Inheritance

21^st November 2023

Question: An elderly woman has passed away. She has no existing parents, no children and no husband.  She also has no existing uncles. She only has 3 full sisters and their children existing. She had 2 brothers who passed away many years before her. Both brothers had children who are still alive; elder brother had 1 son and 1 daughter and brother 2 had 1 daughter only.  Kindly inform us who is Islamically entitled to a share in her estate.

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your case scenario, after clearing all funeral expenses, fulfilling all outstanding debt and one-third of the deceased’s personal will for a specific cause (if she made one that is), based on the description above only her 3 full sisters and her paternal nephew (brother’s son) will inherit and the rest will be deprived.

1. 3 sisters will inherit 2/3^rd from the entire estate as they are amongst the Dhuwil-Furoodh category (those whose shares are stipulated in the Quran and Sunnah).[1]
2. The paternal nephew will inherit the residue share (1/3^rd) due to being the Asabah who inherit all whatever remains after the Dhuwil-Furoodh.[2]

Other family members such as her nieces from both sides will be deprived as they fall under the category of Dhuwil-Arham who don’t inherit anything in the presence of the Dhuwil-Furoodh and Asabah relatives.[3]

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written and researched by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Faraidh, vol 1, p. 500

الْبَابُ الثَّانِي فِي ذَوِي الْفُرُوضِ

الْخَامِسَةُ – الْأَخَوَاتُ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ لِلْوَاحِدَةِ النِّصْفُ وَلِلثِّنْتَيْنِ فَصَاعِدًا الثُّلُثَانِ، كَذَا فِي خِزَانَةِ الْمُفْتِينَ وَمَعَ الْأَخِ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ، وَلَهُنَّ الْبَاقِي مَعَ الْبَنَاتِ أَوَمَعَ بَنَاتِ الِابْنِ، كَذَا فِي الْكَافِي.

[2] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Faraidh, vol 1, p. 501

الْبَابُ الثَّالِثُ فِي الْعَصَبَاتِ

عَصَبَةٌ بِنَفْسِهِ وَهُوَ كُلُّ ذَكَرٍ لَا يَدْخُلُ فِي نِسْبَتِهِ إلَى الْمَيِّتِ أُنْثَى وَهُمْ أَرْبَعَةُ أَصْنَافٍ: جُزْءُ الْمَيِّتِ وَأَصْلُهُ وَجُزْءُ أَبِيهِ وَجُزْءُ جَدِّهِ، كَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ فَأَقْرَبُ الْعَصَبَاتِ الِابْنُ ثُمَّ ابْنُ الِابْنِ وَإِنْ سَفَلَ ثُمَّ الْأَبُ ثُمَّ الْجَدُّ أَبُ الْأَبِ وَإِنْ عَلَا، ثُمَّ الْأَخُ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ الْأَخُ لِأَبٍ ثُمَّ ابْنُ الْأَخِ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ الْأَخِ لِأَبٍ ….

[3] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Faraidh, vol 1, p. 507

الْبَابُ الْعَاشِرُ فِي ذَوِي الْأَرْحَامِ

وَذَوُو الْأَرْحَامِ كُلُّ قَرِيبٍ لَيْسَ بِذِي سَهْمٍ وَلَا عَصَبَةٍ وَهُمْ كَالْعَصَبَاتِ مَنْ انْفَرَدَ مِنْهُمْ أَخَذَ جَمِيعَ الْمَالِ……. وَصِنْفٌ يَنْتَمِي إلَى أَبَوَيْ الْمَيِّتِ كَبَنَاتِ الْإِخْوَةِ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ أَوْ لِأَبٍ وَأَوْلَادِ الْإِخْوَةِ لِأُمٍّ وَأَوْلَادِ الْأَخَوَاتِ كُلِّهَا،

وَإِنَّمَا يَرِثُ ذَوُو الْأَرْحَامِ إذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ الْفَرَائِضِ مِمَّنْ يُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ عَصَبَةٌ وَأَجْمَعُوا عَلَى أَنَّ ذَوِي الْأَرْحَامِ لَا يُحْجَبُونَ بِالزَّوْجِ وَالزَّوْجَةِ أَيْ يَرِثُونَ مَعَهُمَا

16^th November 2023

Question: I need to know who gets what in inheritance from my deceased father. He left behind £150,000 as his estate leaving behind a wife, 2 boys and 3 girls. His eldest son passed away before him years ago who has 3 girls and a wife. In addition to the 3 girls, father has step-daughter from his wife’s previous marriage. 

