How to Write an Islamic Will in the UK: Complete 2026 Guide

Every Muslim adult is obligated to have a will. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to bequeath to pass even two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him." (Bukhari & Muslim). Yet the majority of UK Muslims have no up-to-date Islamic will.

Writing a Wasiyyah in 2026 involves two elements: the Islamic Faraidh (compulsory inheritance shares) and UK civil law compliance. This guide covers both.

What is a Wasiyyah?

A Wasiyyah is an Islamic will — a written document recording your estate distribution after death. It has two components:

Faraidh — The compulsory Quranic inheritance shares (Surah An-Nisa 4:11-12). These are fixed fractions for specific family members that you cannot override.

The optional bequest — Up to one-third (1/3) of your net estate directed to any purpose you choose: charity, non-Muslim family, or additional gifts.

Why you need both an Islamic will and civil compliance

Under UK intestacy law (2026), if you die without a valid will:

The contrast is stark. UK intestacy overweights the spouse, equalises sons and daughters, and ignores religion entirely.

Step 1: Calculate your Faraidh shares

Before writing anything, use a Faraidh calculator — the calculations involve fractions that interact in non-obvious ways.

Key shares:

• Wife: 1/8 (with children) or 1/4 (no children)
• Husband: 1/4 (with children) or 1/2 (no children)
• Each parent: 1/6 (if you have children)
• Daughters only: 1/2 (one) or 2/3 (two or more)
• Sons + daughters: sons receive double daughters' share from remainder

AmanahSuite's Wasiyyah Builder calculates these automatically for your specific family structure.

Step 2: Decide on your optional 1/3 bequest

The 1/3 bequest is one of Islam's most powerful legacy tools. Use it for:

• Sadaqah Jariyah — ongoing charity (mosque fund, water well, Islamic school)
• Non-Muslim family — a non-Muslim spouse, parent, or child who cannot receive Faraidh shares
• Specific causes — organisations whose work you wish to support
• Supplementing a dependent heir — a child with disability or additional needs

Step 3: Record your assets and liabilities

Document everything your executor will need to find and value:

• Property (addresses, mortgage outstanding, title ownership type)
• Bank and savings accounts (institutions, approximate balances)
• Investments — ISAs, pensions, stocks
• Life insurance policies (provider, policy number, named beneficiary)
• Business interests
• Debts (mortgage, loans, credit cards, personal debts)
• Valuable personal property (jewellery, vehicles)

Step 4: Appoint an executor and guardians

Executor: The person responsible for administering your estate — gathering assets, paying debts, and distributing shares. Choose someone organised and trustworthy who understands their obligations.

Guardians: If you have children under 18, name their guardian should both parents die. Without this, a UK court decides — and may appoint someone you would not have chosen.

Step 5: Record your janazah instructions

Your Wasiyyah is the correct place for your Islamic funeral wishes:

• That ghusl (ritual washing) must be performed by a qualified Muslim
• The name of your local Islamic burial society or mosque to contact
• That burial should be performed facing Mecca
• That cremation is strictly prohibited in Islam
• Any specific burial ground preference

Step 6: Sign before two witnesses — correctly

Once complete, your Wasiyyah must be signed under the Wills Act 1837:

• Sign the document yourself
• In the simultaneous presence of two adult witnesses
• Both witnesses must then sign in your presence
• Witnesses must be 18+, of sound mind, and not beneficiaries (or married to beneficiaries)

Step 7: Store and communicate

Store the signed original in a secure, accessible place:

• Fireproof home safe
• With your solicitor
• Land Registry's Wills storage service

Tell your executor and at least one other trusted person exactly where it is kept. A will that cannot be found within days of death is almost as problematic as no will.