It is recommended that he write his will. If he owes anyone their due, he should return it to them if possible; otherwise, he should leave instructions to that effect. A will recording his assets and any rights owed by him is obligatory, lest they be lost, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, as related in the two Sahihs: “It is not right for a Muslim who has something concerning which he wishes to make a bequest to let two nights pass without having his will written and kept at his bedside.”1

As for bequeathing some of his wealth to charitable and benevolent causes so that their reward may reach him after his death, this is recommended. The Lawgiver has permitted him, when death approaches, to allocate up to one-third of his estate in this way.

It is likewise recommended that he exhort his family to fear Allah, Mighty and Majestic, observe His commands, and adhere to the sunnah of His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and that he warn them against vain desires and religious innovations. Saʿīd ibn Mansūr and others related in his Sunan from Anas ibn Mālik, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: “They used to write at the beginning of their wills: ‘In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. This is the will of So-and-so, son of So-and-so. He declares that he bears witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner; that Muhammad is His servant and messenger; that the Hour is surely coming, of which there is no doubt; and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves. He exhorts the family he leaves behind to fear Allah, reconcile among themselves, and obey Allah and His Messenger, if they are believers. He also exhorts them with the same words with which Abraham and Jacob exhorted their sons: “O my sons! Allah has chosen this religion for you, so do not die except in a state of submission.”’”(2) 3.