CHAPTER – VI

MUA‘MLAT [AFFAIRS]

97. Depriving [someone] from inheritance is a sin

Translation: Sa’lim quotes from his father, Abdullah b Umar (r.a.) that when Ghailan b Salamah Thaqafi (r.a.) entered into Islam, he had ten wives. Rasulullah (s.a.) said, “Select four wives from them [and leave the rest]”. During the Khilafah of Umar (r.a.), he divorced all his [four] wives and divided his wealth amongst the brothers of his father [uncles]. When Umar (r.a.) got the news, he called for Ghailan (r.a.) and said, “I think Satan [the devil] had heard the news of your death and he had conveyed it to you. Perhaps you will now live for a few days. That is why you have divorced your wives to deprive them form inheritance and divided your wealth amongst your uncles”.
“I swear by Allah, you have to turn back to your wives and take back your divided wealth. Otherwise, I will make your wives inherited by force and direct the people to throw stones on your grave as the grave of Abu Righal is stoned”.
[From Musnad Ahmad]

Explanatory Note: Allah (SWT) has fixed the share of inheritance. None has the right to deprive the inheritor in any way. It will be counted as a great sin. If there is an Islamic state and someone is behaving like that, it is its responsibility to disallow such acts of transgression.
Stoning is a punishment meant for those who are condemned. This Hadith shows that depriving an inheritor is an act of curs.
Abu Rijal was an Arab of Jahilyah. He conspired with Abraha and guided his army, advancing towards Makkah for the demolition of Allah’s House [Haram]. That is why the people used to stone the grave of this cursed man.