The booklet Al-Wassiyyat (The Will) was written by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in 1905 after Divine revelations of his impending demise.
- In this book the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explains about his succession and gives the glad tidings of the second manifestation of Divine grace in the form of Khilafat.
- The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also gives details of the blessed institution of Wasiyyat stressing the importance of making financial sacrifice for the cause of Islam.
- The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also described the establishment of a graveyard named as the Bahishti Maqbara (the Heavenly graveyard).
The Holy Quran
“Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their wealth (for what price?) for the Paradise they shall have…” (9:111)
“Never shall you attain quality righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love..” (3:93)
Importance of Wasiyyat for Lajna today
Wasiyyat is the making of a will in the favour of the Community, pledging 1/10 to 1/3 of one’s total assets to the Jama’at at the time of one’s death. A person who has pledged Wasiyyat is known as a Moosi and must also donate 1/10 to 1/3 of his earnings yearly for the cause of Islam.
Any Lajna who wishes to do Wasiyyat needs to read this book The Will to understand the concept and it is recommended that all Moosi (people who have done Wasiyyat should read this book once a year).
These funds are used for propagation of Islam by dissemination of Qur’anic knowledge, publishing religious books and meeting expenses of missionaries along with other matters that may help advancement of Islam. These funds are also be used to help such orphans, poor and needy people, and new converts as do not have sufficient means of livelihood.
Other conditions associated with this blessed scheme are those of piety and righteousness. To do Wasiyyat is a highly blessed act and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has prayed for people who do Wasiyyat.
“ I pray again: O my Mighty God make this piece of land fit for the graves of those of my Jama‘at who are pure of heart and who have in reality become solely for you, and in their works there is no adulteration of the worldly objectives. Āmīn, O Lord of the World.”
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V in a series of discourses has advised the Jama’at to increase the quality and quantity of their salat and worship of Allah, and that they should excel in their material sacrifices and more and more of us should participate in Al Wasiyyat. Hudhur (aba) said “The Promised Messiah(as) has shown us the most comprehensive way of acquiring goodness and moving in the direction of progress and a good ending. That way is the system of Al Wasiyyat. We must commit to it and participate in it as best as we can.
Wasiyyat in today’s material world
Our world is a truly material world and to save us from the evil of materialism, our beloved Hudhur (aba) says.
‘We should listen to the words of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In order to reform ourselves and thus ensure the future of our future generations, we should join the institution of Wasiyyat in large numbers’.
The love of material possession can be a source to take one away from Allah, to address this, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) says,
‘If on the other hand, the fears about our possessions still haunt us and prevent us from joining this blessed Divine scheme, then our faith stands on very weak grounds. When there is no guarantee on our possessions or our lives, we have to put our faith and trust in Allah above all other matters. May Allah enable us to understand our responsibilities and help us in fulfilling our obligations.Ameen’
“A Warner came to this world and the world did not accept him. But God will accept him and will establish his truth with powerful assaults.”