Islamic Inheritance Guide (Mirath / میراث)

1. Introduction

  • Definition: Islamic inheritance (Mirath) is the process of distributing the wealth of a deceased person according to Shariah.
  • Source: Based on the Qur’an (Surah An-Nisa, verses 11, 12, 176) and authentic Hadith.
  • Purpose: Ensure justice, protect rights of heirs, and prevent disputes.

2. Key Principles

  1. Debts & Funeral Costs First
    Before inheritance distribution, pay:
    • Funeral expenses
    • Debts of the deceased
    • Any bequests (up to 1/3 of estate)
  2. Fixed Shares (Faraid)
    Certain heirs have predefined shares in the Qur’an.
  3. Male gets double female
    (For children) — Qur’an 4:11:
    “To the male, a portion equal to that of two females.”
  4. No Will Against Heirs’ Shares
    You cannot write a will to change Quranic shares.

3. Main Categories of Heirs

  • Primary heirs: Spouse, children, parents.
  • Secondary heirs: Siblings, grandparents, uncles/aunts (only if primary heirs are absent).

4. Fixed Shares According to Qur’an

HeirShare if conditions met
Husband1/2 (if no children), 1/4 (if children exist)
Wife1/4 (if no children), 1/8 (if children exist)
Father1/6 (if children exist), otherwise residuary
Mother1/6 (if children exist), 1/3 (if no children)
SonDouble the share of daughter
Daughter1/2 if only one daughter, 2/3 shared if more than one, otherwise half of a son’s share
Brother/SisterOnly if no parents/children

5. Worked Example

Example: A man dies leaving: Wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter.
Estate = €10,000

  1. Wife gets 1/8: €10,000 × 1/8 = €1,250
  2. Remaining = €8,750
  3. Sons & daughter share remaining:
    • Sons get 2 parts each
    • Daughter gets 1 part
    • Total parts = 2 + 2 + 1 = 5 parts
    • Value per part = €8,750 ÷ 5 = €1,750
    • Each son: €1,750 × 2 = €3,500
    • Daughter: €1,750 × 1 = €1,750

6. Important Notes

  • Adopted children do not inherit automatically in Shariah (can be gifted in lifetime).
  • Non-Muslim relatives generally do not inherit from a Muslim.
  • Stepchildren do not inherit unless included in a bequest (max 1/3).

7. Qur’anic References

  • Surah An-Nisa 4:11 – Shares of children, parents.
  • Surah An-Nisa 4:12 – Shares of spouse, siblings (maternal).
  • Surah An-Nisa 4:176 – Shares in case of Kalalah (no parents/children).

اسلامی وراثت کا مکمل اصول / Complete Islamic Inheritance Rules

اسلامی وراثت قرآن و سنت کے اصولوں پر مبنی ہے۔ سورۃ النساء (4:11) میں اللہ تعالیٰ نے حصے واضح بیان کیے ہیں۔

بنیادی اصول

  • بیٹے کا حصہ بیٹی سے دوگنا
  • بیٹی اکیلی ہو تو نصف
  • دو یا زیادہ بیٹیاں ہوں تو دو تہائی
  • ماں کا حصہ اولاد ہونے کی صورت میں 1/6
  • باپ کا حصہ اولاد ہونے کی صورت میں 1/6

Example

ترکہ: 100,000 روپے، ورثاء: ماں، باپ، 1 بیٹا، 1 بیٹی

ماں: 1/6 = 16,666.67 روپے

باپ: 1/6 = 16,666.67 روپے

بیٹا: 44,444.44 روپے

بیٹی: 22,222.22 روپے