❖ Question:
A case of inheritance involves a total estate of Rs. 1,600,000, and the deceased has the following heirs:
- Mother
- Wife
- One Son
- Two Daughters
What is the Shari‘ah-compliant solution for distributing this inheritance?
❖ Answer by:
Al-ʿĀlim Ḥabīb al-Raḥmān Qāsim (ḥafiẓahullāh)
❖ Total Estate:
Rs. 1,600,000
❖ Distribution According to Sharīʿah:
① Mother:
- Share: 1/6 (because the deceased has children)
- Amount: Rs. 266,666
② Wife:
- Share: 1/8 (due to the presence of children)
- Amount: Rs. 200,000
❖ Remaining Amount After Fixed Shares:
Rs. 1,600,000 – 266,666 – 200,000 = Rs. 1,133,334
This remaining amount is to be distributed among the children using the rule:
“لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ“
“For the male is the share of two females.”
❖ Children’s Distribution:
- 1 Son = 2 Shares
- 2 Daughters = 1 Share each = 2 Shares
- Total Shares = 4
③ Son:
- Share: 2/4 of the remaining
- Amount: Rs. 566,667
④ Each Daughter:
- Share: 1/4 of the remaining
- Amount: Rs. 283,333.5
❖ Summary of Distribution:
| Heir | Share | Amount (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mother | 1/6 | 266,666 |
| Wife | 1/8 | 200,000 |
| Son | 2 parts | 566,667 |
| Daughter 1 | 1 part | 283,333.5 |
| Daughter 2 | 1 part | 283,333.5 |
✔ Conclusion:
This division ensures that the inheritance is distributed fairly and lawfully according to Islamic teachings, fulfilling the rights of all legal heirs.
