Muslim Inheritance Law in the Quran (A Simple Guide)

Who gets what when a loved one passes away? It feels sensitive and complex, yet the Quran gives a clear path. This guide breaks down Muslim inheritance law in plain language, with simple steps and examples you can follow. The core rules come from Surah An-Nisa: 4:11, 4:12, and 4:176.

In short, you first pay funeral costs and debts, then apply any valid will up to one-third. After that, you divide the remaining estate by the Quranic shares. We will walk through a quick reference section, easy math, and a short FAQ.

This guide aims to support fairness, family care, and clarity. Local laws can affect how estates are handled, so always check both religious guidance and local rules in your country. For a primer on the Quranic basis, see this overview of inheritance in the Quran, and a helpful tafsir of Surah An-Nisa 4:11.

How Quran inheritance works, step by step

Start simple. Follow this order, and write your numbers as you go.

1. List everything the person owned.

2. Subtract funeral costs and any debts.

3. Apply a valid will up to one-third of what remains.

4. Divide the rest by the Quranic shares.

A few key terms help:

• Fixed shares: Certain heirs receive set fractions, like one-half, one-fourth, one-sixth, or two-thirds.

• Remainder: After fixed shares are given, there may be leftover. That amount usually goes to the closest eligible family member based on Islamic rules.

Before you do math, draw a quick family map. List spouse, children, parents, and siblings. Note who is alive. This avoids missing someone and makes the next steps smoother. For a high-level walkthrough of the process, see this short guide on the inheritance distribution process.

The key verses: 4:11, 4:12, and 4:176

• 4:11 sets shares for children and parents. It covers when sons and daughters inherit together, when daughters are alone, and how parents receive one-sixth in some cases.

• 4:12 sets shares for spouses and some other cases. It explains how a husband or wife inherits when there are children or when there are none.

• 4:176 addresses siblings in special cases. It applies when there are no direct descendants and clarifies how brothers and sisters inherit.

If you want a plain-language summary of where these shares come from, this overview of Islamic inheritance ties the rules to those verses.

First pay debts and valid will, then divide shares

Always pay funeral costs and debts first. Then apply a valid will up to one-third of the remaining estate. A will can give to charity or non-heirs, but it cannot take away from Quranic heirs. Only after these steps do you divide by the fixed shares. You are dividing from what is left, not the original total.

You cannot cut a fixed share with a will. That boundary protects named heirs and keeps the system fair.

Fixed shares and the remainder (simple terms)

Some relatives receive set fractions. Common ones are one-half, one-fourth, one-eighth, one-sixth, and two-thirds. After those are given, there can be leftover. That remainder typically goes to the closest eligible family member according to the rules, often the father or the children, depending on who is alive.

If your numbers do not add up, or shares seem to exceed the total, you might be in a special case. Seek help from a scholar, because some scenarios need more detailed rules.

Make a quick family map before you start

Here is a quick checklist:

• List spouse, children, parents, and siblings.

• Note who is alive at the time of death.

• Check if there are any debts or loans.

• Check if there is a will, and whether it fits the one-third limit.

With your map ready, you can match people to shares in the next section.

Who gets what: Quran fixed shares at a glance

These are the core Quran-based shares for spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Apply them after debts and any valid will up to one-third.

Spouses (husband and wife) shares

• Husband: one-half if the deceased has no children; one-fourth if there are children.

• Wife: one-fourth if the deceased has no children; one-eighth if there are children.

These amounts come after funeral costs, debts, and any valid will within the one-third limit.

Children shares (sons and daughters)

• Sons and daughters together: each son gets twice the share of each daughter.

• One daughter, no sons: she receives one-half.

• Two or more daughters, no sons: they share two-thirds together.

If there are sons, daughters do not take the fixed half or two-thirds. Instead, all children share the remainder with a 2 to 1 ratio for male to female.

Parents shares

• If the deceased has children: each parent receives one-sixth.

• If no children and no siblings: the mother receives one-third, and the father often takes the remainder after other fixed shares.

• If siblings exist: the mother receives one-sixth. The father’s share can include the remainder, depending on who else is present.

These rules balance care for the older generation with support for the immediate family.

Siblings shares (when there are no children)

When the deceased has no children and certain other close heirs are not present, siblings can inherit.

• One sister alone: she receives one-half.

• Two or more sisters: they share two-thirds.

• Brothers and sisters together: a male receives twice the share of a female.

These cases are addressed in 4:176, and they apply when there are no direct descendants.

How to calculate shares: four simple examples

We will use round numbers and clean steps. In each example, we set the estate, check debts and will, apply fixed shares, then give the remainder.

