Calculate Shariah-compliant inheritance shares (Mirath) based on the Quran and Sunnah. Select the surviving heirs below.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer: Islamic inheritance law (Faraid) is highly complex with many special cases. This calculator provides a simplified estimation based on common scenarios. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified Islamic scholar or Shariah advisor for actual estate distribution. This tool should not be used as a substitute for professional legal or religious guidance.
Islamic inheritance law, known as Faraid (فرائض) or Mirath (ميراث), is one of the most detailed and precisely defined areas of Islamic jurisprudence. The Quran dedicates several verses to specifying exact inheritance shares, making it one of the few areas where Allah (SWT) has prescribed precise mathematical fractions rather than leaving the details to scholarly interpretation.
The primary verses governing Islamic inheritance are found in Surah An-Nisa (4:11-12 and 4:176). These verses specify the shares of close relatives with remarkable mathematical precision. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized the importance of this knowledge, saying in a hadith narrated by Ibn Majah: "Learn the laws of inheritance and teach them to the people, for they are half of knowledge."
Before inheritance shares are calculated, the estate must be processed in a specific order. First, all funeral and burial expenses are paid from the estate. Second, all debts owed by the deceased are settled in full — this includes loans, unpaid Zakat, unpaid Mahr, and any other financial obligations. Third, the Wasiyyah (bequest) is fulfilled — this is a voluntary allocation of up to one-third (1/3) of the remaining estate to non-heirs or charitable causes. The deceased cannot bequeath to someone who is already an heir. Finally, the remaining estate is distributed among the legal heirs according to their Quranic shares.
Islamic inheritance recognizes three categories of heirs. Dhawul-Furud (Fixed Share Heirs) receive specific fractions as prescribed in the Quran — these include the spouse, parents, daughters (when no sons), and sisters (when no brothers). Asabah (Residuary Heirs) receive whatever remains after the fixed shares are distributed — sons are the primary residuary heirs. Dhawul-Arham (Distant Kindred) only inherit when there are no fixed-share or residuary heirs — this includes maternal uncles, aunts, and their descendants.
| Heir | Share (with children) | Share (without children) |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/4 of estate | 1/2 of estate |
| Wife | 1/8 of estate | 1/4 of estate |
| Father | 1/6 + residue (if no sons) | Residue (all or remainder) |
| Mother | 1/6 of estate | 1/3 of estate |
| Son | Residue (after fixed shares) — divided equally among sons | |
| Daughter (alone) | 1/2 if one; 2/3 if two or more (shared) | |
| Daughter (with son) | Son gets 2× daughter's share (Asabah) | |
| Full Brother | Residue (if no sons, father, or grandfather) | |
| Full Sister (alone) | 1/2 if one; 2/3 if two+ (if no brothers, sons, father) | |
| Grandmother | 1/6 (if no mother) | |
One of the most commonly asked questions about Islamic inheritance is why, in certain cases, a male heir receives twice the share of a corresponding female heir. The Islamic perspective is that this difference is balanced by the financial responsibilities that Islam places on men. In Islamic law, a husband is obligated to provide for his wife, children, and sometimes other female relatives (Nafaqah), while a woman has no such obligation — her wealth is entirely her own. A son who inherits more than his sister must use that wealth to support his family, while the sister's share belongs to her without any obligation to spend it on others. When viewed as part of this complete financial system, the distribution is considered equitable rather than equal.
Islam allows every Muslim to create a Wasiyyah (Islamic will) to direct up to one-third of their estate to non-heirs, charitable causes, or specific projects. This is an important tool for Muslims who wish to support organizations, build mosques, fund scholarships, or provide for individuals who are not legal heirs. The key rules are that the Wasiyyah cannot exceed one-third of the total estate, it cannot be directed to an existing legal heir (as their share is already prescribed by Allah), and it should be witnessed by at least two trustworthy individuals.
Islamic inheritance law includes several complex special cases. Awl occurs when the total prescribed shares exceed the estate — in this case, all shares are proportionally reduced. Radd is the opposite, where the prescribed shares do not consume the entire estate and the excess is redistributed. The Grandfather-Siblings problem is one of the most debated issues, with different schools of thought offering varying solutions. These complexities are why we strongly recommend consulting a qualified scholar for actual estate distribution.
⚖️ Scholarly Advice: Islamic inheritance is described as "half of all knowledge" due to its complexity and importance. While this calculator provides useful estimates, please consult with a qualified Islamic scholar, Mufti, or Shariah-compliant legal advisor before making any actual inheritance decisions.