Chapter on Rare Cases of Bequests

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub Al-Kulayni, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى be pleased with him, narrated from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Ubayd, who said: "I wrote to Imam Ali ibn Muhammad Al-Hadi عليه السلام asking about a man who allocated something from his wealth for you - may Allah سبحانه وتعالى make me your sacrifice - but later found himself in need of it. Should he take it back for himself or still send it to you?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "He has the choice in this matter as long as he has not handed it over. And if it were to reach us, we would consider supporting him with it since he is now in need." He (Muhammad ibn Isa) further wrote to Imam عليه السلام, asking about a man who made a will, designating something specific from his wealth for you - may Allah سبحانه وتعالى make me your sacrifice - and also bequeathed portions to his relatives from his father's and mother's side. Then he altered the will, depriving those he had initially granted and granting to those he had initially deprived. Is this permissible for him? Imam عليه السلام wrote in response: "He has full discretion in all of this until death approaches him."