This hadith has a long story".

Commentary

This is the same incident which had been mentioned in hadith number three by Sayyidina Abul Bakhtari Radiyallahu 'Anhu. This incident is lengthy and has been mentioned in practically all the hadith kitaabs, either briefly or in detail. The hadith from Bukhaari is translated here. Other explanations and additions are taken from Fathul Baari and other narrations, which have been included as deemed necessary. Sayyidina Maalik bin Aws Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: "I was at home, the sun had risen quite a bit. A messenger from 'Umar Radiyallahu'Anhu came to call me. I went to 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu. He was sitting on a sack, on which no other cloth was spread. I greeted him and sat down. 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: 'Some needy among your people have come. I have given instructions that they be given something. Take them with you and distribute it among them'. I said, it would have been better if you had appointed someone else to distribute it among them. He replied: 'No, you must distribute it'. As we were discussing this, the servant of 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu whose name was 'Yarfa came in and said: "Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu, 'Abdurrahmaan bin 'Awf Radiyallahu 'Anhu, Zubayr Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sa'd bin Abi Waqqaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu request permission to present themselves'. In some narrations Sayyidina Talhah Radiyallahu 'Anhu is also included. 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu gave permission for them to enter. They entered, greeted and sat down. After'a little while Yarfa came in and said, "Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu and 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu request permission to enter'. 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu asked them to come in. Both came in, greeted and sat down. 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: 'Give a verdict between me and this oppressor'. 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu called 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu some other harsh names too. As a result both began to argue. Sayyidina 'Uthmaan Radiyallahu 'Anhu and the others that were present requested 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu to reconcile them and give a verdict. In the narration of Muslim this is also stated, Maalik bin Aws Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: 'From their request for a reconciliation and support, I felt that both of them had sent the Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum beforehand to strengthen their cases, and gain support'. 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu said: 'Wait a bit, then addressing those present said, I swear an oath by the Holy Being in whose command is the skies and earth, and I ask you, do you know, that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: "We do not leave heirs. Whatever we leave is sadaqah"'. The group present agreed that truly Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had said this. After this he turned towards 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu and 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu and in the same manner after swearing an oath asked them the same question. They both confessed that they knew. Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu then said, "Listen carefully. Allah Ta'aala had given this booty (garden etc.) especially to Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. No other person had a share in it, Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasllam did not keep it strictly for himself, but distributed it among you people, and left a very small portion of the land for supporting himself and his family, and from this too after giving little in his homes, whatever was left was given in the path of Allah. I swear an oath and ask you, 'Was it so or not?'. He first made the five Sahaabah Radiyallahu 'Anhum swear an oath and testify to its being true. Thereafter he made both Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu'Anhu and Sayyidina'Ali Radiyallahu'Anhu swear an oath and to testify to its being true. Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu then said. 'After that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam passed away, and Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu became the khalifah. He carried out this duty in the same manner as was the practice of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam. I swear by Allah that Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu was correct in handling this matter in this manner. He was on the straight path and followed the truth. You have regarded this as a subterfuge. You (Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu) have come to claim the estate of your nephew (Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam) and you (Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu) have come to claim the share of your wife. Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu said to you that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: "We (the ambiyaa) have no heirs". 'You did not accept his saying. Thereafter Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu passed away and I became the khalifah, and in the first two years carried out this duty in the manner that Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam and Abubakr Radiyallahu 'Anhu had done. Allah knows best that in adopting this manner I am on the truth, and the one who acts on pious deeds. Subsequently both of you came to me, and on that same claim, the one claims his nephew's estate and the other his wife's share. I had made known to you the saying of Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam that we have no heirs. Thereafter, I thought it suitable by handing this affair to you as a guardian. I had taken an undertaking from you that you shall administer it in the same manner as Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam, Abubakr Radiyallahu and I had done for two years.' You accepted it, and I handed it over to you. I ask you to swear an oath that did I not hand it over to you in this manner?' The group present admitted that he had done so. Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu and Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyyallahu 'Anhu also admitted this fact. Sayyidina 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu then said: 'Now do you wish that I pass a ruling contrary to this. I swear an oath by that Being in whose command lies the skies and earth, I will never give a ruling against this. If you are unable to administer it, then give it back to me. I shall administer it'. This is that long story which Imaam Timidhi has referred to as that 'It has a long story'.

A few points are worth noting here: (a.) Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu had called Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhu an oppressor and both had an argument. This apparently seems unbefitting. Sayyidina 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu is the uncle of Sayyidina 'Ali Radiyallahu 'Anhnu, according to this he has the right to reprimand h

'Aayeshah Radiyallahu 'Anha says: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam did not leave behind Dinars, nor Dirhams, nor goats nor camels. (The narrator of this hadith) said, I am in doubt if she had mentioned male or female slaves".

Commentary

A narrator from the chain of narrators of this hadith doubted if these words were said or not. Therefore it is pointed out here. In other narrations it has also been mentioned that he did not leave a male or female slave.