tapped the camel, invoked blessing for it, and said, “Sell it to me for one uqiyyah.” Jabir replied, “No,” and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not censure him for saying “no.” In the same vein, when Saʿd asked, “May I give away two-thirds of my wealth in charity?” the Prophet answered, “No.” Therefore, there is nothing objectionable in the word “no”; it is neither discourteous nor ill-mannered. Many people today shy away from uttering it and instead say, “May you be kept safe,” which is a fine supplication—yet if you simply say “no,” there is no fault in that.

Benefits derived from the report

1. A person who is suffering from an illness that threatens his life may not dispose of more than one-third of his estate without the heirs’ approval, for their right becomes attached to the property once the patient falls gravely ill. Hence it is impermissible to give away more than one-third. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “No” to two-thirds, “No” to one-half, and then declared, “A third—and a third is much.”

2. The narration further indicates that it is recommended to give even less than one-third. ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAbbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “Had people reduced the third to a quarter, it would have been better, because the Prophet said, ‘A third—and a third is much.’”

3. Consequently, anyone who is seriously ill and fears death may not donate more than one-third of his wealth—whether as charity, a contribution to building mosques, a gift, or any other form of transfer. He must not exceed one-third, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas from giving away anything beyond that limit.