Islamic Inheritance Shares for Wife, Paternal Brother and Paternal Sister
In this case study, three key sharers, namely a wife, a paternal brother, and a paternal sister, are involved. The wife is entitled to prescribed or fixed shares, while the paternal brother and paternal sister receives a residual share. We explore the various categories of sharers and examine the application of Islamic Inheritance and Quranic laws in the estate distribution process between them.
Prescribed sharers (Al Faraid)
Understanding Prescribed Sharers in Islamic Inheritance
Prescribed sharers in Islamic inheritance are individuals who are designated by Islamic law to receive fixed shares of the deceased’s estate. These shares are determined based on specific relationships and are aimed at ensuring equitable distribution of assets among heirs. Explore the rules and principles governing prescribed sharers in Islamic inheritance.
The Role of Prescribed Sharers in Islamic Inheritance
Prescribed sharers play a crucial role in the inheritance distribution system outlined in the Quran. Learn about the hierarchy of prescribed sharers, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and more. Discover how these individuals are entitled to inherit specific portions of the estate and the significance of this system in Islamic law.
Wife’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law
The wife holds a distinct position as a prescribed sharer in Islamic inheritance. According to the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:12], the share designated for the wife depends on whether the deceased has offspring. Explore the wisdom behind these provisions, which aim to protect the financial interests of the surviving wife. Here are the key scenarios:
Wife’s Share when the Deceased Husband has Offspring
If the deceased husband leaves behind offspring ( children or descendants ), the wife is entitled to one-eighth (1/8) of the estate. This share is set, regardless of the size of the estate. The principle behind this distribution is to ensure the wife’s financial security while also providing for the children.
Wife’s Share when the Deceased Husband has No Offspring
In cases where the deceased husband leaves behind offspring ( children or descendants ), the wife’s share increases to one-fourth (1/4) of the estate. This higher share recognizes her position as the primary heir in the absence of children.
Concluded Share of the Wife:
In this scenario, the deceased husband has no offspring (children or descendants), so, the wife would receive one-fourth (1/4) of the total estate.
Wife’s Share = 25% of the estate
Residual Sharers
In Islamic inheritance law, the concept of residual sharers plays a crucial role in ensuring the equitable distribution of an estate among heirs. Residual sharers are those individuals who inherit from what remains of the deceased’s estate after the primary sharers have received their designated shares.
Residual sharers are typically close relatives, such as male offspring, male ancestors, and male siblings, who become entitled to inherit after the primary sharers, like spouses, children, and parents, have received their allotted portions. Their role is vital in ensuring that the remaining assets are distributed fairly and following Islamic principles. The order of residual sharers is defined under Rule #13 & Rule #14.
Paternal Sister’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law
In Islamic inheritance law, the share of a paternal sister is determined by several factors, including the number of paternal sisters, the presence or absence of offspring, male paternal ancestors, full brothers, full sisters and paternal brothers of the deceased. The rules for the paternal sister’s share are as follows:
The Paternal Sister will receive 1/2 if all the following conditions are met
- There’s only one paternal sister, AND
- There are no offspring (children or descendants), AND
- There are no male paternal ancestors, AND
- There are no full brothers and full sisters, AND
- There are no paternal brothers.
If there’s only one paternal sister and the conditions are met (no offspring, no male paternal ancestors, no full brothers, no full sisters, no paternal brothers), she inherits half (1/2) of the estate. This acknowledges her rights as the sole heir under these circumstances.
Paternal Sisters will receive 2/3 if all the following conditions are met
- There are multiple paternal sisters, AND
- There are no offspring (children or descendants), AND
- There are no male paternal ancestors, AND
- There are no full brothers and full sisters, AND
- There are no paternal brothers.
When multiple paternal sisters meet the specified conditions (no offspring, no male paternal ancestors, no full brothers, no full sisters, no paternal brothers), they get two-thirds (2/3) of the estate. This ensures that the collective rights of paternal sisters are protected when there are no offspring, male paternal ancestors, full brothers, full sisters or paternal brothers.
Paternal Sisters will receive 1/6 if all the following conditions are met
- There is only one paternal sister, AND
- There are no offspring (children or descendants), AND
- There are no male paternal ancestors, AND
- There are no full brothers and full sisters, AND
- There are no paternal brothers.
When there is only one full sister and specified conditions met (no offspring, no male paternal ancestors, no full brothers, no full sisters, no paternal brothers), they get one-sixth (1/6) of the estate. This ensures that the collective rights of paternal sisters are protected when there are no offspring, male paternal ancestors, full brothers, or paternal brothers.
Paternal Sisters will receive Residual Shares if all the following conditions are met
- There are both paternal brother and paternal sister, AND
- There are no offspring (children or descendants), AND
- There are no male paternal ancestors, AND
- There are no full brothers and full sisters
When there are living paternal brothers, paternal sisters would be the residual sharer and not the prescribed sharer. In this case, a paternal sister would get half (1/2) of what a paternal brother receives. In other words, the paternal sister gets half the share of her brother. This is based on the principle of the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11].
These rules ensure that the paternal sister’s share is determined based on the specific circumstances of the deceased, preserving the paternal sister’s rights in accordance with Islamic inheritance laws, and the guidance provided in the Quran.
Paternal Brother’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law
In Islamic inheritance law, the paternal brother holds a significant position as a residual sharer. Paternal brother is eligible to receive a residual share in the absence of offspring ( children and descendants ) and father.
This means that when the estate of a deceased person is distributed among the heirs, the paternal brother is entitled to inherit from what remains after the shares of other primary sharers have been allocated.
The share of paternal brother would be as follows:
Paternal Brother’s Share = Total Estate – The shares of prescribed or fixed sharers
Calculation of shares for paternal brother and paternal sister
Estate for Residual Sharers = Total Estate – Share of Prescribed Sharers
Estate for Residual Sharers = Total Estate – Wife’s Share
Estate for Residual Sharers = 100% – 25%
Estate for Residual Sharers = 75%
Let us distribute the remaining estate of 75% among 1 paternal brother and 1 paternal sister.
Given that a paternal brother receives twice the share of a paternal sister, the distribution ratio is 2:1 for paternal brother and paternal sister, respectively.
Total Parts: 2 (for paternal brother) + 1 (for paternal sister) = 3
Paternal Brother Share = 75% * 2/3 = 50%
Paternal Sister Share = 75% * 1/3 = 25%
Calculation steps performed in this case study:
- Wife gets the prescribed share of 1/4 (Rule 2a).
- Distribute the remaining shares according to relative priority (Rule 14)
- Joint Ta’seeb of Paternal Brother and Paternal Sister (Rule 44).
- Paternal Brother and Paternal Sister share in the ratio of 2:1 (Rule 15)
- Paternal Brother gets the share of 1/2 and Paternal Sister gets the share of 1/4. (Rule 15, 44)
Shares by Category:
| Relative Category | Share Fraction | Share Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Wife | 1/4 | 25% |
| Paternal Sister | 1/4 | 25% |
| Paternal Brother | 2/4 = 1/2 | 50% |
| Total | 4/4 | 100% |
