What Is Faraidh? Islamic Inheritance Law Explained Simply

Faraidh — the Islamic law of inheritance — is one of the most precisely defined systems in Islamic jurisprudence. Unlike other areas of Islamic law where scholarly differences are wide, the Faraidh shares are directly stipulated in the Quran with mathematical precision. Allah says at the end of the inheritance verses (Surah An-Nisa 4:11): "This is an obligation from Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise."

Understanding Faraidh matters not only for your own will, but for knowing your rights when a Muslim family member passes away.

The Quranic basis of Faraidh

The word Faraidh (فَرَائِض) is the plural of Farida — a fixed, obligatory share. The inheritance shares are found primarily in three consecutive passages:

• Quran 4:11 — Shares of children and parents
• Quran 4:12 — Shares of spouses and siblings
• Quran 4:176 — Shares of siblings when neither parent survives

These verses specify fractions: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, and 1/6 — the six Faraidh fractions.

The two types of heirs

In Faraidh, heirs fall into two broad categories:

Fixed-share heirs (Dhawul Furud) — those who receive a specified fraction regardless of how many other heirs exist. Their fraction may reduce if certain conditions apply (in Awl), but they always receive something if they are eligible.

Residuary heirs (Asaba) — those who receive whatever remains after the fixed-share heirs have taken their portions. Sons are the primary Asaba. They receive the remainder — which could be almost everything (if few fixed-share heirs exist) or a small fraction (if many do).

The spouse's share

The spouse is the first heir to receive their share before anything else is distributed:

Note that a man may have up to four wives simultaneously in Islamic law, but the total wife's share does not change — it remains 1/4 or 1/8 regardless of the number of wives, shared equally among them.

Children's shares

Children are the most significant category of heirs:

Only daughters (no sons):

• One daughter: 1/2
• Two or more daughters: 2/3 shared equally

Sons and daughters together: Both inherit as Asaba (residuary heirs). Each son receives double a daughter's share. This is expressed as a ratio: a son counts as 2 units, a daughter as 1 unit.

Only sons: Sons inherit as Asaba — they share everything remaining after other fixed shares, equally.

Parents' shares

Both parents have fixed shares when alive:

Father:

• Receives 1/6 as a fixed share if you have children
• If you have only daughters, he receives 1/6 plus whatever remains after daughters' shares (Asaba role)
• If you have no children: he takes all the residue (Asaba)

Mother:

• Receives 1/6 if you have children or if you have two or more siblings
• Receives 1/3 if you have no children and fewer than two siblings
• In the special Umariyyatain case (spouse + mother + father, no children): receives 1/3 of the residue after the spouse's share, not 1/3 of the full estate

Extended family heirs

Extended family heirs only inherit when closer relatives are absent:

| Heir | When they inherit | |---|---| | Paternal grandfather | When father is deceased | | Paternal grandmother | When mother is deceased | | Full brothers/sisters | When father and sons are absent | | Paternal half-siblings | When full siblings are absent | | Maternal half-siblings | Fixed 1/6 (one) or 1/3 (two+), only when there are no children or father |

The blocking rules (Hajb)

A closer heir blocks a more distant one entirely. Key blocking rules:

• Father blocks paternal grandfather
• Son blocks brothers and uncles
• Both parents block grandparents
• Full brothers block paternal half-brothers

This is called Hajb al-Hirman (complete blocking). Some heirs are partially blocked — their share is reduced but not eliminated — called Hajb al-Nuqsan.

Special rules for edge cases

Awl (proportional reduction): When fixed shares total more than 100%, all shares are proportionally reduced. This happens in specific family combinations — most commonly when a spouse, daughters, and mother all have fixed shares that together exceed the estate.

Radd (surplus return): When fixed shares total less than 100% and there is no Asaba heir, the surplus returns to fixed-share heirs in proportion to their shares (excluding the spouse in most schools).

Umariyyatain: Named after Caliph Umar's ruling, this applies when the heirs are: spouse + mother + father, with no children. The mother receives 1/3 of what remains after the spouse's share, rather than 1/3 of the full estate.