Inheritance & wills in Senegal

Code de la Famille 1972 (Arts. 571-573) allows Muslim citizens to opt for Islamic Maliki faraid via a witnessed declaration; without such declaration, civil intestacy (equal shares) applies. The declaration can be included in the will itself.

Wasiyyah ≤ 1/3 in writing before a notaire; the declaration of choice of Islamic personal-status regime (option de législation) must be explicit and dated. Handwritten wills accepted with 2 witnesses.

Notaire (Chambre nationale des notaires du Sénégal). Tribunal d’instance issues the certificat d’hérédité or acte de notoriété after death.

2 adult Muslim witnesses; civil registration of marriage (état civil) required for spouse to inherit.

Collecting authority

Fédération des Associations Islamiques + Tariqas (Tijaniyya, Mouridiyya)

Tax relief

Donations to associations d’utilité publique deductible under CGI art. 167

Maximum relief

0.50 % of turnover (companies) / 5 % of taxable income (individuals)

Notes

Voluntary; significant Zakat flows through Sufi tariqa networks (Touba for Mouridiyya, Tivaouane for Tijaniyya).

Civil forced-heirship (réserve) applies by DEFAULT UNLESS the testator opts for the Islamic regime by an explicit registered declaration under Art. 571 Code de la Famille.

Tribunal de Grande Instance issues acte de notoriété; the Cadastre (Direction des domaines) and banks follow.

Tijaniyyah and Mouridiyya tariqas (both Maliki) dominate; declare Maliki madhhab + Islamic regime option in the wasiyyah.

• Without the Art. 571 Islamic-regime declaration, civil intestacy overrides faraid — make the declaration explicit and dated.
• Wolof + Serer customary land tenure may complicate rural real-estate probate — obtain notarised heir list before transfer.

• Ministère de la Justice
• Chambre des notaires

• Is Islamic inheritance (faraid) legally recognised in Senegal?

  Code de la Famille 1972 (Arts. 571-573) allows Muslim citizens to opt for Islamic Maliki faraid via a witnessed declaration; without such declaration, civil intestacy (equal shares) applies. The declaration can be included in the will itself.

• What makes an Islamic will (Wasiyyah) legally valid in Senegal?

  Wasiyyah ≤ 1/3 in writing before a notaire; the declaration of choice of Islamic personal-status regime (option de législation) must be explicit and dated. Handwritten wills accepted with 2 witnesses.

• Where do I register my will in Senegal?

  Notaire (Chambre nationale des notaires du Sénégal). Tribunal d’instance issues the certificat d’hérédité or acte de notoriété after death.

• Does Senegal have forced-heirship rules that override an Islamic will?

  Civil forced-heirship (réserve) applies by DEFAULT UNLESS the testator opts for the Islamic regime by an explicit registered declaration under Art. 571 Code de la Famille.

• How does probate work in Senegal?

  Tribunal de Grande Instance issues acte de notoriété; the Cadastre (Direction des domaines) and banks follow.

• How many witnesses do I need for a will in Senegal?

  2 adult Muslim witnesses; civil registration of marriage (état civil) required for spouse to inherit.

• What are the most common Islamic-will pitfalls in Senegal?

  Without the Art. 571 Islamic-regime declaration, civil intestacy overrides faraid — make the declaration explicit and dated. Wolof + Serer customary land tenure may complicate rural real-estate probate — obtain notarised heir list before transfer.