Complete Guide to Islamic Inheritance (Faraid)

Introduction

Inheritance in Islam, called Faraid (الفرائض) or Ilm al-Mawârith (علم المواريث), is an Islamic legal science that defines the rules for distributing the deceased's property among legitimate heirs.

This science occupies a fundamental place in Islamic law because it is directly derived from the Quran, with detailed verses specifying each heir's share. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

"Learn the rules of inheritance and teach them to people, for it is half of knowledge, and it will be forgotten. It is the first science that will be taken away from my Ummah."
— Hadith reported by Ibn Majah

Legal sources

The rules of Islamic inheritance are based on four main sources:

1. The Quran

The main verses are found in Surah An-Nisa (The Women), particularly verses 11, 12, and 176:

"Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of what is left. And if there is only one, for her is half..."
— Quran 4:11

2. The Sunnah

The hadiths of the Prophet (ﷺ) clarify and complete the Quranic rules, particularly regarding the priority order of heirs and special cases.

3. Consensus (Ijma)

Muslim scholars have established consensus on many inheritance rules, making it a highly codified science.

4. Analogical reasoning (Qiyas)

For cases not explicitly mentioned in the texts, jurists use analogical reasoning based on general principles.

Conditions for distribution

For an inheritance to be distributed according to Islamic rules, three conditions must be met:

1. Confirmed death of the deceased

Death must be certain, either by direct observation or by judicial decision (for missing persons after a determined period).

2. Heirs alive at the time of death

Heirs must be alive at the time of the deceased's death. A conceived but unborn child can inherit if born alive.

3. Absence of impediment

Three causes prevent inheritance: murder of the deceased, difference in religion, and slavery (historically).

Distribution steps

Before distributing inheritance to heirs, several deductions must be made in a precise order:

1
Funeral expenses
Burial expenses according to the Sunnah (neither excess nor negligence).
2
Deceased's debts
All debts must be repaid before any distribution.
3
Will (Wasiya)
Maximum one-third of the estate, only for non-heirs.Learn more →
4
Distribution to heirs
The remainder is shared among heirs according to their shares fixed by Sharia.

Categories of heirs

Heirs are classified into several categories according to the nature of their share:

1. Fixed share heirs (Ashab al-Furud)

These heirs have a share determined by the Quran. The fixed shares are: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, and 1/6.

Heir	Share	Condition
Husband	1/4 or 1/2	1/4 with children, 1/2 without children
Wife	1/8 or 1/4	1/8 with children, 1/4 without children
Single daughter	1/2	Alone without son
Daughters (2+)	2/3	Together without son
Father	1/6	With descendants
Mother	1/6 or 1/3	1/6 with descendants, 1/3 without

See the complete shares table →

2. Residuary heirs (Asaba)

Asaba inherit the remainder of the estate after distribution of fixed shares. If nothing remains, they don't inherit. If there are no fixed share heirs, they inherit everything.

The priority order of Asaba is:

Sons (and daughters with them)
Grandsons through sons
The father
The paternal grandfather
Full brothers
Paternal half-brothers
Nephews (brothers' sons)
Paternal uncles
Paternal cousins

Conclusion

Islamic inheritance is a complete and balanced system that ensures fair distribution of property among family members. Although the rules may seem complex at first, they follow clear logic based on family ties and responsibilities.

To easily calculate inheritance shares in your situation, use our free calculator that automatically applies all these rules.