The following topics are discussed below:
1. Revocation of Muslim wills
2. Lapsing of legacies
ADVERTISEMENTS:
3. Abatement of legacies
4. Devolution of inheritance
5. Position of an executor of a Muslim will
6. Probate of a Muslim will, when necessary
ADVERTISEMENTS:
7. Alienation by an heir of his share before payment of debts
8. Validity of alienation of the whole property for payment of debts
9. Decree against an heir, if binding on other heirs
10. Difference between Shia and Sunni law of wills.
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ADVERTISEMENTS:
1. Revocation of Muslim Wills:
A will is, by its very nature, revocable. A testator may, therefore, at any time, revoke his will expressly or tacitly. Thus, when the testator destroys the subject-matter of his bequest, or completely alters its nature, or transfers it to another person, revocation may be inferred.
But the marriage of the testator after the making of the will does not operate as a revocation of the will. This rule of Muhammadan Law is in stark contrast to the rule under the Indian Succession Act, where marriage of the testator revokes his will.
2. Lapsing of Legacies:
Sunni Law:
Under the Sunni Law, if the legatee does not survive the testator, the legacy lapses and forms part of the estate of the testator.
Shia Law:
Under the Shia law, however, if the legatee does not survive the testator, the legacy does not lapse, but passes to the heirs of the legatee. It is only when the legatee has no heirs, that the legacy will lapse.
3. Abatement of Legacies:
Sunni Law:
If the bequests exceed the bequeathable third, and the heirs do not consent, under the Sunni law, the bequests abate rateably. Bequests for pious purposes are also decreased proportionately as bequests for secular purposes, and do not have precedence over them.
But bequests for pious purposes are themselves divided into three classes : (i) obligatory charities, e.g., a bequest for the performance of Haj on behalf of the deceased; (ii) recommended, but not obligatory, e.g., a bequest for charity on the second class take precedence over those of the third.
Shia Law:
The Shia law does not recognise the principle of abatement. Of several bequests, the first in time prevails until the bequeathable third is exhausted. Where several bequests are to be found in a will, priority is determined by the order in which they are mentioned. It is to be noted, however, that where there are successive bequests of the exact third to two different persons, the later bequest prevails.
Problem:
A bequeaths 1/6th of his property to C, 1/2 to F and the remaining to S, one of his heirs. The other heirs do not give consent to these bequests. What would be the result on the rights of the legatees, if the testator is (i) a Sunni, (ii) a Shia?
Ans:
If the testator is a Sunni, the bequest to S, who is one of his heirs, will fail. The bequests to Ñ and F will rateably abate, and they will take 1/12 and 1/4 respectively.
According to the Shia law, a bequest to an heir is valid so long as it does not exceed the bequeathable third. If the testator is a Shia, S will take 1/3.
4. Devolution of Inheritance:
A deceased Muslim’s estate vests in his heirs immediately on his death, and it may be distributed among his heirs even before the payment of his debts, unless the estate is insolvent. Before the distribution of the deceased’s estate, all the heirs are jointly liable to pay the debts due from the deceased to the extent of the assets received. After distribution, each heir’s liability is proportionate to the share of the assets that comes to his hands.
Parties to Creditor’s Suit for Debts:
(i) If there is an executor or administrator of the deceased’s estate, he must be sued, (ii) If not, the creditor must, if the estate is distributed, join all the heirs as defendants, so as to make their shares liable for the debt, (iii) If the estate is not distributed, the creditor must obtain a decree against all the heirs who are in possession of the estate.
5. Position of an Executor of a Muslim Will:
Under the strict Muhammadan law, the executor was merely a manager to carry out the intentions of the testator. He was a trustee appointed by the testator to superintend, protect and take care of his property and children after his death. He was not the legal owner of the property of the deceased, and the property did not vest in him. He had no power to sell or mortgage or alienate the property in any other way.
But now, under the provisions of S. 211 of the Indian Succession Act, an executor of a Muslim’s will is his legal representative for all purposes, and all the property of the deceased vests in him; therefore, he has the power to dispose of the property in due course of administration.
6. Probate of a Muslim will, when Necessary:
A Muslim will may, after due proof, be admitted in evidence, though no probate has been obtained (Sir Mahomed Yusuf v. Hargovindas (1932) I.L.R. 47 Bom. 331).
The position of the executor of a Muslim will is governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925. The property of the testator vests in him, and can be sold and conveyed by him, without taking a probate or obtaining the consent of all the heirs. (Sec. 307 of the Indian Succession Act).
