Is it permissible for me to take a financial gift or some property from my non-Muslim parents which was recorded in their will? Is it possible for me to be the alternate trustee for my parents’ estate?

1- It is permissible for a Muslim to accept the gift of a non-Muslim. God Almighty has permitted benevolence and justice toward non-Muslims who do not fight Muslims. He says: “God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For God loves those who are just” (Quran 60: 8).

Abu Humaid al-Saa’di (may God be pleased with him) said: “We went on the conquest of Tabuk with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The king of ‘Aela gave him a white mule and a cloak as a gift” (recorded in the Sahih of Bukhari and the Sahih of Muslim).

2- There is no harm if you are appointed the alternate trustee for your parents’ estate since it is valid for a non-Muslim to appoint a Muslim as a guardian over his property. Imam al-Nawawi said: “It is not permissible for a Muslim to appoint a non-Muslim as a guardian over his property though the opposite is valid” (6/311). Al-Sheikh al-Khatib al-Shirbini said: “Scholars are in agreement that it is valid for a dhimmi (non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) to appoint a Muslim as a guardian over his property and it is permissible for a Muslim to testify against a dhimmi. It was established that it is permissible for a Muslim to act as a guardian over the property of a dhimmi as the imam may act as the guardian of a dhimmi female in the matter of her marriage” (Mughni Al-Muhtaj, 3/74).

And God Almighty knows best.