Meaning of 'Waj‘alhu al-Waarith Minna' Fatwa No: 1172
- Fatwa Date:8-11-2007
It is mentioned in a Hadeeth that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to supplicate Allaah the Almighty saying: "Allaahumma matti‘na bi asmaa‘ina wa absaarina wa quwaatina abadan ma ahyaytana waj‘alhu al-waarith minna. (O Allaah Let us enjoy our hearing, our sight and our power as long as you do grant us life, and make them our heirs)." What is the meaning of "waj‘alhu al-waarith minna"? What is the nature of such inheritance between the human being and his senses?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.
This Hadeeth was narrated by At-Tirmithi and Al-Haakim and it is a n authentic Hadeeth.
Scholars differ about the meaning of "Waj‘alhu al-waarith minna," however the predominant opinion is that it means that the human being dies while he enjoys his hearing, sight and power till the point of death.
Allaah Knows best.