Non-Muslim grandparent giving all her wealth to Muslim grandchild as gift
Fatwa No: 365563

Question

Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. My grandmother, who is divorced, has only one son (my father). I have two brothers. My grandmother does not have a good relationship with my father and with my older brother due to passed discussions,and she does not want her inheritance to go to them. She wants to give me everyhing as a gift in her lifetime so that when she dies nothing will go as inheritance. Otherwise, she promises to give everything to voluntary associations. I have tried to adjust their relationship, but she is immovable. I am Muslim, a revert, but my whole family, including my grandmother, father and brothers are not Muslim unfortunately. They are not going to think in an Islamic way. I know that I do not have the right to inherit from a non-Muslmim, but this respects all conditions of the gift, and I can get it. Is it haram if I get everything as a gift despite them? I feel very sorry about this situation, and if I get her wealth when she dies, I really want to give something to them, but do I have to divide it in equal parts then, or can I choose how to manage this money? With my little brother, who is twelve years old, everything is ok, and she wants to give me the responsibility to hold his money till he becomes older. How much must I give him? May Allah reward you. Please, if possible, give me some hadiths as reference.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

As long as your grandmother will give you her wealth willingly as a gift while she is in good health, then there is nothing wrong with accepting her gift.

The fatwa of the Standing Committee reads, “As regards Muslim children accepting the gifts, donations, and wills of their non-Muslim parents (or grandparents), it is permissible.

Once you receive this wealth [i.e. when it comes into your possession], it becomes your property and it becomes permissible for you to give your brothers as you wish [or not give them anything]; and you do not have to divide it between them according to their share in the inheritance.

Allah knows best.

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