Nor is it necessary, in case of intestacy, that his heirs should obtain letters of administration to establish their right to any part of his property. (Secs. 212 and 213 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925). An oral will may, after proof, be admitted to probate.
A Muslim whose marriage is solemnised or registered under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, is governed by the exception made by Sec. 213(2) of the Indian Succession Act. Accordingly, a probate is not necessary, and a succession certificate can be granted under Sec. 370 of that Act. (Dr. Alma Latifi v. Nasima Latifi, (1961) 63 BLR 940)
The only case when a title of representation is necessary is when it is ought to recover a debt due to the deceased through the Court. No Court can pass a decree against the debtor of a deceased Muslim for payment of his debt to a person claiming on succession to be entitled to the effects of the deceased, or proceed upon an application of a person claiming to be so entitled, to execute against such a debtor a decree or order for the payment of his debt, except on the production, by the person so claiming, of a probate or letters of administration or a succession certificate.
7. Alienation by an Heir of his Share before Payment of Debts:
Even before the distribution of the estate, an heir may transfer his own share, and pass a good title to a bona fide purchaser for value notwithstanding that the debts of the deceased are not paid.
A creditor of a deceased Muslim cannot follow his estate into the hands of a bona fide purchaser for value to whom it has been alienated by his heir-at-law. (Syed Bazayet Hussein v. Dooli Chund, (1878) 5 I.A. 211)
Subject to S. 52 of the Transfer of Property Act, every heir of deceased Muslim is entitled,
(1) To dispose of his share in any manner he likes; and
(2) To pass a good title to a bona fide purchaser for value, notwithstanding that the debts of the deceased yet remain unpaid.
Thus, even before the distribution of the estate
(i) If any of the heirs transfer his own share to a bona fide transferee for value, or
(ii) If his share is sold in execution of a decree passed against him, —
It passes a good title to the transferee or to the purchaser, as the case may be, notwithstanding any debts that might be due from the deceased.
Cases:
1. A Muslim died leaving a widow and a son. He left considerable property. After his death, the widow brought a suit against the son, who was in possession of the whole estate, for administration of the estate and for payment of her dower-debt. A decree was passed, directing the son to render an account and providing for payment of the dower-debt out of the properties.
The widow then applied for execution of the decree. Pending execution, the son mortgaged his share to M, who filed a suit on his mortgage and obtained a decree for sale. The son’s share was sold in execution of the mortgage-decree to P. The question arises as to the rights of the widow as against P.
In the above circumstances, P would take the son’s share, subject to the decree in favour of the widow. (Maulvie Mahomad Wajid v. Syed Bazayet, 1878 5 I.A. 211)
2. A Muslim dies, leaving several heirs. After his death, the heirs sell the whole of his estate, without caring to pay any debts of the deceased. After the sale, a creditor of the deceased obtains a decree against the heirs for his debt, and applies for execution of his decree by attachment and sale of the property in the hands of the purchaser.
Here, the purchaser has to prove that he was a bona fide purchaser for value, if he does so, he will succeed, inasmuch as a creditor of a deceased Muslim cannot follow his estate into the hands of a bona fide purchaser for value. (Land Mortgage Bank v. Bidyadari, 1880 7 Cal. L.R. 460)
8. Validity of Alienation of the Whole Property for Payment of the Deceased’s Debts:
The inheritance of Muslim vests at his death by a specific title in each individual heir. A single heir cannot represent the entire estate of the deceased, and cannot deal with the shares of co-heirs without their consent.
Therefore, an alienation of the whole of the property of a deceased Muslim by one of his several heirs, even though he is in possession, and even if it be for the payment of the debts of the deceased, is not binding upon his co-heirs. (Alisaheb v. Shesho Govind, (1931) 33 Bom. L.R. 1238). Such alienation operates as a transfer only of his interest in the property.
9. Decree against an Heir, if Binding on Other Heirs:
According to the Calcutta High Court, a creditor’s suit is an administration suit, and any heir in possession of the estate represents the estate for the purposes of the suit. Therefore, if a creditor of a deceased Muslim obtains a decree against some of his heirs, the decree is binding on the other heirs. (Muttyjan v. Ahmed Ally, (1882) I.L.R. 8 Cal. 370)
However, this would be so only if:
(i) The decree was not a consent decree or a decree obtained by fraud; and
(ii) The heir who is sued is in possession of the estate on behalf of the other heirs, and not on behalf of himself. (Abbas Naskar v. Chairman, District Board, 24 Parganas, (1932) I.L.R. 56 Cal, 691)
According to the decision of the Bombay High Court, in Bhagirthibai v. Roshanbi (1919 I.L.R. 43 Bom. 412), and also according to the Allahabad and Madras High Courts, and the Chief Court of Oudh, a decree obtained by a creditor of a deceased Muslim against some of his heirs is not binding on the other heirs. Only the parties to the suit are bound by the decree, and consequently, only their property can be sold under the decree.