1. How much do his existing 2 sons and 3 daughters receive from his estate? 
2. Would any share be calculated for his deceased son or for his wife and daughters? 
3. Will his step-daughter’s share be calculated also from the estate?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your case scenario, if after clearing all funeral expenses, fulfilling all outstanding debt and one-third of the deceased’s personal will for a specific cause (if he made one that is) the above stated amount remains as is estate then it will be distributed amongst their legal beneficiaries in the following manner.

1. The entire estate will be divided into 8 parts between his wife and existing children.
2. The wife will receive one-eighth as stipulated in the Quran (1 part).[1]
3. Children: The residue amount after the wife’s share will be divided between his 2 sons and 3 daughters; each son receiving double the share of a daughter.[2]

The previously deceased son will not receive a share from the now late father’s estate and neither his deceased son’s wife and his children. The above 2 sons and 3 daughters have taken all of the share and hence, excluded all other members. Concerning, the stepdaughter from his wife’s previous marriage then as she has no biological connection to the deceased, she will not receive a share.[3]

Table below illustrates the entitlement share of each beneficiary.

 [Allãh Knows Best]

Written by:  Apa Sumayyah bint Abdul Alim          Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam      

JKN Fatawa Department

[1]

Surah Nisa Aayat 12

وَلَهُنَّ الرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكۡتُمۡ اِنۡ لَّمۡ يَكُنۡ لَّكُمۡ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَاِنۡ كَانَ لَـكُمۡ وَلَدٌ فَلَهُنَّ الثُّمُنُ مِمَّا تَرَكۡتُمۡ​ مِّنۡۢ بَعۡدِ وَصِيَّةٍ تُوۡصُوۡنَ بِهَاۤ اَوۡ دَ يۡنٍ​

Allamah Ibn Abideen, Radul Muhtaar, Kitabul Fara’idh, Vol 6. Pg.769

فَقَالَ (فَيُفْرَضُ لِلزَّوْجَةِ فَصَاعِدًا الثَّمَنُ مَعَ وَلَدٍ أَوْ وَلَدِ ابْنٍ

[2] Al Quraan, Surah Nisaa, Aayat 10

 يُوصِيكُمُ اللَّهُ فِي أَوْلَادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ

فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءًۭ فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ ۖ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْف

[3] Allamah Ibn Abideen, Shaami, Kitaabul Faraaidh vol 6, pg 762

وَيُسْتَحَقُّ الْإِرْثُ) وَلَوْ لِمُصْحَفٍ بِهِ يُفْتَى وَقِيلَ لَا يُورَثُ وَإِنَّمَا هُوَ لِلْقَارِئِ مِنْ وَلَدَيْهِ صَيْرَفِيَّةٌ بِأَحَدِ ثَلَاثَةٍ (بِرَحِمٍ وَنِكَاحٍ) صَحِيحٍ فَلَا تَوَارُثَ بِفَاسِدٍ وَلَا بَاطِلٍ إجْمَاعًا

                     27^th September 2023

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: An elderly lady is the last surviving member of her family. She has never married and has no children. She had two brothers and one sister and all have passed away now. They were all married and had children (boys and girls) and grandchildren (boys and girls) of their own. Can you please tell me how here estate would be distributed.

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In the absence of the dhuwil furoodh (those that have their portions distributed to them directly by the Quran, husband, brother, father etc.) the Asabah relations (those that inherit in the absence of dhuwil furoodh), will receive the entire estate.[1] This is evident from the Quran in the following verse

وَهُوَ يَرِثُهَا إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهَا وَلَدٌ

And he [her brother] will inherit all of her estate if she dies childless [An-Nisa 4:176]

In the above case, the elderly woman will have her entire estate distributed between the children of her brothers only. That is to say, all of her nephews and nieces from her blood brothers will receive the entirety of her estate; each male child inheriting double the share of their co-sibling female according to the Qur’anic principle.[2] The children of her nieces and nephews will be deprived. Males inheriting twice the share of females is evidenced by the ayah.

لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ

The share of the male will be twice that of the female [An-Nisa 4:11]

[Allāh Knows Best]

Written by:  Maulana Hafiz Mahmud Ali        Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

[1] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Mirath, Bāb fi al-asabaath, vol 6, p. 451

 (الْبَابُ الثَّالِثُ فِي الْعَصَبَاتِ) وَهُمْ كُلُّ مَنْ لَيْسَ لَهُ سَهْمٌ مُقَدَّرٌ وَيَأْخُذُ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْ سِهَامِ ذَوِي الْفُرُوضِ وَإِذَا انْفَرَدَ أَخَذَ جَمِيعَ الْمَالِ

