Which is better, a bequest or an endowment, and what are the benefits associated with an endowment?
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The questioner : A questioner says: O honorable Shaykh, which is better, a bequest or an endowment, and what are the benefits associated with an endowment?
The Shaykh : A bequest is better in one respect, and an endowment is better in another respect. An endowment, if a person endows something, it becomes an endowment immediately, and he cannot revoke it. There is no difference between it being large or small. A bequest is not executed until after death, and only what is one-third or less is executed for a non-heir. An example of this is a man who has a building and endows it while he is in good health for the poor, or for mosques, or for students of knowledge. The important thing is that he endows this building, and he has nothing else. Is the endowment executed or not? It is executed. The endowment is executed, and he has no right to revoke it. Second: He bequeaths this building. Is the bequest executed from the time of the bequest, or is it not executed until after death?
The student: After death.
The Shaykh : Yes, the second answer is that it is not executed until after death. Then we say: If he dies, is this building less than one-third, or one-third or less? If so, we execute it. Is it more? If so, we do not execute what exceeds one-third of the estate, except with the permission of the heirs. And I say on this occasion: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Therefore, a person should give charity with what Allah wills during his lifetime. And among the best of lasting charities is to participate in building mosques, or to build them independently if he has money. This is because mosques are the houses of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and Allah has associated them with Himself. Also, because mosques are the refuge of those who pray, those who recite the Book of Allah, jurists, and students of knowledge. They may also be a refuge for the poor in some countries. Therefore, our situation today is best served by seeing endowments being made for building mosques, either independently or in partnership. Yes.
The Shaykh : A bequest is better in one respect, and an endowment is better in another respect. An endowment, if a person endows something, it becomes an endowment immediately, and he cannot revoke it. There is no difference between it being large or small. A bequest is not executed until after death, and only what is one-third or less is executed for a non-heir. An example of this is a man who has a building and endows it while he is in good health for the poor, or for mosques, or for students of knowledge. The important thing is that he endows this building, and he has nothing else. Is the endowment executed or not? It is executed. The endowment is executed, and he has no right to revoke it. Second: He bequeaths this building. Is the bequest executed from the time of the bequest, or is it not executed until after death?
The student: After death.
The Shaykh : Yes, the second answer is that it is not executed until after death. Then we say: If he dies, is this building less than one-third, or one-third or less? If so, we execute it. Is it more? If so, we do not execute what exceeds one-third of the estate, except with the permission of the heirs. And I say on this occasion: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: