In truth, the wisdom of this perspicuous and most mighty
ordinance to “draw up a will”] is that no one should draw breath without a
will. Observe how, in the absence of a will, the inheritance in its entirety is
divided up, distributed and dispersed contrary to the wishes of the deceased;
what difficulties and disagreements are thus engendered! The will, however, is
the settler of every dispute, and the cause of ease for all, for in it the
testator disposeth of his property in whatsoever manner he desireth. How
agreeable it is for the estate in its entirety to be disposed of in accordance
with the testator's will and pleasure! Observe ye how many people during their
lifetime are fearful about what will happen when they pass away. Now, with this
divine commandment -- the obligation and religious duty of drawing up a will
before one's passing -- all these difficulties are resolved.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, compilation ‘Extracts from Four Tablets by ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Concerning the Question of Inheritance’, prepared by the Research Department of
the Universal House of Justice)