Sarakhsi, al-Mabsoot, Kitāb al-Mirath,  Bāb  Ashab al-Mirath, vol 29 p. 174

 (قَالَ – رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ -) أَصْحَابُ الْمَوَارِيثِ بِالِاتِّفَاقِ صِنْفَانِ أَصْحَابُ الْفَرَائِضِ وَالْعَصَبَاتُ فَأَصْحَابُ الْفَرَائِضِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ نَفَرًا أَرْبَعَةٌ مِنْ الرِّجَالِ وَثَمَانِيَةٌ مِنْ النِّسَاءِ فَالرِّجَالُ الْأَبُ وَالْجَدُّ وَالزَّوْجُ وَالْأَخُ لِأُمٍّ وَالنِّسَاءُ الْأُمُّ وَالْجَدَّةُ وَالْبِنْتُ وَبِنْتُ الِابْنِ وَالْأُخْتُ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ وَالْأُخْتُ لِأَبٍ وَالْأُخْتُ لِأُمٍّ وَالزَّوْجَةُ فَسِتَّةٌ مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ صَاحِبُ فَرْضٍ فِي عُمُومِ الْأَحْوَالِ وَهُمْ الزَّوْجُ وَالْأَخُ لِأُمٍّ وَالْأُمُّ وَالْجَدَّةُ وَالْأُخْتُ لِأُمٍّ وَالزَّوْجَةُ وَسِتَّةٌ يَتَرَدَّدُ حَالُهُمْ بَيْنَ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَالْعُصُوبَةِ وَهُمْ الْأَبُ وَالْجَدُّ وَالْبِنْتُ وَبِنْتُ الِابْنِ وَالْأُخْتُ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ وَالْأُخْتُ لِأَبٍ وَأَمَّا الْعَصَبَاتُ لَا يُحْصَوْنَ عَدَدًا، وَلَكِنْ يُحْصَوْنَ جِنْسًا وَهُمْ أَصْنَافٌ ثَلَاثَةٌ عَصَبَةٌ بِنَفْسِهِ وَعَصَبَةٌ بِغَيْرِهِ وَعَصَبَةٌ مَعَ غَيْرِهِ. فَأَمَّا الْعَصَبَةُ بِغَيْرِهِ وَالْعَصَبَةُ مَعَ غَيْرِهِ فَقَدْ تَقَدَّمَ بَيَانُهُمَا، وَهَذَا الْبَابُ لِبَيَانِ مَنْ هُوَ عَصَبَةٌ بِنَفْسِهِ وَهُوَ الذَّكَرُ الَّذِي لَا يُفَارِقُهُ الذُّكُورُ فِي نِسْبَةٍ إلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَأَقْرَبُ الْعَصَبَاتِ الِابْنُ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ الِابْنِ، وَإِنْ سَفَلَ، ثُمَّ الْأَبُ، ثُمَّ الْجَدُّ أَبٌ الْأَبِ، وَإِنْ عَلَا، ثُمَّ الْأَخُ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ الْأَخُ لِأَبٍ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ الْأَخِ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ الْأَخِ لِأَبٍ، ثُمَّ الْعَمُّ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ الْعَمُّ لِأَبٍ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ الْعَمِّ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ الْعَمِّ لِأَبٍ ثُمَّ عَمُّ الْأَبِ لِأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ عَمُّ الْأَبِ لِأَبٍ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ عَمِّ الْأَبِ لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ، ثُمَّ ابْنُ عَمِّ الْأَبِ لِأَبٍ، ثُمَّ عَمُّ الْجَدِّ هَكَذَا وَالْأَصْلُ فِيهِ قَوْلُهُ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ – «مَا أَبْقَتْ الْفَرَائِضُ فَلِأَوْلَى رَجُلٍ ذَكَرٍ» مَعْنَاهُ فَلِأَقْرَبِ رَجُلٍ ذَكَرٍ وَالِابْنُ أَقْرَبُ إلَى الْمَيِّتِ مِنْ الْأَبِ لِأَنَّ الِابْنَ تَفَرَّعَ مِنْ الْمَيِّتِ فَالْمَيِّتُ أَصْلُهُ وَالْأَبُ تَفَرَّعَ مِنْهُ الْمَيِّتُ فَهُوَ أَصْلٌ لَهُ وَاتِّصَالُ الْفَرْعِ بِالْأَصْلِ أَظْهَرُ مِنْ اتِّصَالِ الْأَصْلِ بِالْفَرْعِ.

