✦ Injustice in Inheritance and the Importance of Islamic Command ✦
❖ Social Attitude Toward Worship
In our society:
◈ One who does not pray is labeled as irreligious.
◈ One who does not fast is viewed with contempt.
◈ A wealthy person who does not pay Zakat is considered disobedient to Allah.
◈ One who neglects Hajj is seen as an incomplete Muslim.
❖ Injustice in Inheritance
However, if someone deprives his sisters of their rightful share of inheritance after the father’s death and seizes the entire estate, society still considers him a pious and devout Muslim.
This double standard is in stark contradiction to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
❖ The Obligation and Importance of Inheritance in Islam
While the commands of prayer, fasting, Zakat, and Hajj are principally mentioned in the Qur’an and their details are explained through Hadith, the laws of inheritance are among the few commands whose specifics are directly laid out in the Qur’an.
❖ Clear Command of Distribution in the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
“For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much—a share determined.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 7)
This verse makes it clear that inheritance must be distributed—regardless of the amount—and both men and women have fixed shares.
❖ Severe Warning Against Consuming Orphans’ Wealth
Allah ﷻ warns:
“Indeed, those who unjustly consume the wealth of orphans are only consuming fire into their bellies. And they will be burned in a blazing fire.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 10)
This warning extends to all forms of unjust seizure of inheritance, especially from vulnerable heirs like women and orphans.
❖ Upholding Allah’s Legal Limits in Inheritance
After detailing the laws of inheritance, Allah ﷻ declares:
“These are the limits set by Allah. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, He will admit him to Gardens under which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. But whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits—He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally, and for him is a humiliating punishment.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 14)
Failing to follow these laws is a major sin that leads to eternal loss.
❖ The Difference Between Dowry and Inheritance
Some people claim that giving dowry to daughters fulfills their share of inheritance.
This is a grave misunderstanding:
✔ Dowry (Jahāz) is a cultural custom, not a Shari‘ah requirement.
✔ Inheritance is a divine command clearly prescribed in the Qur’an.
Thus, dowry does not replace the obligatory share of inheritance.
❖ The Sin of Withholding Inheritance from Women
Those who deprive sisters and female relatives of their inheritance—no matter how religious they appear outwardly (offering prayers, performing Hajj, giving Zakat)—are considered great sinners in the sight of Allah.
Such behavior is condemned and detested by Allah ﷻ.
❖ A Double Sin: Cultural Practice and Religious Disobedience
Those who give dowry in place of inheritance are guilty of two major violations:
① Promoting a non-Islamic custom
② Neglecting a binding command of the Qur’an
❖ The Need for Social Reform
The welfare of the Muslim community lies in:
✔ Discouraging harmful customs like dowry
✔ Encouraging adherence to the divinely revealed laws of inheritance
Only then can a society based on justice, fairness, and divine guidance be established.
