Shar‘i Inheritance: Distribution for Wife, Sister, Brother, and Cousin

Shar‘i Distribution of Inheritance and Clarification of Shares​

Source: Fatawa Rashidiyyah, Page 624

Question​

It was asked regarding Haji Haml, who passed away leaving the following heirs:


◈ One wife, Wasandi
◈ One sister, Adan
◈ One maternal brother
◈ One cousin, Ismail


Additionally, Wasandi had personally received 14 large animals from her parents. The clarification is sought as to how the estate will be divided according to the Shari‘ah of Muhammad ﷺ.

Answer​

Alhamdulillah, wa al-salatu wa al-salamu ‘ala Rasulillah, Amma ba‘d!


The procedure of estate division is as follows:


① Funeral expenses are deducted first.
② Then, any outstanding debts of the deceased must be paid.
③ Any valid will is executed, but only up to one-third of the estate.
④ After these, the remainder of the estate (movable or immovable) is distributed among the heirs.

Distribution of Inheritance​

Total estate of Haji Haml = 1 rupee


◈ Wife (Wasandi): 4 annas (¼ share)
◈ Sister (Adan): 8 annas (½ share)
◈ Maternal brother: 2 annas 8 paisa (⅙ share)
◈ Cousin (Ismail): 1 anna 4 paisa (residuary)

Note on Wasandi’s 14 Animals​

The 14 large animals received by Wasandi from her parents are her personal property. No one else has any claim over them.


Important: If the case is exactly as mentioned in the question, this answer is valid. However, if the question was misrepresented, the ruling will change accordingly.

Modern Decimal Calculation (Total = 100%)

Heir	Share (fraction)	Share (%)
Wife (Wasandi)	¼	25%
Sister (Adan)	½	50%
Maternal brother	1/6	16.66%
Cousin (Ismail)	Residuary	8.34%

Conclusion​

According to the Shari‘ah of Muhammad ﷺ:

• The wife inherits 25%.
• The sister inherits 50%.
• The maternal brother inherits 16.66%.
• The cousin (Ismail), as residuary, receives 8.34%.
• The 14 animals gifted to Wasandi by her parents remain her personal property, independent of the inheritance.

ھذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب