Inheritance Distribution: The Shar‘i Shares of Mother, Sisters, Brother, and Wives
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, Page 572
❖ Question
What do the esteemed scholars say regarding this matter:
A man named Hājan passed away, leaving behind as heirs: a mother, two sisters, one brother, and two wives. According to the Sharī‘ah of Muhammad ﷺ, how much share will each receive?
After this, a woman named Rānī passed away, to whom all the heirs had gifted their shares. Later, when Rānī passed away, she left behind three daughters and a husband as her heirs.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
It must always be kept in mind that from the wealth of the deceased:
① First, the expenses of the funeral and burial are deducted.
② Second, if the deceased had any debts, they must be repaid.
③ Third, if there is a will, it shall be executed up to one-third of the total estate.
④ After that, whatever remains—whether movable or immovable property—shall be distributed among the heirs.
✿ Distribution of Hājan’s Inheritance
Assuming the total estate is 1 rupee (0-1), the division is as follows:
◈ Mother: 2 ānā 8 paisā
◈ Two wives: 4 ānā
◈ Two sisters (jointly): 4 ānā 8 paisā
◈ One brother: 4 ānā 8 paisā
Note:
Since all heirs gifted their shares to Rānī, and she remained in possession of it for a considerable time, she became the full owner of the property.
✿ Distribution of Rānī’s Inheritance
Again, assuming the estate to be 1 rupee, the division is:
◈ Husband (Hājan Jaman): 4 ānā
◈ Three daughters (Ṣāliḥān, Qābil, and Kāmilah) jointly: 10 ānā 16 paisā
✿ Distribution According to the Decimal System
If the estate is assumed to be 100 rupees:
Inheritance of deceased Hājan:
◈ Mother: 1/6 = 16.666 rupees
◈ Two sisters (as ‘aṣabah): 29.17 rupees
◈ One brother (as ‘aṣabah): 29.17 rupees
◈ Two wives: 1/4 = 25 rupees
Inheritance of deceased Rānī:
◈ Husband: 1/4 = 25 rupees
◈ Three daughters: 2/3 = 75 rupees
ھذا ما عندی واللہ اعلم بالصواب
