How Islamic inheritance works

What Faraid is

Faraid is the Islamic law of inheritance. The Quran names fixed shares for close relatives. Men and women both take a share of what parents and close relatives leave.Sources:Quran 4:7 (Men and women have a share of what parents and close relatives leave; opens in a new tab)·Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)·Quran 4:12 (Shares of spouses and maternal siblings, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 225165 (Rules of inheritance: fixed shares, residue, and impediments; opens in a new tab)

After those fixed shares, the remaining estate goes to residuary heirs (asaba). The Prophet ﷺ said to give the shares to those who are entitled, then give what remains to the closest male relative.Sources:Sahih al-Bukhari 6732 (Give the fixed shares; the remainder goes to the closest male relative; opens in a new tab)·Sahih Muslim 1615a (Give the shares to those entitled; the remainder goes to the nearest male heir; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 225165 (Rules of inheritance: fixed shares, residue, and impediments; opens in a new tab)

A closer relative can block a farther relative. This calculator follows that order. It is for education. Ask a qualified scholar or lawyer for a binding result.Sources:IslamQA 140167 (Order of the estate, heirs, and blocking; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 106599 (A son blocks the deceased person's siblings; opens in a new tab)

The order of distribution

1. Pay funeral costs and debts of the deceased. These come out before any heir or will. The Quran names shares after debts and bequests.Sources:IslamQA 44039 (Funeral costs come from the estate first; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 200127 (Pay funeral costs, then debts, then the will, then heirs; opens in a new tab)·Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)
2. Pay an optional will (wasiyyah). The cap is one-third of the net estate. Read the will rules.Sources:Sahih al-Bukhari 2742 (A will may not exceed one-third of the estate; opens in a new tab)·Sahih Muslim 1628a (Give one-third in charity; one-third is enough; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 174421 (A bequest is capped at one-third and is not for an heir; opens in a new tab)
3. Give Quranic fixed shares (furud) to the heirs who qualify. The Quran names six fractions: one-half, one-quarter, one-eighth, two-thirds, one-third, and one-sixth. See the share table.Sources:Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)·Quran 4:12 (Shares of spouses and maternal siblings, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 225165 (Rules of inheritance: fixed shares, residue, and impediments; opens in a new tab)
4. Give any residue to agnates, such as sons, the father, brothers, or paternal uncles. Sons and daughters share residue in a 2:1 ratio.Sources:Sahih al-Bukhari 6732 (Give the fixed shares; the remainder goes to the closest male relative; opens in a new tab)·Sahih Muslim 1615a (Give the shares to those entitled; the remainder goes to the nearest male heir; opens in a new tab)·Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 76418 (Sons and daughters share residue with the male taking twice the female; opens in a new tab)
5. Apply blocking (hajb) so a closer heir keeps a farther heir out, or reduces that share. Read how blocking works.Sources:IslamQA 140167 (Order of the estate, heirs, and blocking; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 131473 (A living son blocks grandchildren in the son's line; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 130287 (A son or father blocks siblings; mother and wife take reduced shares; opens in a new tab)
6. If fixed shares exceed the estate, reduce every share in proportion. That is 'awl. If a remainder is left, return it to blood relatives, or send it to the public treasury, by school. Read 'awl and radd.Sources:IslamQA 131556 (Awl reduces every Quranic share in proportion; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 126233 (Awl example: husband, daughters, and grandmother; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 160948 (Radd versus the public treasury by school; opens in a new tab)

What the calculator shows

After you name the surviving relatives, the tool lists each heir's fraction, percentage, and amount. The Quran treats these shares as set limits. The result is for study, not a fatwa.Sources:Quran 4:13 (These are the limits set by Allah; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 10447 (How to write a will in Islam; opens in a new tab)

First choose a school of thought. Then answer only the questions that still matter. The form hides relatives who cannot inherit in that case.Sources:IslamQA 140167 (Order of the estate, heirs, and blocking; opens in a new tab)·IslamQA 160948 (Radd versus the public treasury by school; opens in a new tab)

Related guides

• Who inherits in Islam
• Quranic inheritance shares
• Blocking of heirs (hajb)