Islamic Inheritance Shares for Wife, Daughter, Granddaughter, Mother and Full Brother

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

Granddaughter’s Share in Islamic Inheritance Law

In Islamic inheritance law, the share of a granddaughter (from a son only) is determined by several factors, including the presence or absence of sons and daughters, as well as the number of grandsons and granddaughters from a son. The granddaughter’s share is calculated based on the specific circumstances of the deceased. Here are the different scenarios and the corresponding shares:

The granddaughter will receive 1/2 if all the following conditions are met

1. The deceased has only 1 granddaughter from a son, AND
2. The deceased does not have a son, AND
3. The deceased does not have a daughter, AND
4. The deceased does not have a grandson from a son

In this case, the deceased has only one granddaughter from a son and no sons & daughters, and no grandsons from a son, the granddaughter is entitled to receive half (1/2) of the total estate. This means the granddaughter’s share is 50% of the estate.

Granddaughters will receive 2/3 if all the following conditions are met

1. The deceased has multiple granddaughters from a son, AND
2. The deceased does not have a son, AND
3. The deceased does not have a daughter, AND
4. The deceased does not have a grandson from a son

If the deceased has multiple granddaughters from a son and no sons & daughters, and no grandsons from a son then in this case, granddaughters are entitled to receive two-thirds (2/3) of the total estate. This means the granddaughter’s share is 66.67% of the estate which will be divided equally among all granddaughters.

Granddaughters will receive 1/6 if all the following conditions are met

1. The deceased has one or multiple granddaughters from a son, AND
2. The deceased has just one daughter, AND
3. The deceased does not have a son, AND
4. The deceased does not have a grandson from a son

If the deceased has just one daughter, no sons, and no grandsons from a son, in this case, granddaughters (from the son only) are entitled to receive one-sixth (1/6) of the total estate. This means the granddaughter’s share is approximately 16.67% of the estate which will be divided equally among all granddaughters.

Granddaughters will receive Residual Shares if all the following conditions are met

1. The deceased has granddaughters & grandsons from a son, AND
2. The deceased does not have a daughter, AND
3. The deceased does not have a son

When there are surviving grandsons, the granddaughter would be the residual sharer and not the prescribed sharer. In this case, the granddaughter would get half (1/2) of what the grandson receives. In other words, granddaughters 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 granddaughter and one grandson, the granddaughter would receive one-third (1/3) of the inheritance, while the grandson would receive double, which is two-thirds (2/3) of the inheritance.

Concluded Share of the Granddaughters:

In this scenario, the deceased left only one daughter, so, granddaughters are eligible for a prescribed share of one-sixth (1/6) of the total estate.
Granddaughters’ Share = 16.667% of the estate

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.