Download PDF: [S] Scholar solves an Inheritance Problem

It is reported that the Khalifah in Damascus, namely Abdul Malik bin Marwan, was a famous leader in the Ummayyah Dynasty. He was learned in various faculties of knowledge. As a matter of fact, the famous historian, Abu Zinaad, has mentioned that there were four famous Islamic Jurists in Madina Shareef. They were Sa’eed bin Musayyib, Urwah bin Zurbair, Qubadiah bin Zubiyah and Abdul Malik bin Marwan. In other words, from this statement, we can see that people certainly considered him to be a very educated person.

 

It is reported that once, a female approached Abdul Malik bin Marwan and said to him, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen! My brother has passed away and he has left six hundred Dinaars to his inheritors. The people have only given me one single Dinaar as my inheritance. They have also informed me that this is what I am legally entitled for. Therefore, I wish to ask you about what is my rightful share and please make sure that these people give me what I am entitled for.”

 

However, when Abdul Malik heard this request, he was completely stunned. He immediately called for Hadrat Imam Shubah – may Allah be pleased with him – and presented the entire question in front of him. When the eminent scholar heard this, he immediately gave the answer that this lady was certainly only entitled for one single Dinaar. He then continued, “Perhaps, the brother of this female may have left two daughters and they were entitled for four hundred Dinaars. Perhaps, he may have also had a mother, and she was entitled for one hundred Dinaars. If he had a wife, she was also entitled for seventy five Dinaars. Perchance, he may had twelve brothers and each was entitled for two Dinaars each. Therefore, there remained only one Dinaar and this is what was left for this female.”

 

When the female heard this, she immediately agreed that this was indeed the amount of inheritors which was described and she was fully satisfied with the explanation. At the same time, Abdul Malik bin Marwan was also shocked and stunned at the immediate answer given by Imam Shubah – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

These types of answers are many which can be seen and also found in Islamic history. In fact, this was the quality of early Muslim scholars and the immense knowledge which they possessed.

 

As a matter of fact, the same type of question was once presented to Sultan Harun Rashid and he also immediately gave the answer to this question. Yet, there is no doubt that there is a severe drought in regard to finding scholars of this quality. Another reason is that there are people who are sitting in educational institutes and so called Khanqas who are mostly unfit to sit in these positions. (Ruhani Hikaayat)