If the Beneficiary of a Will dies before the Death of the Testator or before Taking Possession

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin once issued a judgment, about the case of a man who made a will and the beneficiary who was absent, died before the testator, that the benefit belongs to the heir of the beneficiary.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If one makes a will, regardless of his absence or presence, if the beneficiary dies before the testator, the benefit belongs to the heir of the beneficiary unless the testator changes his will before his death.’”

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of a man who made a will that said I must give something to his uncle every year, but the uncle has died. He (the Imam) (a.s.), wrote, ‘You must give it to his heirs.’”

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of man in whose favor a will is made but he dies before taking possession and has not left any heirs. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must search for his heirs or master then give it to him.’ I then asked, ‘What happens if I cannot find any guardian for him?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Try to find out his guardian and if you cannot find, and Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, knows your effort, then give it in charity on his behalf.’”