Inheritance Ruling: Wife, Sister, and Cousin’s Son
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, Page 567
❖ Question
The query is presented to the scholars of Islam: Rano Khan has passed away, leaving behind the following heirs:
◄ One wife
◄ One sister
◄ One cousin’s (paternal aunt’s daughter’s) son
Kindly clarify, according to the Shariah of Muhammad ﷺ, how the estate will be divided among these heirs.
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Before the division of inheritance, the following matters must be fulfilled from the deceased’s wealth:
➊ Funeral and burial expenses.
➋ Repayment of debts (if any).
➌ Execution of a valid will (within one-third of the estate).
After this, the remainder of the estate (movable and immovable property) will be divided. Assuming the estate is 1 rupee, the distribution is as follows:
▣ Division of Inheritance
❀ Sister’s Share:
The sister will receive half (½) of the estate = 8 ānā.
As Allah ﷻ says:
﴿إِنِ ٱمْرُؤٌا۟ هَلَكَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَلَهُۥٓ أُخْتٌ فَلَهَا نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ﴾
❀ Wife’s Share:
The wife will receive one-fourth (¼) of the estate = 4 ānā.
As Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَلَهُنَّ الرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّكُمْ وَلَدٌ﴾
❀ Cousin’s Son’s Share:
The remainder = 4 ānā, will go to the cousin’s son as ʿAṣabah (residuary heir).
As the Prophet ﷺ said:
"الحقوا الفرائض بأهلها فما بقي فلأولى رجل ذكر"
▣ Division in the Modern Decimal System (%)
If the estate is considered 100 rupees, the shares will be:
◈ Sister: ½ = 50 rupees
◈ Wife: ¼ = 25 rupees
◈ Cousin’s son (ʿAṣabah): 25 rupees
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
