Islamic Inheritance Shares for Wife, Daughter, Father, Mother and Full Brother
In this case study, five key sharers, namely a wife, a daughter, a father, a mother, and a full brother, are involved. The wife, daughter, and mother are entitled to prescribed or fixed shares, while the father receives a residual share and full brother gets nothing in the presence of father. 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 left offspring (children or descendants), so, the wife would receive one-eighth (1/8) of the total estate.
Wife’s Share = 12.5% of the estate
Daughter’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law
In Islamic inheritance law, the share of a daughter is determined by several factors, including the presence or absence of sons and the number of daughters. The rules for the daughter’s share are based on Islamic principles which are as follows:
Daughter’s Share when there is Only One Daughter and No Sons
When the deceased person has only one daughter and no surviving sons, the daughter is entitled to receive half (1/2) of the estate. This is based on the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11].
Daughters’ Share when there are Multiple Daughters and No Sons
When the deceased person has multiple daughters but no surviving sons, the daughters collectively inherit two-thirds (2/3) of the estate which will be divided equally among all daughters. This is also based on the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11].
Daughters’ Share When There Are Sons
When there are surviving sons, daughters would be residual sharers and not the prescribed sharers. In this case, daughters receive half (1/2) of what sons receive. In other words, daughters get half the share of their brothers. This is based on the principle of the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11].
For example, if there is one daughter and one son, the daughter would receive one-third (1/3) of the inheritance, while the son would receive double, which is two-thirds (2/3) of the inheritance.
Concluded Share of the daughter:
In this scenario, the deceased left only one daughter, so, she is entitled to receive a prescribed share of half (1/2) of the total estate.
Daughter’s Share = 50% of the estate
Mother’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law
In Islamic inheritance law, the share of a mother is outlined in the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11]. According to this verse, the mother receives a specific portion of the deceased’s estate, provided that the deceased has offspring or not. The allocation of a mother’s share depends on various factors, including the presence of other heirs, such as children and siblings. Here are the key rules regarding a mother’s share in Islamic inheritance:
Mother’s share when deceased does not have offspring and multiple siblings:
- The deceased does not have any offspring, AND
- The deceased does not have multiple siblings (full, paternal, maternal)
In cases where the deceased has no children or descendants and does not have multiple siblings, the mother’s share is one-third (1/3) of the total estate, equivalent to 33.33% of the assets. This allocation prioritizes the financial well-being of the mother in the absence of offspring or multiple siblings.
Mother’s share when deceased has offspring or multiple siblings:
- The deceased has offspring, OR
- The deceased has multiple siblings (full, paternal, maternal)
When the deceased has offspring or multiple siblings, the mother’s share is adjusted to one-sixth (1/6), approximately 16.67% of the estate. This adjustment accommodates the presence of other heirs, ensuring fairness and equity in asset distribution.
These rules ensure that the mother’s share is determined based on specific family circumstances, by Islamic inheritance laws and the guidance provided in the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11].
Concluded Share of the Mother:
In this scenario, the deceased left offspring (children or descendants) or multiple siblings, so, the mother would receive one-sixth (1/6) of the total estate.
Mother’s Share = 16.67% 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.
Father’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law
In Islamic inheritance law, the share of a father is outlined in the Quranic verse [Surah AnNisa 4:11]. According to this verse, the father receives a specific portion of the deceased’s estate, provided that the deceased has offspring or not. The details of the father’s share are as follows:
The father is entitled to receive a share of the deceased’s estate if the deceased has offspring, which includes children, grandchildren, or even more distant descendants. This provision ensures that the father’s inheritance is applicable when there are descendants from the deceased.
Father’s fixed share when the deceased has offspring
The father’s share is fixed at one-sixth (1/6) of the total estate when the deceased has offspring. This means that the father is entitled to a portion of the inheritance that amounts to one-sixth of the entire estate’s value.
Father as residual sharer when the deceased has no offspring
The father is entitled to receive a residual share of the deceased’s estate if the deceased has no offspring, which includes children, grandchildren, or even more distant descendants.
Islamic inheritance laws serve as a means to ensure a fair and just distribution of assets among heirs, guaranteeing that each individual’s rights are respected and protected by the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and the Quran.
Calculation of Father’s Share as a Residual Sharer
Father’s Share = Total Estate – Prescribed Sharers ( Wife + Daughter + Mother )
Father’s Share = Total Estate – Wife’s Share – Daughter’s Share – Mother’s Share
Father’s Share = 100% – 12.5% – 50% – 16.67%
Father’s Share = 20.83% of the estate
In this situation, the Father’s share is 20.83% of the estate, which is equivalent to 5/24. This calculation is derived from the expression (1-1/8-1/2-1/6).
Full Brother’s Share in Islamic Inheritance
Full brother’s share as a residual sharer in Islamic inheritance depends on several factors, primarily the presence of other heirs, including parents, spouses, and siblings. The key rules for calculating the full brother’s share as a residual sharer are as follows:
Full brother’s Share = Total Estate – Prescribed Sharers
Concluded Share of Full Brother:
In this scenario, the full brother gets nothing because the father of the deceased blocks the full brother.
Calculation steps performed in this case study:
- Father blocks Full Brother from receiving any share. (Rule 13)
- Wife gets the prescribed share of 1/8 (Rule 2b).
- Daughter gets the prescribed share of 1/2 (Rule 3a).
- Mother gets the prescribed share of 1/6 (Rule 6b).
- Distribute the remaining shares according to relative priority (Rule 14)
- Father is the only heir remaining receiving share of 5/24 (Rule 14).
Shares by Category:
| Relative Category | Share Fraction | Share Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Wife | 3/24 = 1/8 | 12.5% |
| Daughter | 12/24 = 1/2 | 50% |
| Mother | 4/24 = 1/6 | 16.67% |
| Father | 5/24 | 20.83% |
| Full Brother | 0/24 | 0% |
| Total | 24/24 | 100% |