[2] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Mirath, Bāb fi al-asabaath, vol 6, p. 452

 إذَا اجْتَمَعَتْ الْعَصَبَاتُ بَعْضُهَا عَصَبَةٌ بِنَفْسِهَا وَبَعْضُهَا عَصَبَةٌ بِغَيْرِهَا وَبَعْضُهَا عَصَبَةٌ مَعَ غَيْرِهَا فَالتَّرْجِيحُ مِنْهَا بِالْقُرْبِ إلَى الْمَيِّتِ لَا بِكَوْنِهَا عَصَبَةً بِنَفْسِهَا، حَتَّى أَنَّ الْعَصَبَةَ مَعَ غَيْرِهَا إذَا كَانَتْ أَقْرَبَ إلَى الْمَيِّتِ مِنْ الْعَصَبَةِ بِنَفْسِهَا كَانَتْ الْعَصَبَةُ مَعَ غَيْرِهَا أَوْلَى. بَيَانُهُ إذَا هَلَكَ الرَّجُلُ وَتَرَكَ بِنْتًا وَأُخْتًا لِأَبٍ وَأُمٍّ وَابْنَ أَخٍ لِأَبٍ فَنِصْفُ الْمِيرَاثِ لِلْبِنْتِ وَالنِّصْفُ لِلْأُخْتِ وَلَا شَيْءَ لِابْنِ الْأَخِ؛ لِأَنَّ الْأُخْتَ صَارَتْ عَصَبَةً مَعَ الْبِنْتِ وَهِيَ إلَى الْمَيِّتِ أَقْرَبُ مِنْ ابْنِ الْأَخِ، وَكَذَلِكَ إذَا كَانَ مَعَ ابْنِ الْأَخِ عَمٌّ لَا شَيْءَ لِلْعَمِّ، وَكَذَلِكَ إذَا كَانَ مَكَانُ ابْنِ الْأَخِ أَخًا لِأَبٍ لَا شَيْءَ لِلْأَخِ، كَذَا فِي الْمُحِيطِ

             20th May 2022

Question: Kindly provide us with the Islamic guidelines to the following scenario. Person passed away leaving behind his Wife and 4 sons and 2 daughters and one brother and one sister. He doesn’t have parents as both passed away before him. Who gets what share?

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer: Thank for your question. In reference to your case scenario, firstly the deceased’s wealth will be used towards the burial costs of the deceased, thereafter any bequests made shall be fulfilled from 1/3 of the remaining wealth. Whatever remains thereafter shall be then distributed amongst their legal heirs in the following manner. The entire estate shall be divided into 80 equal parts. The wife shall be given one-tenth (1/8th) of the share and the residue 70 parts will be divided by 10 shares; each son inheriting double the share of a daughter and each daughter receiving a single share. In other words, each son receiving 14 shares from 70 and each daughter receiving 7 shares.  This will be then used to calculate the total share from the value of the estate. Due to the existing sons, the brother and sister shall not receive any share.

[Allāh Knows Best]

Written by:  Mufti Anas Mullah        Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department 

11th May 2022

Question: My Father passed away in 2007 leaving a property in which all us siblings are living in. He left behind wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters. The property value at the time of his death was £200,000. At the time due to family circumstances, we were unable to distribute the shares from his property. This year, we have now decided to sell the property and distribute the value between us according to the Islamic shares. As we are already familiar with the Islamic shares, my question is should the shares be calculated according to the current market value i.e. £400,000 or from £200,000?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your case scenario, the property in question must be distributed in accordance to the current market value i.e. £400,000 between the beneficiaries according to their Islamic shares. In principle, all of the beneficiaries are eligible to the usufruct of the estate left by your father. This means that whatever additional gain accrues on the property then they will receive that also. In this case, when the property share has not been distributed and its market value has increased to £400,000, their Islamic shares will now be calculated according to this value..[1]

 [Allãh Knows Best]

Written and researched by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Durrul Mukhtār wa hashiyah Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitābul Sharikah, vol 4 p. 325

[فَصْلٌ فِي الشَّرِكَةِ الْفَاسِدَةِ]

وَكَذَا لَوْ اجْتَمَعَ إخْوَةٌ يَعْمَلُونَ فِي تَرِكَةِ أَبِيهِمْ وَنَمَا الْمَالُ فَهُوَ بَيْنَهُمْ سَوِيَّةً، وَلَوْ اخْتَلَفُوا فِي الْعَمَلِ وَالرَّأْيِ

Durrul Mukhtār wa hashiyah Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitābul Sharikah, vol 4 p. 307

