Gifting

QUESTION:

In my lifetime, I have given a property to my daughter, which she sold. To my oldest son, I have stipulated in my will that he be given the property which I currently reside in, and is still registered in my name. To my younger son, I gave him a property which was transferred onto his name. What rights do I have on the property I reside in with my oldest son?

ANSWER:

Fuqaha (Jurists) state that gifting is only complete once possession is handed over to the beneficiary/donee. Hence, by making a promise in a will, it does not make the beneficiary the owner of the item. Therefore, in essence, the property belongs to you.

وتتم الهبة بالقبض الكامل ولو الموهوب شاغلا لملك الواهب لا مشغولا به والأصل أن الموهوب مشغولا بملك الواهب منع تمامها وإن شاغلا لا فلو وهب جرابا فيه طعام الواهب أو دارا فيها متاعه أو دابة عليها سرجه وسلمها كذلك لا تصح (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 5/690)

. لأن معنى القبض هو التمكين والتخلي وارتفاع الموانع عرفا وعادة حقيقة (بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع 5/148)

However, it is preferable that you should be equal to all your children when gifting. If you have gifted and transferred the other properties to your children’s name, then you should do so for this son as well.

وذهب الجمهور إلى أن التسوية مستحبة فإن فضل بعضا صح وكره واستحبت المبادرة إلى التسوية أو الرجوع فحملوا الأمر على الندب والنهي على التنزيه (فتح الباري 5/59)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 24 Muharram 1447 / 20 July 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb