Islamic will (wasiyyah)
How a will works in Faraid: debts first, then a bequest capped at one-third of the net estate.
Each ruling below links to the Quran, a Hadith, or IslamQA. Links open on those sites.
The one-third cap
A wasiyyah is an optional bequest. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas asked to give two-thirds, then half. The Prophet ﷺ allowed one-third and said one-third is a lot.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)
In Faraid it comes after funeral costs and debts, and before Quranic shares. If the will asks for more, this calculator cuts it to one-third.Sources:Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 200127 (Pay funeral costs, then debts, then the will, then heirs; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 10447 (How to write a will in Islam; opens in a new tab)
Order of payment
- Funeral and burial costsSources: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)
- Debts of the deceasedSources:Quran 4:11 (Shares of children and parents, after debts and bequests; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 200127 (Pay funeral costs, then debts, then the will, then heirs; opens in a new tab)IslamQA 47057 (Funeral costs, debts, and bequests come before heirs; opens in a new tab)
- The will, up to one-third of what remainsSources:Sahih al-Bukhari 2742 (A will may not exceed one-third of the estate; 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)
- Quranic and residuary shares on the restSources: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)Sahih al-Bukhari 6732 (Give the fixed shares; the remainder goes to the closest male relative; opens in a new tab)
Amounts are optional. You can leave money blank and still see fractions and percentages.
What this tool does not decide
A bequest to an heir often needs the other heirs to agree. The Prophet ﷺ said there is no bequest for an heir. Local law can also limit a will. This tool only applies the one-third cap. It does not check the beneficiary. See the full order of Faraid.Sources:Sunan Abi Dawud 2870 (There is no bequest for an heir; 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)IslamQA 10447 (How to write a will in Islam; opens in a new tab)
Use the free calculator to work out each heir's fraction, percentage, and amount. Open the calculator