Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Warith (The Heir)
Table of Contents
The Significance of the Name Al-Warith (The Heir)
The Heir, The Inheritor of All.
Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Warith (The Heir) (in Arabic: ٱلْوَارِثُ), The One who remains after all has past. He is everlasting, and to whom all possessions will be returned.
What does it mean for Allah to inherit?
We begin by defining what it means to receive an inheritance. It usually refers to the passing down of money, property, or some material thing from one person to another upon their passing. This is typically a transfer from a parent or spouse down the family tree to preserve whatever wealth they had. Now, with respect to Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ what does it mean to say he is Al-Warith (The Heir), The Inheritor? As we discussed in the previous name Al-Baqi (The Eternal) and Al-Akhir (The Infinite Last One), He is the one who will exist after all possessors disappear.
Evidence from the Quran
(Surely it is We Who give life and cause death. And We are the ˹Eternal˺ Successor) Al-Hijr 15:23
(وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثُونَ)
(And ˹remember˺ when Zachariah cried out to his Ar-Rabb (The Lord), “My Ar-Rabb (The Lord)! Do not leave me childless, though You are the Best of Successors.) Al-Anbiya 21:89
(وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًۭا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ)
(the Day all will appear ˹before Allah (The Almighty)˺. Nothing about them will be hidden from Him. ˹He will ask,˺ “Who does all authority belong to this Day? To Allah (The Almighty) - the Al-Wahid (The One), the Al-Qahhaar (The All-Prevailing One)!) Ghafir 40:16
(يَوْمَ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَ ۖ لَا يَخْفَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مِنْهُمْ شَىْءٌۭ ۚ لِّمَنِ ٱلْمُلْكُ ٱلْيَوْمَ ۖ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ)
Understanding that Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Warith (The Heir) is also a testament to the person's belief in tawhid (oneness). We recognize Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ works alone, and so the claim to everything is for Him solely. He has no partners with whom the inheritance must be shared.
All things will inevitably perish, therefore we need to be wiser in our pursuits and how we spend our time, money, and effort. One of the foundational teachings of Islam is that all things return to Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. Nothing was ever ours to begin with. Wanting financial security for our family's well-being is an honorable mission, but it shouldn't be our main focus and concern in life. Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ does not say we are forbidden from seeking pleasure from things which He's allowed. The problems arise when we only live for pleasure and forget our duty towards Allah (The Almighty) سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ.
Sadaqah Jariyah (Ongoing Charity)
What good will your soul reap even long after you're gone? This is the concept behind Sadaqah Jariyah (the continuing/perpetual charity). In this way, we can be the inheritors of whatever/whoever our unique touch reaches.
Sahl bin Mu'adh bin Anas narrated from his father that: The Prophet said: "Whoever teaches some knowledge will have the reward of the one who acts upon it, without that detracting from his reward in the slightest."
Being a teacher or educator allows us to reap the same reward as the person who learns from it. Just about everybody can be a teacher; by sharing your experience and inviting others in to learn from your wisdom or mistakes.
"It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except three: Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him.'"
Seek ways in which your good deeds will multiply without your involvement. Having kids and raising them to be righteous will be one of the greatest future rewards to benefit you. All the love and energy you spend as a parent is stored inside your child. That kind of effort is not wasted.
Other examples of sadaqah jariyah: Narrated Sa'd ibn Ubadah: Sa'd asked: Messenger of Allah, Umm Sa'd has died; what form of sadaqah is best? He replied: Water (is best). He dug a well and said: It is for Umm Sa'd. [2]
"It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except three: Ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him.'"
Al-Warith (The Heir): The Certainty of the Hereafter
The concept of the Hereafter is deeply intertwined with Allah (The Almighty)'s role as Al-Warith (The Heir). In Islam, life is seen as a temporary journey, with the Hereafter as the ultimate destination where true life begins. Understanding Allah (The Almighty) as Al-Warith (The Heir) reinforces this perspective, reminding us that every earthly possession will eventually return to Him, the Everlasting. The Quran teaches us that the reality of life's impermanence should guide our actions and intentions, prioritizing spiritual gains over temporal ones.
"Everyone upon it [the earth] will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Ar-Rabb (The Lord), Owner of Majesty and Honor." (Quran 55:26-27)
This teaching encourages Muslims to focus on cultivating faith and performing good deeds, which will bear fruit in the eternal life, rather than being overly attached to the fleeting material world.
Al-Warith (The Heir): The Legacy of Faith
Leaving a spiritual legacy is a powerful concept in Islam, reflecting the belief in Allah (The Almighty) as Al-Warith (The Heir). This legacy goes beyond material inheritance, focusing instead on enduring acts of faith and charity. One of the most impactful ways to establish such a legacy is through Sadaqah Jariyah, ongoing charity that continues to benefit others and accrue blessings for the giver even after their death. This could be through building a mosque, supporting education, or providing clean water.
"When a human being dies, all their deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing charity, knowledge from which others benefit, and a righteous child who prays for them." (Hadith, Muslim)
These legacies allow Muslims to contribute to their communities in ways that resonate throughout time, symbolizing a lasting bond with Allah (The Almighty), who is the ultimate Inheritor of all things.
Al-Warith (The Heir): Stewardship and Accountability
Recognizing Allah (The Almighty) as Al-Warith (The Heir) fosters a sense of stewardship and accountability for how one uses their earthly resources. This stewardship extends beyond personal possessions to include time, knowledge, and the environment. Muslims are taught to see themselves as caretakers of the Earth, which Allah (The Almighty) has entrusted to humanity for a limited time.
"And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees [of rank] to test you through what He has given you." (Al-An'am 6:165)
(وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَائِفَ الْأَرْضِ وَرَفَعَ بَعْضَكُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِّيَبْلُوَكُمْ فِي مَا آتَاكُمْ ۗ)
Frequently Asked Questions About Al-Warith (The Heir)
Q: What is the meaning of the Name Al-Warith (The Heir)?
A: Al-Warith (The Heir) means The Inheritor of All, or The Successor. It signifies that Allah (The Almighty) is the Everlasting One who remains after all creation perishes. Everything we "own" in this life is merely borrowed, and ultimate ownership of the heavens, the earth, and everything within them returns to Him alone.
Q: How does belief in Al-Warith (The Heir) affect our view of wealth and possessions?
A: It shifts our perspective from "ownership" to "stewardship." Recognizing that Allah (The Almighty) is the true Inheritor prevents arrogance and greed. It encourages believers to view wealth, time, and knowledge as temporary trusts to be used ethically and generously for the pleasure of Allah (The Almighty).
Q: What is the best way to prepare for the return to Al-Warith (The Heir)?
A: The best preparation is establishing *Sadaqah Jariyah* (ongoing charity). Since we cannot take our material wealth with us, investing in continuous good deeds - such as building a well, spreading beneficial knowledge, or raising a righteous child - ensures that our spiritual legacy continues to benefit us long after we return to Him.