WILL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS UNDER COMMON AND ISLAMIC LAW

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Author

Presented To

Department of Law

WILL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS UNDER COMMON AND ISLAMIC LAW

ABSTRACT

The conceptual divergence in respect of the formation of a valid will under both Islamic and common laws will be examined and discussed. Starting from introduction which will introduce us to the general message of the work. The chapters therein have been divided into five.

Chapter one deals with the introduction as mentioned above, and chapter two will talk on pre and post Islamic era of Will.

Chapter three deals with Will under Common Law, its position in the common law as well as under the English statute. Chapter four on the other hand, deals with the analytical comparison of what has been discussed in both chapters two and three, while chapter five, as the last chapter will focus on the general remark, summary and conclusion.

In the Jahiliyah period, before the advent of Islam, Arabs dispose of their properties as they like, as no law concerning bequest or inheritance ever existed to guide them. They could make bequest in favour of any one, depriving their own heirs such as their children, wives and parents. But by the advent of Islam, the legal Quranic injunctions in respect of Will were revealed. These are that wasiyyah (Will) can be made only on 1/3 (one-third) of the entire estate; that no one can make a Will in respect of any legal Quranic heirs etc

On the other hand the English concept of Will under the common law has also made it un-compulsory on a testator to include any provision for his wife and children, that he could make his will in favour of any person without limitation what so ever

Under Islamic law, a testator in not bound to make a will in writing, neither the witness are bound to attest to it A bequest in Islamic law may either be in writing or by words of mouth In either case, it should at least be made before two witnesses While under the common law, the testator must make the will in writing and signed in the presence of witnesses, who should also attest to it as prescribed

Distinguishing feature in the area of capacity in term of age, in also a remarkable aspect which has been resolved in this research Under the Islamic law, physical puberty is attained at the age of fifteen (15) or above While under the common law, the Wills Act of 1837 provides that no will made by a person under the age of twenty-one (21) should be valid, exceptora few exceptions

Further more, in Sharia, bequeathal property should not be something declared illegal or prohibited to possess, such as pigs, intoxicants etc But under the English law, there is no such provision

From afore analysis, we are able to establish that wasiyyah or Will under the Islamic law is of a divine nature, deriving its validity from the Holy Quran and tradition of the Holy prophet Muhammad (SAW)while will under the received English law is never of such divinity, gaining its origin and authority from Man-made arrangement, ie the Will Act of 1637

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract

Table of Contents

Table of Cases

Table of Statutes

CHAPTER ONE:

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

100    Introduction

110    Background to the Study

120    Aims and Objectives of Study

130    Focus of Study

140    Scope of Study

150    Methodology

160    Literature Review

170    Conclusion

CHAPTER TWO

200    Introduction

211     Historical Background of Will Under Islamic Law

2110   Nature of Will in Pre- Islamic Era

2111   Nature of Will in Post " Islamic Era

220     Definition of Will in Islamic Law

2210 Essential Elements of Will Under Islamic Law

2211 The Testator (Al- Moosiy)

2 212   The Beneficiary (Al Moosiy Lahu)

2213   The Subject Matter of Will (Al Moosiy Bi- Hi)

2220  The Capacity of the Testator

2221   Infancy

2222   Insanity

2223   Intoxication

2224   Mistake, Duress and Coercion

223       Formalities (Seegha)

224       Witnesses

230       Conclusion

CHAPTER THREE

300     Introduction

311     Historical Background of Will Under Common Law

3110   Nature of Will at Common Law

3111 Nature of Will under the Statute

320       Definition of Will under the Common English Law

3210   Essential Element of Will in Common Law

3211   The Testator

3212   The Legatee

3213   The Subject " Matter of Will

3220   Capacity of the Testator

3221   Infancy

3222    Insanity

3223    Infirmity or Natural Weakness

3224    Mistake, Fraud, Duress, Coercion and Undue Influence

323     Formalities

324    Witnesses

330     Conclusion

CHAPTER FOUR

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WILL UNDER ISLAMIC AND ENGLISH LAWS

400   Introduction

410   A Comparative Analysis of Historical Background

411   A Comparative Analysis of Definition

412   A Comparative Analysis of Essentials

420   Muslim Wills, and English Law: An Examination of Yunusa vs

Adesubokan

430   Conclusion

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION

51    Recommendation

52    Conclusion