by Umm Isam – Content Writer
“And indeed, it is We Who, give life and cause death, and We are the Inheritor.” (Al Hijr 15:23)
Al-Waarith, one of Allah’s (swt) beautiful names, is mentioned in the Quran thrice.
Who is Al-Waarith?
He is the One Who, will ever remain after the creation perishes. Allah Al-Waarith will re-possess whatever He has granted to His creation, after their death. Allah (swt) is and has always been the original Owner of everything. He bequeaths blessings and favours to whomever He wills.
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “And how many a city have We destroyed that was insolent in its (way of) living and those are their dwellings which have not been inhabited after them except briefly. And it is We Who were the Inheritors.” (Al Qasas 28:58)
“And (mention) Zachariah, when he called to his Lord, ‘My Lord, do not leave me alone (with no heir), while You are the best of Inheritors.” (Al Anbiya 21:89)
“Understand Quran” explains that Allah Al-Waarith is the Supreme Heir. He is the One to Whom all creatures return, all possessions return to Him when their possessor is gone and it is He Who, remains after the whole creation has perished.”
What should be our role after learning about Allah Al-Waarith?
- Remember Allah Al-Warith is the rightful Owner
If Allah (swt) is the true Owner of everything that we possess, we have no right to object or feel jealous of His blessings given to anyone in the world. He can give, take, transfer ownership to anyone He deems right as per His ultimate wisdom. If we receive something, we should feel humbled and if He takes away from us, we should trust His decree.
- Do not be attached to this world
This name of Allah (swt) must remind us of our return journey to Allah Al-Waarith. We are here on a mission which is to live according to Allah’s (swt) pleasure. Any losses, pain or failure shouldn’t grieve us. Neither should the dazzle of this world blind us. This perception is liberating and relieves us of entering mindless rat races or enslaving ourselves to other creations or our own desires.
- Be mindful while using Allah Al-Waarith’s (swt) blessings
If you are a temporary custodian of Allah’s (swt) blessings, you cannot waste them or misuse them or use it for committing sins. Just like when we rent a property, we have to abide by certain rules for its upkeep. We know that soon we will have to vacate it to move elsewhere. Our time, health, abilities, knowledge, wealth, everything has to be spent mindfully and fruitfully in obedience to Allah (swt).
- Follow Allah’s (swt) inheritance laws
When we die we must leave behind our inheritance to their rightful heirs as commanded by the Quran. Even if they are rich, non-deserving or not in our good books. We cannot divide our inheritance as per our own desire while we are alive. Only 1/3rd of the inheritance can be donated as per the deceased’s will to some cause or individual who is not an heir.
- Give charity as what we give away is what remains with us
Aisha (rta) reported that they slaughtered a sheep and gave in charity from it. The Prophet (sa) asked: “What remains of it?” Aisha (rta) replied: “Nothing remains but its shoulder.” Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “All of it endures but its shoulder.” (Al-Tirmidhi) If everything in Dunya is to be returned to Allah (swt), why not give in charity while we are alive and invest in Aakhirah. Otherwise our possessions will either be distributed or fought over after we die.
- Quran and the Sunnah are the best inheritance that Allah (swt) has granted in the world
The Anbiya’s true inheritance were the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. The one who learns this is the prophets’ inheritor. The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets. The knowledgeable believers are the inheritors of the scholars. The prophets do not leave gold or silver coins to their heirs, rather they transfer knowledge, so whoever takes from that has taken an abundant share. Allah (swt) is most pleased with such students of Ilm and Amal-e-Sualeh.
- Become the inheritor (Waarith) of Jannah in this Dunya
Following are some deeds performed in Dunya by a believer and highlighted by Prophet Muhammad (sa) that guarantee him/her to become inheritors of Jannah:
- Praying 12 Rakahs of Sunnah
Aisha (rta) narrated that the Prophet (sa) said: “Whoever persists in performing twelve Rakah from the Sunnah, a house will be built for him in Paradise: 4 Rakah before Zuhr, 2 Rakah after Zuhr, 2 Rakah after Maghrib, 2 Rakah after Isha and 2 Rakah before Fajr.” (Ibn Majah)
- Visiting the sick
Thauban (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “He who visits his brother in faith will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits in garden of Jannah till he returns.” (Muslim). This refers to a muslim who visits an ill brother.
- Building a Masjid
Uthman ibn Affan (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
- Reciting Surat Al Ikhlaas 10 times in a day
Abu Hurairah (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “Whoever recites ten times, ‘Say he is Allah the only One’ a palace will be built for him in Paradise…” (Tabarani)
- Feeding people
“And they give food, in spite of love for it, to the needy, the orphan and the captive. (Saying), ‘We feed you only for the face (i.e.approval) of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. Indeed, we fear from our Lord a day austere and distressful.’ So Allah will protect them from the evil of that day and give them radiance and happiness.” (Al Insaan 76:8-11)
- Talking gently and softly
Abu Hurairah (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “Whoever is kind, affable and easygoing, Allah will forbid him from entering hell-fire.” (Baihaqui)
- Spreading the greeting of Salaam
Abu Hurairah (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “By Him in Whose hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which you do, you will love one another. Promote greetings amongst yourself.” (Muslim)
- Exhibiting patience in hardships
Ata bin Abi Rabah (rta) narrated that the prophet (sa) was approached by a black woman who was suffering from Epilepsy requesting the Prophet (sa) to cure her with his Dua to Allah (swt). Prophet (sa) replied: ‘If you wish, be patient and you will (enter) paradise; and if you wish, I will invoke Allah to cure you.” The woman replied: “I will remain patient” and added “but I become uncovered, so please invoke Allah for me that I may not become uncovered.” The prophet (sa) invoked Allah for her. (Bukhari)
- Demonstrating patience after losing a child
Abu Hasan told Abu Hurairah (rta) about the loss of his two sons and if there was any reward for his consolation. Abu Hurairah (rta) narrated that the Prophet (sa) said: “Their little ones are the little ones (Da’aamees) of paradise. When one of them meets his father – or his parents – he takes hold of his garment – or his hand – as I am taking hold of the hem of your garment, and he does not let go until Allah admits him and his father to paradise.” (Muslim)
- Leaving aside arguments in spite of being right
Muadh ibn Jabal (rta) reported that the Prophet (sa) said: “I guarantee a house on the outskirts of paradise, a house in the middle of paradise, and a house in the highest part of paradise for one who gives up arguing even if he is right, who gives up lying even while joking, and who makes his character excellent.” ( Sunan Abi Dawud)
- Praising and thanking Allah (swt) in times of comfort and adversity
Ibn Abbas reported (rta) that the prophet (sa) said: “The first to be called to paradise are those who always praised Allah in times of prosperity and adversity.” (Tabarani)
- Extolling Allah (swt) by reciting “La Hawla Wala Quwwata Illah Billah”
The prophet (sa) said: “Shall I not guide you to a treasure from the treasures of paradise? I said: ‘Yes, O messenger of Allah.’ He said: “La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illah Billah.” (Bukhari)
- Make Dua
اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي ، وَاجْعَلْهُمَا الْوَارِثَيْنِ مِنِّي ، وَانْصُرْنِي عَلَى مَنْ ظَلَمَنِي ، وَأَرِنِي مِنْهُ ثَأْرِي
“O Allah, make my hearing and my sight strong and make them my heirs (that is keep them strong until I die) and support me against the one who has wronged me and avenge me.” (Bukhari)
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