Blocking of heirs (hajb)
How a closer relative blocks a farther relative from a share, or reduces that share, in Islamic inheritance.
Each ruling below links to the Quran, a Hadith, or IslamQA. Links open on those sites.
Two kinds of blocking
Hajb hirman is full blocking. The farther relative takes nothing. Hajb nuqsan is partial blocking. The farther relative still inherits, but with a smaller fraction.Sources:IslamQA 140167 (Order of the estate, heirs, and blocking; opens in a new tab)
Common full blocks
- A son blocks grandchildren in the son's line.Sources:IslamQA 131473 (A living son blocks grandchildren in the son's line; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 20782 (Grandsons inherit only when no living son remains; opens in a new tab)
- A son or father blocks full and paternal siblings from residue.Sources:IslamQA 106599 (A son blocks the deceased person's siblings; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 130287 (A son or father blocks siblings; mother and wife take reduced shares; opens in a new tab)Quran 4:176 (Shares of full or paternal siblings in kalalah; opens in a new tab)
- A living father blocks the paternal grandfather.Sources:IslamQA 175366 (A grandfather stands in for a missing father; a grandmother for a missing mother; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 225165 (Rules of inheritance: fixed shares, residue, and impediments; opens in a new tab)
- The mother blocks the maternal grandmother.Sources:Sunan Abi Dawud 2895 (A grandmother takes one-sixth if no mother remains; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 175366 (A grandfather stands in for a missing father; a grandmother for a missing mother; opens in a new tab)
- A closer male agnate blocks a farther uncle, nephew, or cousin.Sources:Sahih al-Bukhari 6732 (Give the fixed shares; the remainder goes to the closest male relative; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 135906 (Paternal uncles, blocking, and distant kindred; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 85136 (A wife takes one-quarter; residue goes to the closest male agnate; opens in a new tab)
Common reduced shares
- A child reduces the husband from one-half to one-quarter.Sources:Quran 4:12 (Shares of spouses and maternal siblings, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 85136 (A wife takes one-quarter; residue goes to the closest male agnate; opens in a new tab)
- A child reduces a wife from one-quarter to one-eighth.Sources:Quran 4:12 (Shares of spouses and maternal siblings, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 307 (A wife takes one-eighth when children survive; opens in a new tab)
- A child, or two or more siblings, reduces the mother from one-third to one-sixth.Sources:Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 130287 (A son or father blocks siblings; mother and wife take reduced shares; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 185199 (A father blocks siblings; siblings still reduce the mother's share; opens in a new tab)
The calculator hides questions for relatives who cannot inherit in your case. The results page still lists blocked people and the reason. See who can inherit.Sources:IslamQA 140167 (Order of the estate, heirs, and blocking; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 127945 (An heir must be alive after the deceased; opens in a new tab)
Use the free calculator to work out each heir's fraction, percentage, and amount. Open the calculator