[تَنْبِيهٌ] يَقَعُ كَثِيرًا فِي الْفَلَّاحِينَ وَنَحْوِهِمْ أَنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ يَمُوتُ فَتَقُومُ أَوْلَادُهُ عَلَى تَرِكَتِهِ بِلَا قِسْمَةٍ وَيَعْمَلُونَ فِيهَا مِنْ حَرْثٍ وَزِرَاعَةٍ وَبَيْعٍ وَشِرَاءٍ وَاسْتِدَانَةٍ وَنَحْوِ ذَلِكَ، وَتَارَةً يَكُونُ كَبِيرُهُمْ هُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَلَّى مُهِمَّاتِهِمْ وَيَعْمَلُونَ عِنْدَهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ عَلَى وَجْهِ الْإِطْلَاقِ وَالتَّفْوِيضِ، لَكِنْ بِلَا تَصْرِيحٍ بِلَفْظِ الْمُفَاوَضَةِ وَلَا بَيَانِ جَمِيعِ مُقْتَضَيَاتِهَا مَعَ كَوْنِ التَّرِكَةِ أَغْلَبُهَا أَوْ كُلُّهَا عُرُوضٌ لَا تَصِحُّ فِيهَا شَرِكَةُ الْعَقْدِ، وَلَا شَكَّ أَنَّ هَذِهِ لَيْسَتْ شَرِكَةَ مُفَاوَضَةٍ، خِلَافًا لِمَا أَفْتَى بِهِ فِي زَمَانِنَا مَنْ لَا خِبْرَةَ لَهُ بَلْ هِيَ شَرِكَةُ مِلْكٍ كَمَا حَرَّرْته فِي تَنْقِيحِ الْحَامِدِيَّةِ. ثُمَّ رَأَيْت التَّصْرِيحَ بِهِ بِعَيْنِهِ فِي فَتَاوَى الْحَانُوتِيِّ، فَإِذَا كَانَ سَعْيُهُمْ وَاحِدًا وَلَمْ يَتَمَيَّزْ مَا حَصَّلَهُ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ بِعَمَلِهِ يَكُونُ مَا جَمَعُوهُ مُشْتَرَكًا بَيْنَهُمْ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ وَإِنْ اخْتَلَفُوا فِي الْعَمَلِ وَالرَّأْيِ كَثْرَةً وَصَوَابًا كَمَا أَفْتَى بِهِ فِي الْخَيْرِيَّةِ، وَمَا اشْتَرَاهُ أَحَدُهُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ يَكُونُ لَهُ وَيَضْمَنُ حِصَّةَ شُرَكَائِهِ مِنْ ثَمَنِهِ إذَا دَفَعَهُ مِنْ الْمَالِ الْمُشْتَرَكِ، وَكُلُّ مَا اسْتَدَانَهُ أَحَدُهُمْ يُطَالَبُ بِهِ وَحْدَهُ.

4th December 2021

Question: Could you kindly clarify whether inheritance law applies to unlawful income or not? For instance, if my father passed away leaving his estate which was all earned through unlawful income then will his children inherit from the estate or not? Can it also be used to for other noble projects such as building a Masjid for him?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In refence to your case, if you acknowledge that the inheritance money your father left behind was all from unlawful income through a profession that is unlawful for a Muslim then it will not be Halal to inherit that money. There are severe warnings against earning unlawful income. The entire wealth must be disposed of by giving it away to the most-needy people without the intention of reward.[1] That is the standard ruling because a Muslim is not allowed to utilize nor profit from unlawful wealth.

As for your point about using the money to build a Masjid in your father’s name then if the inheritance money was unlawful in the beginning, then utilising it for a noble and sacred purpose will not be permitted also. The above ruling of giving it away towards the most-needy is necessary.[2] Allāh Almighty only accepts pure earnings spent towards a noble and charitable cause. Allāh states in the Quran, “O Believers! Spend from the pure earnings that you have earned and (also give into charity) from that which we have germinated for you from the land.”[3] The Messenger of Allāh sallallahu alayhi wasallam said in a lengthy report, “Verily Allāh is pure and does not accept but pure”[4]

In the case where you wish for your father to receive the reward of continuous charity after his death, then this can be attained in many ways for instance, donating some money from your personal earnings towards a masjid, towards the poor or towards an Islamic institute in his name. If you still wish to build a Masjid for him then you may request family members and friends for some charitable donations for a Masjid project in his name. Even this method can fulfil the purpose.

