Drafting Wills in Accordance with Islamic Shariah Law

As the country grows increasingly multicultural, lawyers need to be aware of the laws and customs of various religious and cultural groups. In its January/February 2011 issue, “Probate & Property,” the magazine of the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, has published, “Shariah-Compliant Wills: An Overview,” by attorney Omar Mohammedi.

 The article provides a detailed description of Islamic law on the topic. The Qu’ran offers extensive specifics on how one should distribute an estate. When disputes arise, the author urges using Islamic arbitration panels, a method  that allows U.S. courts to avoid making decisions on issues beyond  their ken and perhaps in violation of the First Amendment’s religion clauses.

(ljs)