The Inheritance of Prophet Muhammad (saw) In a Nutshell The Prophet (saw) upon his death in 632 CE, left behind a modest material inheritance consisting primarily of personal effects and some property, but his most significant legacy was immaterial—the teachings, societal framework, and spiritual guidance embodied in the Quran and his personal example (Sunnah). Classical Islamic scholarship largely concurs that prophets do not leave material wealth for inheritance in the conventional sense, as articulated in the hadith: "We (prophets) do not leave inheritance; whatever we leave is charity." This principle shaped the distribution of Muhammad's worldly possessions and established the distinctive nature of prophetic legacy in Islamic thought. Background The Prophet (saw) passed away on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal in the 11th year after Hijrah (8 June 632 CE) in Medina, at approximately 63 years of age. His death marked a pivotal moment in Islamic history, creating both spiritual bereavement and practical questions about leadership succession and the disposition of his personal possessions. Despite his position as the leader of the growing Muslim community and his role in the establishment of a state in Medina, Muhammad lived with notable simplicity. Historical accounts suggest he maintained modest living conditions, slept on a simple mattress, owned basic clothing, and rarely accumulated wealth beyond immediate needs. This lifestyle reflected his teachings about detachment from material possessions and emphasis on charity and community welfare. The Material Inheritance According to classical Islamic sources, his material possessions at the time of his death were limited. They included his personal effects such as clothing, including his mantle (burdah), turbans, and shirts; weapons including swords (most famously Dhul-Fiqar), shields, and bows; household items; a few animals including horses and camels and some land properties in Medina and the oasis of Fadak. The disposition of these possessions became a matter of significant historical importance, particularly regarding his land holdings. A hadith narrated by Aisha and recorded in Sahih Bukhari states: "The Prophet said, 'Our property is not inherited. Whatever we leave, is for charity.' After the Prophet's death, Fatima (his daughter) came to Abu Bakr and claimed her inheritance of what Allah's Messenger had left. Abu Bakr said, 'Allah's Messenger said: Our property is not inherited, whatever we leave is charity.'" This hadith became central to Islamic jurisprudential discussions about prophetic inheritance and was used by Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, to establish that Muhammad's properties should become public charity (sadaqah) rather than being distributed according to conventional inheritance laws detailed in the Quran. Scholarly Views on Prophetic Inheritance Classical Islamic scholars generally agree on the exceptional nature of prophetic inheritance, though with some nuanced differences. The majority Sunni position, represented by scholars like Imam al-Shafi'i, Ibn Qudamah, and Ibn Taymiyyah, maintains that prophets do not leave inheritable wealth based on the aforementioned hadith. They hold that Muhammad's properties were to be utilised for the public good as charitable endowments. Al-Mawardi, in his "Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah," elaborates that the Prophet's lands became what would later be classified as "fay'" (public property) under the stewardship of the caliph for the benefit of the Muslim community. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in his commentary "Fath al-Bari," analyses the hadith about prophetic inheritance and explains that this principle applies specifically to prophets due to their unique status as spiritual guides whose primary mission was to provide guidance rather than accumulate wealth. The Shi'a perspective, particularly articulated by scholars like al-Kulayni and al-Tusi, presents a somewhat different view. They question the application of the hadith about prophetic inheritance and suggest that normal inheritance rules should have applied to Muhammad's personal possessions, citing verses from the Quran that speak about inheritance between prophets, such as Sulayman (Solomon) inheriting from Dawud (David), and Zakariya (Zechariah) praying for an heir. Verses and Hadiths on Inheritance The Quran contains detailed inheritance laws in Surah An-Nisa (4:11-12), which specify portions for various family members. However, regarding prophetic inheritance specifically, scholars often cite the following verse that mentions prophetic succession: "And Sulayman inherited from Dawud..." (Quran 27:16) Some scholars interpret this as referring to inheritance of knowledge and prophethood rather than material possessions. Regarding Muhammad's specific case, the hadith most frequently cited is: "We (the prophets) do not leave inheritance; what we leave behind is charity." (Sahih Bukhari) Another relevant hadith reports: "My heirs should not divide any dinar or dirham [forms of currency] between them. Whatever I leave, excluding the maintenance of my wives and my servants, is charity." (Sahih Bukhari) These traditions formed the basis for the treatment of Muhammad's possessions after his death. The Spiritual Inheritance While discussions of material inheritance have historical significance, Islamic scholarship emphasises that his true legacy was spiritual and intellectual. This immaterial inheritance includes: The Quran, considered by Muslims to be the verbatim word of God, preserved and transmitted through Muhammad. This remains the primary source of Islamic law, theology, and guidance. The Sunnah, the Prophet's personal example, embodied in his speech, actions, and tacit approvals, which was later collected in hadith compilations and remains the second most important source of religious authority in Islam. The Prophet is reported to have said: "The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, and prophets do not leave behind dinars or dirhams; they only leave behind knowledge, so whoever takes it has taken a great fortune." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi) This hadith emphasises that the true inheritance of prophets is their teachings rather than material wealth. Conclusion The inheritance left by the Prophet (saw) presents a multifaceted legacy that transcends material possessions. While historical records indicate he left behind modest personal effects and properties, the Islamic position formalised after his death established that these possessions were not to be distributed as conventional inheritance but rather became public charity for the benefit of the Muslims. This principle highlights the unique status of prophethood in Islamic thought, where the emphasis lies on spiritual guidance rather than worldly accumulation. Far more significant than any material inheritance, his lasting legacy consists of the Quran, his Sunnah, the religious community (ummah) he established, and the comprehensive way of life he instituted. These elements continue to shape the lives of Muslims globally, making them the most consequential aspects of his inheritance. As he reportedly stated: "I have left among you two things; you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." References Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Military Expeditions. Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim, Book of Jihad and Expeditions. Ibn Hisham, Abdul Malik. Sirat Rasul Allah (Biography of the Prophet). Ibn Sa'd, Muhammad. Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir (The Book of the Major Classes). Al-Mawardi, Ali ibn Muhammad. Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah (The Ordinances of Government). Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani. Fath al-Bari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari. Al-Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Ya'qub. Al-Kafi. Al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir. Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk (History of the Prophets and Kings). FAQs Q: Did the Prophet Muhammad leave any written will before his death? Historical sources do not mention his leaving a formal written will regarding his personal possessions. However, his statements about charitable distribution of prophetic possessions (recorded in hadith) effectively functioned as guidance for handling his material assets. Additionally, during his final illness, he gave verbal instructions about various matters including religious practices and treatment of other faith communities in the Arabian Peninsula. Q: What happened to the Prophet's personal possessions after his death? Following the principle that prophetic possessions become charity, his land properties were placed under the administration of the Islamic state for public benefit. Many of his personal effects were preserved by his companions and family members and became venerated historical artifacts, some of which were preserved through generations at various Islamic sites and museums. Q: Was there disagreement about the Prophet's inheritance? Yes, historical sources record that after his death, his daughter Fatima approached the first Caliph Abu Bakr requesting her share of her father's properties, particularly the Fadak oasis. When Abu Bakr cited the hadith that prophets do not leave inheritance, it created a point of contention. This disagreement has remained a historically significant difference between Sunni and Shi'a understandings of early Islamic history.