Gifting one’s entire property
The question, as received
Asak wr wb,can a person give his entire property in his lifetime to whomever he wants?If he wants to give some then what’s the percentage. [Question Published as Received.]
The answer
It is permissible for a person to gift their entire property in their lifetime.
Fiqh basis
Imam al-Ṭarābulusī (d.966 AH) notes that if an individual gives all of his wealth to another person, it will be considered a gift. Muhammad Qadrī Pāshā (d.1304 AH) observes that every owner, if eligible to make gifts, may gift all or part of his property to anyone he wishes. This includes direct descendants, relatives, strangers, or even individuals from different religions, provided the conditions for gifting are met.
The Aṣl of this Mas’alah is that a person has freedom to contract in their wealth as they wish. This is the dictates of having Milkīyyah,it grants exclusivity and authority to act independently to a mature, sane person. The Sharīʿah recognises the agency of such people and their sound volition, as such, their actions are considered to be meaningful. The consequences of their actions are deemed valid and purposeful.
Mufti Raḍā al-Ḥaqq (Ḥafiẓahullāh) states that one has the right to distribute their wealth during their lifetime. It is advisable to maintain equality among children in the distribution, but some difference is also permissible. However, it is incorrect to cause harm to anyone without reason. Nevertheless, separation due to piety and immorality is permissible. In fact, giving slightly more to a pious and righteous individual is permissible according to Islamic law.i
And Allah knows best.
Maulana Mohammed Ubaydah Badat
Reviewed and approved by Mufti Faraz Adam
References
iولو قال: جميع مالي أو ما أملكه لفلان، كان هبةً، أو ما ينسب إلي، أو ما يعرف بي كان إقراراً. (مواهب الرحمان لطرابلسي ص ٣٠٦)
لَهُ ، وَالْقَبْضُ يَقُوْمُ مَقَامَ الْقُبُوْلِ (مَادَّة ٥٠١) يُشْتَرَطُ فِي صِحَةِ الْهِبَةِ أَنْ يَكُوْنَ الْوَاهِبُ حُرًّا عَاقِلاً بَالِغَا لاده مَالِكًا لِلْعَيْنِ الَّتِي يَتَبَرَّعُ بِهَا ( مَادَّة (٥٠٢ ) لا يَثْبُتُ مُلْكُ الْعَيْنِ الْمَوْهُوبَةِ إِلَّا بِقَبْضِهَا قَبْضًا كَامِلاً كَمَا … هُوَ مُبَيَّنٌ فِي مَادَّةِ ٥٠٧ ، وَإِنْ كَانَتْ فِي يَدِ الْمَوْهُوْبِ لَهُ مُلْكُهَا بِمُجَرَّدِ الْعَقْدِ ، أَوْ بِدُوْنِ قَبْضِ جَدِيدٍ بِشَرْطِ الْقُبُوْلِ ( مَادَّة (٥٠٣) يَجُوْزُ لِكُلِّ مَالِكِ إِذَا كَانَ أَهْلَا لِلتَّبَرُّعِ أَنْ يَهِبَ فِي حَالِ المادة – صِحَتِهِ مَا لَهُ كُلَّهُ أَوْ بَعْضَهُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ ، سَوَاءٌ كَانَ أَصْلًا لَهُ أَوْ فَرْعًا أَوْ قَرِيبًا أَوْ أَجْنَبِيًّا مِنْهُ ، وَلَوْ مُخَالِفًا لِدِينِهِ بِشُرُوطِهِ (مَادَّة (٥٠٤) الْعُمْرَى جَائِزَةٌ لِلْمُعْمَرِ لَهُ وَلِوَرَثَتِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ ، وَهِيَ : جَعَلُ نَحْوَ دَارِهِ لِلْمُعْمَرِ لَهُ مُدَّةَ عُمْرِهِ بِشَرْطِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهَا عَلَى الْمُعْمِرِ أَوْ (الأحكام الشريعة في أحوال الشخصية مادة ٥٠٣)
الجواب اپنی حیات ہی میں اپنا مال تقسیم کرتا ہبہ ہے اور یہ صحیح ہے ، اور مفتی بہ قول کے مطابق اولاد کے درمیان مساوات کا خیال رکھنا چاہئے لیکن اس میں تفاضل بھی چل سکتا ہے، البتہ بلاوجہ کسی کو ضرر پہنچانا درست نہیں ہے، ہاں دینداری اور فسق و فجور کی وجہ سے تفریق جائز ہے، بلکہ دیندار متقی با شرع کو کچھ زیادہ دینا (فتاوى دار العلوم زكرياء ج ٨ ص ٣٠٥)
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.