 [Allãh Knows Best]

Written and researched by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Fatawa Hindiyyah, Kitāb al-Karāhiyyah, vol 5, p. 429

الْبَابُ الْخَامِسَ عَشَرَ فِي الْكَسْبِ

وَإِذَا مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ وَكَسْبُهُ خَبِيثٌ فَالْأَوْلَى لِوَرَثَتِهِ أَنْ يَرُدُّوا الْمَالَ إلَى أَرْبَابِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا أَرْبَابَهُ تَصَدَّقُوا بِهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ كَسْبُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحِلُّ وَابْنُهُ يَعْلَمُ ذَلِكَ وَمَاتَ الْأَبُ وَلَا يَعْلَمُ الِابْنُ ذَلِكَ بِعَيْنِهِ فَهُوَ حَلَالٌ لَهُ فِي الشَّرْعِ وَالْوَرَعُ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ بِهِ بِنِيَّةِ خُصَمَاءِ أَبِيهِ كَذَا فِي الْيَنَابِيعِ.

Durrul Mukhtār wa hashiyah Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitābul Buyu, Bāb Bai’ al-Fasid, vol 7 p. 301-2

مَطْلَبٌ فِيمَنْ وَرِثَ مَالًا حَرَامًا

(قَوْلُهُ إلَّا فِي حَقِّ الْوَارِثِ إلَخْ) أَيْ فَإِنَّهُ إذَا عَلِمَ أَنَّ كَسْبَ مُوَرِّثِهِ حَرَامٌ يَحِلُّ لَهُ، لَكِنْ إذَا عَلِمَ الْمَالِكَ بِعَيْنِهِ فَلَا شَكَّ فِي حُرْمَتِهِ وَوُجُوبِ رَدِّهِ عَلَيْهِ، وَهَذَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ وَقَيَّدَهُ فِي الظَّهِيرِيَّةِ إلَخْ، وَفِي مُنْيَةِ الْمُفْتِي: مَاتَ رَجُلٌ وَيَعْلَمُ الْوَارِثُ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ كَانَ يَكْسِبُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحِلُّ وَلَكِنْ لَا يَعْلَمُ الطَّلَبَ بِعَيْنِهِ لِيَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ حَلَّ لَهُ الْإِرْثُ وَالْأَفْضَلُ أَنْ يَتَوَرَّعَ وَيَتَصَدَّقَ بِنِيَّةِ خُصَمَاءِ أَبِيهِ. اهـ وَكَذَا لَا يَحِلُّ إذَا عَلِمَ عَيْنَ الْغَصْبِ مَثَلًا وَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ مَالِكَهُ، لِمَا فِي الْبَزَّازِيَّةِ أَخَذَهُ مُوَرِّثُهُ رِشْوَةً أَوْ ظُلْمًا، إنْ عَلِمَ ذَلِكَ بِعَيْنِهِ لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ أَخْذُهُ، وَإِلَّا فَلَهُ أَخْذُهُ حُكْمًا أَمَّا فِي الدِّيَانَةِ فَيَتَصَدَّقُ بِهِ بِنِيَّةِ إرْضَاءِ الْخُصَمَاءِ اهـ. وَالْحَاصِلُ أَنَّهُ إنْ عَلِمَ أَرْبَابَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَجَبَ رَدُّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ، وَإِلَّا فَإِنْ عَلِمَ عَيْنَ الْحَرَامِ لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ وَيَتَصَدَّقُ بِهِ بِنِيَّةِ صَاحِبِهِ، وَإِنْ كَانَ مَالًا مُخْتَلِطًا مُجْتَمِعًا مِنْ الْحَرَامِ وَلَا يَعْلَمُ أَرْبَابَهُ وَلَا شَيْئًا مِنْهُ بِعَيْنِهِ حَلَّ لَهُ حُكْمًا، وَالْأَحْسَنُ دِيَانَةً التَّنَزُّهُ عَنْهُ فَفِي الذَّخِيرَةِ: سُئِلَ الْفَقِيهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَمَّنْ اكْتَسَبَ مَالَهُ مِنْ أُمَرَاءِ السُّلْطَانِ وَمِنْ الْغَرَامَاتِ الْمُحَرَّمَاتِ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ هَلْ يَحِلُّ لِمَنْ عَرَفَ ذَلِكَ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ؟ قَالَ أَحَبُّ إلَيَّ فِي دِينِهِ أَنْ لَا يَأْكُلَ وَيَسَعُهُ حُكْمًا إنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ ذَلِكَ الطَّعَامُ غَصْبًا أَوْ رِشْوَةً وَفِي الْخَانِيَّةِ: امْرَأَةٌ زَوْجُهَا فِي أَرْضِ الْجَوْرِ، وَإِنْ أَكَلَتْ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ عَيْنُ ذَلِكَ الطَّعَامِ غَصْبًا فَهِيَ فِي سَعَةٍ مِنْ أَكْلِهِ وَكَذَا لَوْ اشْتَرَى طَعَامًا أَوْ كِسْوَةً مِنْ مَالٍ أَصْلُهُ لَيْسَ بِطَيِّبٍ فَهِيَ فِي سَعَةٍ مِنْ تَنَاوُلِهِ وَالْإِثْمُ عَلَى الزَّوْجِ. اهـ (قَوْلُهُ وَسَنُحَقِّقُهُ ثَمَّةَ) أَيْ فِي كِتَابِ الْحَظْرِ وَالْإِبَاحَةِ. قَالَ هُنَاكَ بَعْدَ ذِكْرِهِ مَا هُنَا لَكِنْ فِي الْمُجْتَبَى: مَاتَ وَكَسْبُهُ حَرَامٌ فَالْمِيرَاثُ حَلَالٌ، ثُمَّ رَمَزَ وَقَالَ: لَا نَأْخُذُ بِهَذِهِ الرِّوَايَةِ، وَهُوَ حَرَامٌ مُطْلَقًا عَلَى الْوَرَثَةِ فَتَنَبَّهْ. اهـ. ح، وَمُفَادُهُ الْحُرْمَةُ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَرْبَابُهُ وَيَنْبَغِي تَقْيِيدُهُ بِمَا إذَا كَانَ عَيْنَ الْحَرَامِ لِيُوَافِقَ مَا نَقَلْنَاهُ، إذْ لَوْ اخْتَلَطَ بِحَيْثُ لَا يَتَمَيَّزُ يَمْلِكُهُ مِلْكًا خَبِيثًا، لَكِنْ لَا يَحِلُّ لَهُ التَّصَرُّفُ فِيهِ مَا لَمْ يُؤَدِّ بَدَلَهُ كَمَا حَقَقْنَاهُ قُبَيْلَ بَابِ زَكَاةِ الْمَالِ فَتَأَمَّلْ.

