How to use Islamic Inheritance Calculator (Faraid)
Calculate the Islamic inheritance (Faraid) distribution of an estate among surviving heirs according to the shares prescribed in the Quran (Surah An-Nisa, verses 11-12). Enter the total net estate value and select which heirs survive the deceased — spouse, children, parents, and siblings — to see each heir's Quranic fraction and exact monetary amount. For complex estates or disputed situations, consulting a qualified Islamic scholar or Faraid specialist is strongly recommended.
- Enter the total net estate value after settling debts, funeral expenses, and any valid bequests (wasiyyah) up to one-third.
- Select the surviving heirs by category: husband or wife, son(s), daughter(s), father, mother, and siblings.
- Review each heir's prescribed Quranic share (fraction) displayed alongside the calculated monetary amount.
- Note any cases of hajb (blocking) where the presence of a closer heir reduces or eliminates a more distant heir's share.
- Consult a scholar or Faraid specialist for estates involving complex family structures, mixed assets, or potential disputes.
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Quranic inheritance shares (Faraid)
Islamic inheritance law (Ilm al-Faraid) assigns fixed fractional shares — called fard — to specific heirs as defined in the Quran (4:11-12 and 4:176) and elaborated in the hadith and classical jurisprudence. These primary heirs (ashab al-furud) receive their portions first; any remainder passes to residuary heirs (asabah), typically male agnatic relatives. The presence of a closer heir (hajb) can reduce or completely block more distant relatives. The table below summarises the main shares under the mainstream Sunni position; Shia jurisprudence follows a distinct system and should be addressed with a qualified scholar accordingly.
| Heir | Share — with children of deceased | Share — no children of deceased |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/4 | 1/2 |
| Wife or wives (shared equally) | 1/8 | 1/4 |
| Father | 1/6 (plus residuary if no son) | 1/6 or residuary |
| Mother | 1/6 | 1/3 (if no siblings of deceased) |
| Single daughter (no son) | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| Two or more daughters (no son) | 2/3 combined | 2/3 combined |
| Son | Residuary (asabah) | Residuary (asabah) |
| Full brother (no son or father) | Residuary | Residuary |
Pre-distribution deductions and the wasiyyah limit
Before Faraid shares are distributed, Islamic law requires four obligations to be settled from the estate in order: funeral and burial expenses, repayment of all debts owed by the deceased, fulfillment of any charitable endowments (waqf) or vows, and finally any bequests (wasiyyah). A wasiyyah is strictly limited to one-third of the net estate and cannot be directed to a Quranic heir, preventing circumvention of the fixed shares. Only the remaining estate after all these deductions is subject to Faraid distribution. Non-Muslim heirs and heirs who caused the death of the deceased are excluded from inheritance under classical Faraid rules; scholars should be consulted for any specific and complex situation.
Worked examples
Widow with children (Sunni)
Inputs: Estate $120,000: widow, 1 son, 1 daughter
Result: Widow 1/8 = $15,000; son $70,000, daughter $35,000 (2:1)
Husband, no children
Inputs: Wife dies leaving husband and no descendants
Result: Husband's fixed share = 1/2; remainder to other eligible heirs
Glossary
- Faraid
- The Islamic science of inheritance law; the word derives from the Arabic root meaning "obligatory shares" (fara'id), reflecting that these portions are commanded by the Quran.
- Asabah
- Residuary heirs who receive what remains of the estate after the fixed Quranic shares have been distributed; typically the male agnatic relatives of the deceased.
- Hajb
- The blocking or reduction of one heir's share due to the presence of a closer heir; a full block (hajb hirman) excludes a more distant heir entirely.
- Wasiyyah
- A bequest made by the deceased, valid for up to one-third of the net estate and not payable to a Quranic heir; must be settled before Faraid distribution.
- Aul (proportional reduction)
- A mechanism applied when the total of all fixed fractional shares exceeds the whole estate; all shares are reduced proportionally by increasing the common denominator.
Related reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use Islamic Inheritance Calculator (Faraid)?
- Calculates each heir's Quranic fractional share and monetary amount from a net estate value you enter
- Applies hajb (blocking) rules to show which heirs are reduced or excluded by closer relatives
- Covers all primary ashab al-furud heirs: spouse, children, parents, and siblings
- Handles the aul mechanism when combined fixed shares exceed one, reducing all proportionally
Common use cases
- Work out the exact share of a wife and three children from a net estate of £200,000
- Determine whether a brother inherits anything when both parents of the deceased are still alive
- Check which residuary asabah heir receives the remainder after all fixed Quranic shares are paid
- Identify whether a surviving father takes a fixed sixth share or a residuary share given no sons
- Calculate how aul proportionally reduces all shares when fractions sum to more than one
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