Islamic Inheritance Calculator
Calculate Islamic inheritance shares according to Sharia law (Faraid). Determine each heir's share including spouse, children, parents, and siblings with our free calculator.
Estate Value
Understanding Islamic Inheritance (Ilm al-Faraid)
Islamic inheritance law, known as Ilm al-Faraid (the science of obligatory shares), is one of the most important and detailed branches of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Learn the laws of inheritance and teach them to the people, for it is half of knowledge" (Sunan Ibn Majah). Unlike many other areas of Islamic law where scholars have significant room for interpretation, the inheritance shares are largely fixed by explicit Quranic text, making Faraid one of the most precisely defined areas of Shariah. The word "Faraid" comes from the Arabic root "f-r-d" meaning obligation or fixed portion, reflecting the fact that these shares are divinely mandated and cannot be altered by human will. The science of Faraid ensures justice in wealth distribution after death, preventing the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and ensuring that all close family members receive their rightful share.
Quranic Basis for Inheritance Rules
The primary source of Islamic inheritance law is the Quran, particularly Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), verses 11, 12, and 176. These verses are among the most detailed legislative passages in the entire Quran. Verse 4:11 states: "Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male is equal to that of two females. If there are only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the estate. If there is only one daughter, her share is half. For parents, a sixth share of the estate to each, if the deceased left children. If no children and the parents are the only heirs, the mother gets a third." Verse 4:12 details the shares of spouses: "You get half of what your wives leave if they have no children; otherwise, you get a fourth. They get a fourth of what you leave if you have no children; otherwise, they get an eighth." Verse 4:176 (Kalalah) addresses inheritance when the deceased has no parents or children. These verses conclude with: "This is an ordinance from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing." The precision of these verses demonstrates the importance Allah places on fair wealth distribution.
Categories of Heirs in Islamic Law
Islamic inheritance law classifies heirs into three main categories: (1) Dhawil Furud (Fixed Share Heirs): These are heirs whose shares are explicitly stated in the Quran. They include the husband, wife, father, mother, daughter, son's daughter, full sister, paternal half-sister, maternal half-brother/sister, and grandmother. Their shares are predetermined fractions (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, or 1/6) that vary depending on the presence of other heirs. (2) Asabat (Residuaries): These are heirs who receive the remaining estate after the fixed shares have been distributed. The son is the primary residuary heir. If there are no sons, the father becomes a residuary. Other male relatives in the paternal line (brothers, paternal uncles, etc.) can also be residuaries. Daughters become residuaries when they inherit alongside sons (receiving half the son's share). (3) Dhawil Arham (Distant Relatives): These are blood relatives who are neither fixed-share heirs nor residuaries, such as maternal uncles, maternal aunts, and daughters of brothers. The Hanafi school allows them to inherit if there are no Dhawil Furud or Asaba, while other schools direct such estates to the Islamic treasury (Bayt al-Mal).
Fixed Shares (Furud) in Detail
The Quran specifies six fixed shares (Furud): (1) One-half (1/2): Given to the husband when there are no children, one daughter when there are no sons, or one full/paternal sister when there are no brothers. (2) One-quarter (1/4): Given to the husband when there are children, or to the wife when there are no children. (3) One-eighth (1/8): Given to the wife (or wives collectively) when there are children. (4) Two-thirds (2/3): Given to two or more daughters when there are no sons, or two or more full/paternal sisters when there are no brothers. (5) One-third (1/3): Given to the mother when there are no children and fewer than two siblings, or to two or more maternal siblings collectively. (6) One-sixth (1/6): Given to each parent when there are children, the mother when there are two or more siblings, one maternal sibling, the grandmother, or the son's daughter alongside one daughter. Understanding these shares is essential for accurate inheritance calculation. Each share changes depending on the combination of surviving heirs, which is why Islamic inheritance can become quite complex in certain family configurations.
