Gifting
Question
In my lifetime, I have given a property to my daughter, which she sold. To my oldest son, I have stipulated in my will that he be given the property which I currently reside in, and is still registered in my name. To my younger son, I gave him a property which was transferred onto his name. What rights do I have on the property I reside in with my oldest son?
Answer
Fuqaha (Jurists) state that gifting is only complete once possession is handed over to the beneficiary/donee. Hence, by making a promise in a will, it does not make the beneficiary the owner of the item. Therefore, in essence, the property belongs to you.
However, it is preferable that you should be equal to all your children when gifting. If you have gifted and transferred the other properties to your children’s name, then you should do so for this son as well.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
وتتم الهبة بالقبض الكامل ولو الموهوب شاغلا لملك الواهب لا مشغولا به والأصل أن الموهوب مشغولا بملك الواهب منع تمامها وإن شاغلا لا فلو وهب جرابا فيه طعام الواهب أو دارا فيها متاعه أو دابة عليها سرجه وسلمها كذلك لا تصح (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 5/690)
. لأن معنى القبض هو التمكين والتخلي وارتفاع الموانع عرفا وعادة حقيقة (بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع 5/148)
وذهب الجمهور إلى أن التسوية مستحبة فإن فضل بعضا صح وكره واستحبت المبادرة إلى التسوية أو الرجوع فحملوا الأمر على الندب والنهي على التنزيه (فتح الباري 5/59)
- Answered by
- Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb
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