Mufti Mahmood al-Hasan, Fatawa Mahmoodiyyah, Kitabul Faraidh, vol 20, p. 339-340

Maulana Khalid Saifullah, Kitabul Fatawa, Meerath, vol 6, p. 344

[2] Durrul Mukhtār wa hashiyah Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Kitābul Zakāt, vol 2 p. 291

كَمَا لَوْ كَانَ الْكُلُّ خَبِيثًا كَمَا فِي النَّهْرِ عَنْ الْحَوَاشِي السَّعْ

(قَوْلُهُ: كَمَا لَوْ كَانَ الْكُلُّ خَبِيثًا) فِي الْقُنْيَةِ لَوْ كَانَ الْخَبِيثُ نِصَابًا لَا يَلْزَمُهُ الزَّكَاةُ؛ لِأَنَّ الْكُلَّ وَاجِبُ التَّصَدُّقِ عَلَيْهِ فَلَا يُفِيدُ إيجَابَ التَّصَدُّقِ بِبَعْضِهِ. اهـ. وَمِثْلُهُ فِي الْبَزَّازِيَّةِ (قَوْلُهُ: كَمَا فِي النَّهْرِ) أَيْ أَوَّلِ كِتَابِ الزَّكَاةِ عِنْدَ قَوْلِ الْكَنْزِ وَمَلَكَ نِصَابَ حَوْلِيٍّ، وَمِثْلُهُ فِي الشُّرُنْبُلَالِيَّةِ، وَذَكَرَهُ فِي شَرْحِ الْوَهْبَانِيَّةِ بَحْثًا؛ وَفِي الْفَصْلِ الْعَاشِرِ مِنْ التَّتَارْخَانِيَّة عَنْ فَتَاوَى الْحُجَّةِ: مَنْ مَلَكَ أَمْوَالًا غَيْرَ طَيِّبَةٍ أَوْ غَصَبَ أَمْوَالًا وَخَلَطَهَا مَلَكَهَا بِالْخَلْطِ وَيَصِيرُ ضَامِنًا، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ سِوَاهَا نِصَابٌ فَلَا زَكَاةَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا وَإِنْ بَلَغَتْ نِصَابًا؛ لِأَنَّهُ مَدْيُونٌ وَمَالُ الْمَدْيُونِ لَا يَنْعَقِدُ سَبَبًا لِوُجُوبِ الزَّكَاةِ عِنْدَنَا.

[3] Quran [Surah Baqarah 2:265]

[4] Saheeh Muslim, No. 1015

بَابُ قَبُولِ الصَّدَقَةِ مِنَ الْكَسْبِ الطَّيِّبِ وَتَرْبِيَتِهَا

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: ” أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، إِنَّ اللهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا، وَإِنَّ اللهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ، فَقَالَ: {يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا، إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ} [المؤمنون: 51] وَقَالَ: {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ} [البقرة: 172] ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ، يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ، يَا رَبِّ، يَا رَبِّ، وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَغُذِيَ بِالْحَرَامِ، فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لِذَلِكَ؟ “

15th October 2020

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question:  My father passed away leaving behind  64 acres of agricultural land among us 4 brothers, 8 sisters (his children) and our mother (his wife). kindly inform us of the distribution of share in terms of acres. How much acres the brother gets and sister and mother?