Special Cases in Islamic Inheritance
Several special cases arise in Islamic inheritance that require advanced knowledge: (1) Awl (Proportional Reduction): This occurs when the total fixed shares exceed the entire estate. For example, if a woman dies leaving a husband (1/2), two full sisters (2/3), and a mother (1/6), the shares add up to more than 1. In this case, all shares are proportionally reduced to fit within the estate. This principle was first applied by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab. (2) Radd (Redistribution): This is the opposite of Awl — when the fixed shares do not exhaust the entire estate and there are no residuary heirs, the surplus is redistributed proportionally among the fixed-share heirs (excluding the spouse according to the majority view). (3) Mushtaraka (Shared Inheritance): A rare case where full siblings share equally with maternal siblings. This occurs when the deceased leaves a husband, mother or grandmother, maternal siblings, and full siblings, with no residue left for the full siblings after fixed shares. Caliph Umar ruled that full siblings should share with maternal siblings in the one-third share. (4) The Grandfather-Sibling Problem: When a grandfather inherits alongside siblings, different schools have different rules. Abu Bakr gave the grandfather the same status as the father (blocking siblings), while Umar, Uthman, and Ali treated the grandfather differently.
The One-Third Rule (Wasiyyah)
In Islam, a person may bequeath up to one-third of their estate through a will (Wasiyyah) to non-heirs. This rule comes from the famous hadith of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, who asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) if he could give away two-thirds of his wealth in charity since he had only one daughter. The Prophet replied: "One-third, and one-third is much" (Sahih al-Bukhari). The Wasiyyah cannot be made in favor of any legal heir who already receives a fixed share, as the Prophet said: "There is no bequest for an heir" (Sunan Abu Dawud). The purpose of the Wasiyyah is to allow Muslims to provide for people or causes that are not covered by the inheritance system — such as non-Muslim relatives, adopted children, charitable organizations, or close friends. If a bequest exceeds one-third or is made to an heir, it requires the consent of the other heirs to be valid. The Wasiyyah is executed after funeral expenses and debts have been paid, but before the inheritance shares are distributed.
Order of Operations Before Distribution
Before the inheritance shares are calculated and distributed, there is a specific order of financial obligations that must be fulfilled from the estate: (1) Funeral expenses: The cost of washing, shrouding, and burying the deceased is paid first. Islamic law requires a modest burial, and excessive spending is discouraged. (2) Debts: All outstanding debts of the deceased must be settled, including loans, mortgages, unpaid Zakat, unfulfilled vows, and any financial obligations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The soul of the believer is held hostage by his debt until it is paid off" (Sunan at-Tirmidhi). (3) Wasiyyah (bequests): Up to one-third of the remaining estate can be distributed according to the deceased's will to non-heirs. (4) Inheritance distribution: The remaining estate is then divided among the heirs according to the Quranic shares. This order is derived from the Quranic verse: "After any bequest he may have made or any debt" (Quran 4:11). It ensures that the deceased's obligations are fulfilled before the heirs receive their shares.
Common Questions About Islamic Inheritance
Several topics frequently arise regarding Islamic inheritance. Regarding the rights of daughters: daughters do inherit in Islam. A sole daughter receives half the estate, and two or more daughters together receive two-thirds. When daughters inherit alongside sons, each son receives double the daughter's share. This ratio reflects the Islamic system where men bear the financial responsibility for the family (providing for wife, children, and parents), while women's inheritance is entirely their own. Regarding orphan grandchildren: if a son dies before his father, the son's children may not automatically inherit from the grandfather in the basic Faraid system. To address this, many Muslim-majority countries have enacted mandatory bequest laws (Wasiyyah Wajibah) ensuring grandchildren receive a share equivalent to what their parent would have received, up to one-third of the estate. Regarding adopted children: adopted children do not inherit under Islamic inheritance law, as adoption (in the sense of changing lineage) is not recognized in Islam (Quran 33:4-5). However, the adoptive parent can provide for them through Wasiyyah (up to one-third) or gifts during their lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions about Islamic Inheritance
Related Islamic Tools
Join 50,000+ Muslims
Download for free and never miss a prayer again