Inheritance Case: Shares of Mother, Wife, Brother, and Sister
Source: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, p. 652
Question:
Muhammad Bilal passed away, leaving behind:
- his mother,
- his wife (married and consummated),
- one brother,
- one sister,
- and one half-sister (from the mother’s side).
How will the inheritance be divided according to the Shari‘ah of Muhammad ﷺ?
Preliminary Rules
Before dividing the estate:
- Funeral and burial expenses are to be covered.
- Any debts must be paid.
- Any valid will (within one-third of the estate) must be executed.
- The remainder is then distributed among the heirs.
Distribution of Inheritance
Estate of Muhammad Bilal = 1 Rupee (100 units)
- Mother: 2 annas 8 pies (fixed share)
- Wife: 4 annas (fixed share)
- Brother: 6 annas 2 pies (as residuary)
- Sister: 3 annas 1 pie (as residuary)
- Half-sister (maternal): Excluded
Clarification of Residue
After the fixed shares are distributed, 1 pie remains.
- This residue is divided according to 2:1 (male:female).
- Brother receives two parts.
- Sister receives one part.
✅ Final Rule:
The mother and wife take their fixed shares, while the brother and sister share the remainder as residuaries (2:1 ratio). The maternal half-sister is excluded.
والله أعلم بالصواب