Example 1: Husband dies, wife, one son, one daughter, and both parents alive

• Estate: 120,000 dollars

• Debts and will: 0 dollars

Shares:

• Wife: one-eighth, 15,000 dollars. There are children, so the wife receives one-eighth.

• Mother: one-sixth, 20,000 dollars. Children are present, so the mother receives one-sixth.

• Father: one-sixth, 20,000 dollars. Children are present, so the father receives one-sixth.

Remainder:

• Total fixed shares so far: 15,000 + 20,000 + 20,000 = 55,000 dollars.

• Remainder: 120,000 minus 55,000 = 65,000 dollars.

Children share the remainder with a 2 to 1 ratio:

• Total parts: 3 parts, 2 parts for the son and 1 part for the daughter.

• Son: 2 of 3 parts of 65,000 = 43,333.33 dollars.

• Daughter: 1 of 3 parts of 65,000 = 21,666.67 dollars.

Why these shares? The wife receives one-eighth since there are children. Each parent receives one-sixth when children exist. The children share the remainder at a 2 to 1 ratio for son to daughter.

Example 2: Wife dies, husband and both parents, no children

• Estate: 90,000 dollars

• Debts and will: 0 dollars

Shares:

• Husband: one-half, 45,000 dollars. There are no children, so the husband receives one-half.

• Mother: one-third, 30,000 dollars. No children and no siblings, so the mother receives one-third.

• Father: remainder, 15,000 dollars. In this setup, the father takes the remainder after fixed shares.

This matches the rules for spouses and parents when there are no children.

Example 3: Woman dies, no spouse or children, one brother and two sisters

• Estate: 60,000 dollars

• Debts and will: 0 dollars

Siblings inherit as a group with a 2 to 1 ratio:

• Use units to keep it clear.

• Brother: 2 units.

• Each sister: 1 unit.

• Total units: 4.

Divide the estate by 4 units:

• Brother: 2 of 4 units, 30,000 dollars.

• Each sister: 1 of 4 units, 15,000 dollars.

This follows the rule for mixed siblings when there are no direct descendants.

Example 4: Man dies, wife and parents, no children

• Estate: 120,000 dollars

• Debts and will: 0 dollars

Shares:

• Wife: one-fourth, 30,000 dollars. No children, so the wife receives one-fourth.

• Mother: one-third, 40,000 dollars. No children and no siblings, so the mother receives one-third.

• Father: remainder, 50,000 dollars. He receives what is left after fixed shares.

Notice the order. You gave fixed shares, then the remainder to the father.

For more background reading that ties these examples to the verses, see this practical summary of inheritance in the Quran.

FAQs and common mistakes to avoid

Short answers keep this simple. If your case is complex, talk to a scholar and an attorney. Local law can change how you carry out the plan.

Why does a son get twice a daughter?

In Islamic teaching, men carry larger financial duties for the family, like housing and ongoing support. The shares reflect those duties. All heirs are honored, and the goal is fairness across a family’s needs and roles.

For a classical explanation connected to the verses, this tafsir on Surah 4:11 gives useful context.

Can a will change fixed shares or disinherit an heir?

No. Fixed shares in the Quran are set. A valid will can give up to one-third to charity or non-heirs, and it should not harm the shares of named heirs. Only apply the will after paying debts, then divide the rest by the fixed shares.

A short overview of the will limit and the relevant verses is in this guide to Islamic inheritance.

Do stepchildren or adopted children inherit?

Not by default under Quranic shares. You can give gifts during your life, or you can include up to one-third for them in your will. Speak with a local scholar and an attorney to do this in a compliant way and to match local law.

Common calculation mistakes

• Using the estate total before paying debts.

• Ignoring the one-third limit for a will.

• Skipping the mother’s one-sixth when siblings exist.

• Rounding too early, which can cause small errors.

• Forgetting to check who is alive at the time of death.

Do the steps in order. Check that all shares add to 100 percent of what remains after debts and will.

When to get help from a scholar or attorney

Get help when you have:

• Complex families, such as multiple marriages or guardianship issues.

• International assets or property in more than one country.

• A business, partnership interests, or trusts.

• Totals that do not add to the estate after you do the math.

Local law affects probate, taxes, and how documents must be written. Solid religious guidance and legal advice keep your plan both valid and practical. For a quick scaffold on process and paperwork, this overview of the inheritance distribution process is a good starting point.

Conclusion

The order matters: pay funeral costs and debts, apply a valid will up to one-third, then divide by the Quranic shares. Remember the core rules for spouses, children, parents, and siblings, and use a family map so you do not miss anyone. Make a compliant will, keep records, and revisit your plan after life changes like births, deaths, or moves.

If you want a deeper read on the verses and basic shares, the concise guide on inheritance in the Quran and the tafsir of 4:11 help tie the details together. May your planning bring fairness, kindness, and unity to your family.