Bequeathing to slaughter an animal while one of the heirs donating to do it does not fulfill the will

Q: Before he died, my paternal grandfather had bequeathed that four cows and ten sheep should be slaughtered from his money. However, nothing has been slaughtered from his money up till now. In fact, my brother and I slaughtered two cows and five sheep and intended their reward to go for him. He had sons and a wife. Some of his sons are underage children. I was appointed by the legal court in our town as their guardian. Is it permissible to execute his will and slaughter four cows and ten sheep from the minor's inheritance? (Part No. 16; Page No. 395) If it is permissible, will it be permissible to sell the cows and the sheep then give their value to the needy and the poor people or spend them on charitable works or give them (the cows and sheep) alive to the poor and needy? Are the cows and sheep that were slaughtered by my brother and I considered part of the will? We appreciate your advice. May Allah reward you best!


A: The mentioned will has to be carried out from the money of the testator after settling his debts if he was indebted and before distributing it to the inheritors. The amount of the will has to be one third or less of the value of the estate. The cows and sheep you slaughtered voluntarily are not sufficient for the execution of the will. We hope Allah (Exalted be He) will reward you and the deceased for what you have done for him. Also, it is not sufficient to give the value of the cows and sheep to the poor or to give the cows and sheep alive to the poor because there may be a special reason why the testator intended to distribute them in the form of meat. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.


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