Cases:
1. Wahidunissa v. Shubrattaum, (1870) 14 W.R. 329:
A Muslim dies, leaving two sisters as his only heirs. After his death, C, one of his creditors, obtains a decree against the sisters for the debt due to him by the deceased. Subsequently, D, a creditor of the sisters, obtains a decree against them for his debt, and the property of the deceased in their hands is sold in execution of the decree to P, an auction purchaser. C, in execution of his own decree, attaches the property in the hands of P, and claims to set aside the sale in favour of P.
On the above facts, the Court held that where the property is transferred to a third person in good faith for valuable consideration, the creditor of the deceased cannot follow it in the hands of the transferee. The mere existence of debts payable by the estate does not affect the title of the transferee, even though he has knowledge of the debts. Therefore, Ñ is not entitled to attach the property in the hands of P in execution of his decree.
2. Syed Bazayet Hussein v. Dooli Chand, (1878) 5 I.A. 211:
A Muslim dies, leaving a widow and a son. A sum of Rs. 5,000 is due to the widow for her dower. The son mortgages his own share in the estate to M, without paying the dower-debt. After the mortgage, the widow obtains a decree for the dower-debt against her son, who is in possession of the whole estate, and attaches his share in execution of her decree. M then obtains a decree against the son on his mortgage for sale of the son’s share. The son’s share is sold in execution of the mortgagee’s decree and purchased by P.
As seen earlier, an heir may transfer his share and pass a good title to a bona fide purchaser for value, notwithstanding any debt due from the deceased. A widow is nothing more than an unsecured creditor in respect of the dower-debt.
M’s mortgage, having been made before the attachment by the widow in execution of her decree against the son, P, is entitled to recover the son’s share free from attachment. The widow cannot claim the amount of her decree from P.
3. In Jafri Begum v. Amir Muhammad, (1885) 7 All. 822, it has been held that the whole estate of a deceased Muslim, if he has died intestate, or so much of it as has not been disposed of by will, if he has left a will, devolves on his heirs at the moment of his death, and the devolution is not suspended by reason merely of debts being due from the deceased.
This principle was also confirmed by the Supreme Court in Ebrahim Aboobaker v. Òåk Chand, (A.I.R. 1953 S.C. 298).
10. Difference between Shia and Sunni Law of Wills:
The following are eight important points of difference between the Shia and Sunni law relating to wills:
1. Bequests to an Heir:
Under the Sunni law, a bequest to an heir, whether it exceeds the bequeathable third or not, is invalid, unless the other heirs consent to it after the testator’s death. Under the Shia law, if the bequest to an heir does not exceed one-third of the estate, no consent is required to validate it. If it exceeds the legal third, such consent is necessary.
2. Consent of Heirs:
Under the Sunni law, a bequest to an heir is invalid unless the other heirs consent to it after the testator’s death. Under the Shia law, consent by the other heirs may be given before or after the testator’s death.
3. Consent in Case of Bequest to a Non-Heir:
Under the Sunni law, a bequest exceeding the legal third in favour of a non-heir cannot take effect, unless the heirs consent to it after the testator’s death. Under Shia law, the consent necessary to validate a bequest exceeding the legal third may be given either before or after the testator’s death.
4. Lapsing of Legacy:
If the legatee dies before the testator, the legacy lapses under Sunni law. Under the Shia law, if the legatee dies before the testator, the legacy pass to the legatee’s heirs, unless revoked by the testator.
5. Life-Estates:
Life-estates are not recognised in Sunni law. They are, however, recognised in Shia law.
6. Will of a Person Committing Suicide:
The will of a person committing suicide is valid in Sunni law; under Shia law, if a person wounds himself mortally, or takes poison for committing suicide, and then makes a will, such a will is invalid.
7. Bequests to Testator’s Murderer:
Under Sunni law, a bequest to a person who kills the testator is void, even where the legatee accidentally causes the death of the testator; such a bequest under the Shia law is void only when death is caused intentionally.
8. Abatement of Bequests:
Under Sunni law, where the bequests exceed the legal third and the heirs do not consent to them, the bequests abate rateably. Under the Shia law, there is no rateable abatement. Bequests prior in date take priority over those that are later in date. But where there are successive bequests, all of the exact third, the later bequest will be a revocation of the first.