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In reference to your query, after clearing all funeral costs, any debt and any bequeaths of one third of his to non-inheritors (if he made one that is) then the share for each beneficiary is as follows.  Your mother who is his wife will receive one eighth of the inheritance. [1]The rest of the seven eighths will be divided between the children; each son receiving double the share of what a daughter receives.[2] This means that;

• Your mother (wife of the deceased) will receive 8 acres.
• Each sister (daughter of the deceased) will receive 3.5 acres.
• Each brother (son of the deceased) will receive 7 acres.

The number of the stipulated shares should total to 64 acres.

[Allāh Knows Best]

Written by:  Apa Sajeda          Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed

Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam      

JKN Fatawa Department

[1] Al Quraan, Surah Nisaa, Aayat 12

وَلَهُنَّ الرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَكُمْ وَلَدٌ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَكُمْ وَلَدٌ فَلَهُنَّ الثُّمُنُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ تُوصُونَ بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ

Allamah Ibn Abideen, Radul Muhtaar, Kitabul Fara’idh, Vol 6. Pg.769

فَقَالَ (فَيُفْرَضُ لِلزَّوْجَةِ فَصَاعِدًا الثَّمَنُ مَعَ وَلَدٍ أَوْ وَلَدِ ابْنٍ

[2] Al Quraan, Surah Nisaa, Aayat 10

 يُوصِيكُمُ اللَّهُ فِي أَوْلَادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ

Allamah Ibn Abideen, Radul Muhtaar, Kitabul Fara’idh, Vol 6. Pg.775

وَيَصِيرُ عَصَبَةً بِغَيْرِهِ الْبَنَاتُ بِالِابْنِ وَبَنَاتُ الِابْنِ بِابْنِ الِابْنِ) وَإِنْ سَفَلُوا (وَالْأَخَوَاتُ) لِأَبَوَيْنِ أَوْ لِأَبٍ (بِأَخِيهِنَّ) فَهُنَّ أَرْبَعٌ ذَوَاتُ النِّصْفِ وَالثُّلُثَيْنِ يَصِرْنَ عَصَبَةً بِإِخْوَتِهِنَّ،

27^th June 2019

 السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: Kindly calculate the following amount under the Islamic inheritance law. We have two separate amounts that needs calculating. My father left behind the following assets;

1) Cash amount in UK: £41,432.46

2) Cash amount in Bangladesh: 170,000 Taka. 

Could you please do a separate calculation for each of the above amounts. 

The qualifying recipients are; 

1) wife (ie my mother)

2) 4 sons 

3) 4 daughters 

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to the above scenario, the inheritance amount of the above monetary value will be distributed among the aforementioned recipients as below if the above amount remains the residue after clearing all funeral expenses, clearing all outstanding debt and distributing one-third of will (if he made one that is).

Total asset will be divided by 96 parts from which

Wife: 1/8^th of share; 12 parts

4 son & 4 daughters: receive the remainder 84 parts from which each son inherits double the share of the daughter. See Table below

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

31^st October 2018

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: Husband passed away leaving behind a wife, 1 son, 3 daughters and 2 sisters. Kindly inform us the Islamic share of the above beneficiaries.

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to the above scenario, the sisters will be deprived from the share of inheritance due to the existence of the son who in conjunction with the daughters inherit the residue amount after the wife’s share.

Total asset will be divided by 40 parts from which

Wife: 1/8^th of share; 5 parts

1 son & 3 daughters: receive the remainder 35 parts from which the son inherits double the share of the daughter. See Table below 

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department

15^th March 2018

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Question: My khala passed away over a month ago and I wanted to know how her property will be distributed as she left behind: Mother, Husband, 3 daughters, 1 brother & 1 sister.

الجواب حامداً و مصلياً

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

In reference to your query, the property or its value will be distributed according to the below guidelines after discharging all funeral expenses, clearing all outstanding debts and executing one-third of the deceased’s wealth (only if she made one that is).

The total asset will be divided 39 parts from which

Husband: (1/4^th) receives 9 shares

Mother: (1/6^th) receives 6 shares

3 daughters: (2/3^rd) receive 24 shares. (See table below)

Brothers and sisters will be deprived of their share of inheritance.  

[Allãh Knows Best]

Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed

Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam

JKN Fatawa Department