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
- Debts & Funeral Costs First
Before inheritance distribution, pay:- Funeral expenses
- Debts of the deceased
- Any bequests (up to 1/3 of estate)
- Fixed Shares (Faraid)
Certain heirs have predefined shares in the Qur’an. - Male gets double female
(For children) — Qur’an 4:11:
“To the male, a portion equal to that of two females.” - 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
Heir | Share if conditions met |
---|---|
Husband | 1/2 (if no children), 1/4 (if children exist) |
Wife | 1/4 (if no children), 1/8 (if children exist) |
Father | 1/6 (if children exist), otherwise residuary |
Mother | 1/6 (if children exist), 1/3 (if no children) |
Son | Double the share of daughter |
Daughter | 1/2 if only one daughter, 2/3 shared if more than one, otherwise half of a son’s share |
Brother/Sister | Only if no parents/children |
5. Worked Example
Example: A man dies leaving: Wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter.
Estate = €10,000
- Wife gets 1/8: €10,000 × 1/8 = €1,250
- Remaining = €8,750
- 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