Faraid Glossary

Correction method used when the sum of fixed shares exceeds 100% of the succession. All shares are reduced proportionally so that the total equals 100%.

Residuary heirs who receive what remains of the succession after distribution of fixed shares. Sons are the closest asaba, followed by brothers then paternal uncles.

Fixed-share heirs. These are heirs who receive a determined fraction of the succession according to the Quran: the spouse, parents, grandparents, and in some cases brothers and sisters.

Relatives through women who inherit neither as ashab al-furud nor as asaba. They may inherit in the absence of other heirs according to some schools.

The science of Islamic succession law that governs the distribution of inheritances according to the rules of the Quran and Sunnah. The term comes from the word "fard" (obligation) because these rules are obligatory for Muslims.

Fixed share of inheritance attributed to certain heirs according to the Quran. The six Quranic fractions are: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3 and 1/6.

Exclusion of an heir by another closer to the deceased. There are two types: total hajb (complete deprivation) and partial hajb (reduction of share).

A deceased who leaves neither ascendant (father) nor descendant (child). The kalala case has specific rules for brothers and sisters.

Heir excluded from the succession by another closer heir. The mahjub receives nothing from the inheritance.

Inheritance in general. It is the totality of assets transmitted by the deceased to their heirs after deduction of debts and the will.

The deceased, the one who leaves an inheritance. This is the deceased person whose succession is shared.

Filiation, kinship bond. The nasab determines succession rights: only relatives recognized by nasab can inherit.

Valid marriage in Islam. The marital bond (nikah) entitles spouses to inherit from each other.

Redistribution of surplus when fixed shares do not total 100% and there is no residuary heir. The surplus is redistributed proportionally to the heirs (except the spouse according to some schools).

The act of inheriting as an asaba (residuary heir). An heir can inherit by ta'sib alone or by ta'sib with another heir.

The succession, meaning all assets left by the deceased. The tariqa includes all assets (real estate, money, personal property) and liabilities (debts).

An heir. Person entitled to a share of the succession according to the rules of faraid.

Will/Testament. In Islamic law, the deceased may bequeath up to 1/3 of their succession to non-heirs. The wasiya is deducted before calculating inheritance shares.