Islamic inheritance: single person without children

The distribution of the estate of a person who died without spouse or children.

School of jurisprudence: This page presents rules according to Sunni fiqh, relying on the consensus of the four madhāhib (Hanafi, Maliki, Shāfi'i, Hanbali) when it exists.

Before any application: you must consult a qualified scholar of fiqh al-mawārīth (inheritance), a mufti or a notary specialised in Islamic law.

Quick summary

Father (if alive)Residue (Asaba)

Mother alone1/3

If no parents: siblingsAll

Calculate this case

Detailed explanation

When a person dies without spouse or children, the estate goes mainly to parents, then to siblings.

Scenario 1: Both parents alive

Mother: 1/3
Father: 2/3 (residue)

Scenario 2: Mother alone

Mother: 1/3
The rest goes to full siblings if any

Scenario 3: Father alone

Father: everything (as Asaba)

Scenario 4: Neither father nor mother

Full brothers: inherit as Asaba
Full sisters: 1/2 (one) or 2/3 (two or more)

Numerical example

A single person dies leaving €90,000 and both parents:

Calculation for €90,000

Mother (1/3)30 000 €

Father (residue 2/3)60 000 €

Frequently asked questions

Do siblings inherit if parents are alive?

If the father is alive, he excludes siblings.

What's the difference between full and paternal siblings?

Full siblings share both parents. Paternal siblings share only the father.