What is the meaning of the verse: "O you who have believed, prescribed for you when death approaches one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest..."?

The verse, "Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you, if he leaves wealth, is the bequest to parents and near relatives according to what is reasonable – a duty upon the righteous," included the command to make a will for parents and near relatives. This was obligatory before the revelation of the verses of inheritance, which abrogated it. Thus, inheritances became a prescribed obligation, mandated by Allah Almighty without a will, and for this reason, the Hadith states: "Indeed, Allah has given every rightful person his right, so there is no will for an heir."

The majority of exegetes believe that this verse is abrogated by the verses of inheritance. Others hold that it applies to parents and near relatives who are not heirs.

The more preferable view is that this bequest to parents and near relatives was general, and then Allah determined the share of the inheriting parents and relatives in the verses of inheritance. The ruling remains for those parents who do not inherit due to being prevented from inheritance, and others who are excluded by a person or a characteristic. A Muslim is commanded to make a will for these individuals, as they are the most deserving of his kindness. This view reconciles the differing opinions and achieves agreement among the verses.