Assalamualaikum,
1) I have been the major contributor in my family and has paid the mortgage for our current house in Canada. Who would be the owner of this property as per Sharia law?
2)If I write my will, how will the distribution be for my husband and two daughters. My parents both Dad and mom are alive.
3)How would the distribution be for my husband, if he writes a will? His mom is alive. We have two daughters who are above 18 and married.
Jazakallah
الجواب وباللہ التوفیق
- In the situation inquired about if the amount you have paid is with the intention of partnership then you will be partner in proportion to the amount you have paid. And if you have given with the intention of cooperation then this house in its origin will belong to your husband and your spending this money will be احسان Ihsaan (a favor). Similarly if you have paid off the husband’s loan with the intention of giving him a loan then if would be necessary on the husband to pay it back to you. And if you have given with the intention of ہبہ Hibah (a gift) then this will be your احسان Ihsaan (a favor).
Hence, the person to whom the house belongs to, he/she will have full اختیار (choice/authority) of its تصرف (usage/disposal). In his life he/she can give it to whosoever he/she likes.
- However, it is not permissible to write a will for the heirs. Even if a will is written, after the demise of the person it would be necessary to have the Shara’i distribution of his/her assets. Therefore, neither you can make a will for your husband and children nor your husband can for you. If you both actually want to give to each other then gift the property to the persons you want to give and make them full owners of the property in the presence of the witnesses.
عن شرحبیل بن مسلم الخولاني رضي اللّٰہ عنہ قال: سمعت أبا أمامۃ، قال: سمعت رسول اللّٰہ صلی اللّٰہ علیہ وسلم یقول: ’’إن اللّٰہ قد أعطی کل ذي حق حقہ، فلا وصیۃ لوارث‘‘۔ (سنن أبي داؤد، کتاب الوصایا / باب ما جاء في الوصیۃ للوارث،رقم: ۲۸۷۰)
الہبۃ والصدقۃ ہي التبرع بما ینتفع الموہوب بہ، لغۃ: وتملیک العین بلا عوض شریعۃ (الفتاویٰ التاتارخانیۃ ۱۴؍۴۱۲ رقم: ۲۱۵۳۵ زکریا)
واللہ اعلم بالصواب