What should a man do who served a Muslim woman, and she willed him a sum of money, with the rest of her money bequeathed to dog hospitals and churches in America, and he is now responsible for selling an apartment of hers in Egypt, and he must send part of its price to America to be distributed as she willed? Is it permissible for him to dispose of the rest of the money for charitable projects in his country?
It is impermissible for a man to serve a non- woman if it entails (private seclusion), touching, or seeing her awra (private parts). Bequeathing to churches is not valid, as it is a bequest for a sinful purpose. Similarly, a bequest to dog hospitals is not valid because they do not own anything; hospitals generally do not own property. If the woman bequeathed to the aforementioned man an amount not exceeding one-third of her wealth, he has a right to it. If it exceeds one-third, then the heirs' approval is necessary; otherwise, he is only entitled to one-third, and the remaining wealth reverts to the Muslim heirs. If there are no Muslim heirs, it is returned to the Muslim treasury (Bayt al-Mal) or spent on the general welfare of Muslims.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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