A template and sample to write an Islamic Legacy Letter to complete your Islamic Will and Estate Plan
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How to Use the Legacy Letter Template
Reminders
This list of reminders is derived from Counsels of Religion by Imam Al-Haddad. These timeless virtues can be incorporated into your Legacy Letter, either individually or collectively, to provide meaningful guidance and inspiration for your loved ones.
Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness Repentance is a door to Allah’s infinite mercy. Allah commands, “And repent to Allah, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed” (Qur’an 24:31).
The Prophet ﷺ reassured us, “He who has repented from a sin is as if he had never sinned” (Ibn Majah). True repentance requires remorse for past sins, desisting from them, and resolving never to return.
If harm was done to another, forgiveness must be sought, and amends made. Never delay repentance, as Allah accepts it until the moment the soul reaches the throat at death (Bukhari, Muslim).
Constantly turn to Him, for repentance purifies the heart and draws you closer to His mercy.
Patience in Life’s Trials Patience is the foundation of faith and a key to success. Allah declares, “Indeed, Allah is with the patient” (Qur’an 2:153).
Trials and challenges are opportunities for growth and purification. The Prophet ﷺ said, “No fatigue, illness, sorrow, or even a thorn that pricks a believer befalls them except that Allah expiates some of their sins because of it” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Patience is needed in three areas: obedience to Allah, avoiding sin, and enduring hardships. Hold tightly to patience, and Allah will elevate your status and reward you without measure (Qur’an 39:10).
Gratitude for Allah’s Blessings Gratitude is the key to preserving and increasing Allah’s blessings. Allah promises, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]” (Qur’an 14:7).
Gratitude is expressed through both words and actions. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah is pleased with a servant who eats and thanks Him for it or drinks and thanks Him for it” (Muslim).
Recognize every blessing, big or small, as a gift from Allah, and use it in ways that please Him. Gratitude transforms even the mundane into worship and ensures that blessings are never taken for granted.
Maintain a balance between hope in Allah’s mercy and fear of His justice. Allah reminds us, “None despairs of the mercy of his Lord except those astray” (Qur’an 15:56), and “None feels secure from Allah’s plan except the losers” (Qur’an 7:99).
Always think well of Allah, especially when asking for forgiveness, as He says in a Hadith Qudsi, “I am as My servant thinks of Me” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Let this balance motivate you to seek His forgiveness and strive for His pleasure while remaining cautious of falling into disobedience.
Detachment from the World The world is temporary, and our focus should be on the Hereafter. Allah reminds us, “But you prefer the worldly life, while the Hereafter is better and more lasting” (Qur’an 87:16-17).
The Prophet ﷺ advised, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler passing through” (Bukhari).
Use worldly possessions as tools to fulfill your purpose but never let them distract you from what is eternal. Prioritize deeds that bring lasting rewards, and remember that the true home is with Allah.
Every action should be done purely for Allah’s sake. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will receive what they intended” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Whether in prayer, charity, or even daily tasks, align your intentions with the desire to please Allah. Sincerity ensures that deeds, no matter how small, are rewarded greatly.
Make every moment of your life an act of devotion by performing it with a pure heart.
Live with the constant awareness that Allah is watching. He says, “And He is with you wherever you are” (Qur’an 57:4).
The Prophet ﷺ described excellence as, “To worship Allah as though you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you” (Bukhari, Muslim).
This awareness, known as muraqaba, helps you guard against sins and stay steadfast in righteousness.
Reflection on Allah’s Signs Take time to reflect on Allah’s creation, His blessings, and the fleeting nature of this world. Allah says, “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and day are signs for those of understanding” (Qur’an 3:190).
Hasan al-Basri said, “Contemplation for an hour is better than standing in prayer for a night.” Such reflection deepens your faith, increases your gratitude, and redirects your focus to what truly matters.
Remembering Death and Preparing for It Death is a certainty, and remembering it helps us live with purpose. Allah reminds us, “Every soul shall taste death” (Qur’an 3:185). The Prophet ﷺ said, “Remember often the destroyer of pleasures (death)” (Tirmidhi, Nasai).
This remembrance is not meant to bring despair but to encourage preparation for the Hereafter. Prepare by repenting, performing good deeds, and focusing on acts that will benefit you after death.
Truthfulness in All Matters Truthfulness is a hallmark of faith and leads to righteousness. Allah commands, “O you who believe, fear Allah and be with the truthful” (Qur’an 9:119).
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Let your words, actions, and intentions be truthful, and seek Allah’s pleasure in all that you do.
Place your complete trust in Allah, knowing that He is the ultimate Provider and Protector. Allah says, “And rely upon Allah, and sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs” (Qur’an 33:3).
The Prophet ﷺ said, “If you rely on Allah as you should, He would provide for you just as He provides for the birds: they leave hungry in the morning and return full in the evening” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
Trusting Allah brings peace to the heart and ensures success in this life and the next.
Contentment with Allah’s Decrees Be content with what Allah has decreed for you, whether it brings ease or difficulty. Allah promises, “Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him” (Qur’an 98:8).
The Prophet ﷺ said, “When Allah loves a servant, He tests them. If they are content, they will have Allah’s contentment” (Tirmidhi).
Trust in His wisdom, knowing that everything He ordains carries goodness, even if it is not immediately apparent.
Writing a Longer Legacy Letter
The legacy letter template is designed to be simple, but personal. With just enough customization to make it your own. Feel free to modify, extend, and personalize as needed.
If you are looking for inspiration, I encourage you to read Dying and Living for Allah: The Last Will of Khurram Murad.
Khurram Murad (1932–1996) was a teacher and activist who dedicated his life to rekindling faith and guiding communities toward ethical living. This book is essentially his legacy letter that invites readers to embrace mortality patiently and cultivate gratitude, humility, and a sense of purpose. It was originally written in Urdu, but the translation carries a resonance that connects with readers across cultures and languages.
Within Dying and Living for Allah, you will find three central topics: the virtue of patient acceptance when facing the inevitable, the principles that nurture a righteous and fulfilling life, and a gentle reminder to trust in divine mercy while being accountable for one’s deeds. Murad’s heartfelt reflections emerged during his lengthy struggle with heart disease, yet they continue to speak universally to anyone seeking to leave a meaningful, faith-centered legacy.
The Islamic Legacy Letter Template mirrors Murad’s emphasis on spiritual sincerity and purposeful action. Whether you choose to write a concise note or a detailed personal record, following his example can help you create a lasting testament that intertwines your own truth with enduring values.
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Written by Farooq Maseehuddin
Farooq Maseehuddin is the founder of MuslimMoney.co, a Canadian platform dedicated to helping Muslims take control of their personal finances.
He teaches across a range of topics including budgeting, investing, financial planning, Islamic inheritance, money conversations in families, and how to teach kids about money.