QUESTION:
At the final stage of submission, two of the heirs have refused to sign, stating that they were pressured into signing the initial agreement to distribute the estate in accordance with Shariah. As a result of this, the lawyer has no option but to proceed with the distribution using the existing will. I am one of two executors on the will. What is the correct way forward in terms of Shariah, if we wish to resign as executors at this juncture?
ANSWER:
It is recorded in the Kitaabs of Fiqh that an executor may be dismissed, or may resign, in the following instances:
1. The testator reserves the right to dismiss the executor and replace him with another executor during his lifetime. Since the executor acts as an agent on behalf of the testator, he reserves the right to dismiss him.
2. The Muslim judge may dismiss the executor if he is unable to fulfill his duties as the executor, or if the executor is found guilty of deception in matters pertaining to the estate.
3. If an executor wishes to resign after the demise of the testator, then the matter should be presented before a Muslim judge (or a reputable Darul Ifta in the absence of a Muslim judge) together with his reasons for wanting to resign. If the Muslim judge finds the executor to be a trustworthy person who can fulfill his duties, then his request may be declined. Yes, if the Muslim judge finds the executor to be incompetent to fulfill his duties, or unable to attend to matters of the estate due to his involvement in other occupations, then he may accept his resignation, or he may join another person to assist him.
4. If the executor loses his sanity, engages in acts of sin and transgression, or turns apostate, then he loses his position of executorship. Similarly, the position of executorship ceases on one’s demise.
5. An executor will not retain his position of executorship after having completed his duties and responsibilities. For example, a person was appointed as an executor to settle the debts of the deceased. On completing his tasks, he will lose his position of executorship. Or, one was appointed as an executor to attend to the needs of the Marhoom’s immature children. On reaching puberty, his position of executorship will cease. [Re:- Fataawa Uthmaniyyah Pg.441 Vol.10]
Now coming to your query, all the heirs had jointly agreed to have the estate dissolved in accordance with the Shari’ee law of succession. The executors cannot resign simply because two heirs are no longer willing to abide by the laws of Shariah. The executors should try to enforce the laws of Shariah as far as possible.
If they fail, then the matter should be referred to a reputable Darul Ifta once more, where all parties concerned should sign an arbitration document in which they agree to abide by the ruling of the organization. This brings us to the conclusion that the current executors do not have valid grounds to step down from their position of executorship.
We suggest that the names of the various reputable Darul Iftas are written down and one organization be chosen to arbitrate the matter. The decision of this institute will be final and binding.
ولو كان الوصي عاجزا عن القيام بالوصية) أي أمورها (ضم) القاضي (إليه) أي إلى العاجز (غيره) ؛ لأن في الضم رعاية الحقين حق الموصي وحق الورثة؛ لأن تكميل النظر يحصل به؛ لأن النظر يتم بإعانة غيره، ولو شكا الوصي إلى القاضي ذلك فلا يجيبه حتى يعرف ذلك حقيقة؛ لأن الشاكي قد يكون كاذبا تخفيفا على نفسه.
(وإن كان) الوصي (قادرا) على القيام بأمور الوصاية (أمينا لا يخرج) على صيغة المجهول وفاعله المنوب عنه هو القاضي.
(وإن شكا إليه الورثة) كلهم (أو بعضهم) منه أي من الوصي (ما لم تظهر منه خيانة) قال الزيلعي لو كان قادرا على التصرف، وهو أمين ليس للقاضي أن يخرجه؛ لأنه مختار الميت، ولو اختار غيره كان دونه فكان إبقاؤه أولى.
ألا يرى أن الوصي يقدم على أبي الميت مع وفور شفقته فأولى أن يقدم على غيره، وكذا إذا شكت الورثة أو بعضهم إليه لا ينبغي أن يعزله حتى تبدو له منه خيانة؛ لأنه استفاد الولاية من الميت غير أنه إذا ظهرت منه الخيانة فاتت الأمانة، والميت إنما اختاره لأجلها، وليس من النظر إبقاؤه بعد فوتها، وهو لو كان حيا لأخرجه منها فينوب القاضي منابه عند عجزه، ويقيم غيره مقامه كأنه مات ولا وصي له، ولم يذكر ما إذا فعل القاضي ما ليس له، وعزل الوصي العدل المختار هل ينعزل أم لا وذكر ذلك قاضي خان في فتاواه حيث قال وصي الميت إذا كان عدلا كافيا فلا ينبغي للقاضي أن يعزله، وإذا لم يكن عدلا يعزله ولا ينصب وصيا آخر، ولو كان عدلا غير كاف لا يعزله ولكن يضم إليه كافيا، ولو عزل ينعزل وكذا لو عزل القاضي العدل الكافي ينعزل كما ذكره الشيخ الإمام المعروف بخواهر زاده. (مجمع الأنهر ص720 ج2)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date:- 02 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1445 / 18 September 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
