Islamic Inheritance Calculator

Faraid (also written Fara'id) is the Islamic system of inheritance — the rules that determine how a deceased Muslim's estate is distributed among their surviving relatives. The word comes from the root meaning "obligation" or "fixed portions."

The primary source is the Quran, particularly Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), which contains the most detailed inheritance rulings in Islamic law. The Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) further clarifies many rules.

Faraid is not optional for Muslims. Where it applies, it is a religious duty — the estate must be distributed according to the rules, not simply according to a will or personal wishes.

The main Quranic verses on inheritance are in Surah An-Nisa:

Verse 4:11 (meaning): "Allah instructs you concerning your children — for the male the equivalent of the share of two females. If there are only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the estate. If only one, her share is one half. For each parent, one-sixth of the estate if the deceased left children. If no children and the parents are the sole heirs, the mother receives one-third. If the deceased has siblings, the mother receives one-sixth." (Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.)

Verse 4:12 (meaning): "For you is one-half of what your wives leave if they have no child. If they have a child, for you is one-fourth of what they leave. For them (wives) is one-fourth of what you leave if you have no child. If you have a child, they receive one-eighth." The verse also addresses uterine siblings in kalalah cases.

Verse 4:176 (meaning): "They ask you about kalalah (no ascending or descending heirs). Say: If a man dies leaving no children, and he has a sister, then she receives half of what he left. And he inherits from her if she has no child. If there are two sisters, they receive two-thirds. If there are brothers and sisters, the male receives the equivalent of the share of two females." (Allah makes clear to you so that you do not go astray.)

Note: These are paraphrased meanings to convey the rulings. For exact translation, refer to a certified Quran translation.

Before heirs receive anything, the estate must cover:

• 1. Funeral & burial expenses — reasonable costs paid first from the estate
• 2. Debts of the deceased — all financial obligations, including unpaid mahr (dower)
• 3. Valid Wasiyyah (bequest) — up to one-third of the net estate after debts, to non-heirs only (unless all heirs consent to a bequest to an heir)
• 4. Faraid distribution — the remaining net estate is distributed to heirs according to the fixed rules

This order is strict. Heirs cannot receive anything until debts are settled. This is a religious duty, not just a legal procedure.

Ashab al-Furud are the heirs who receive a fixed, pre-determined fraction of the estate. These fractions are directly stated in the Quran or established by the Sunnah.

The possible fixed fractions are: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/3, 2/3, 1/6.

The fixed-share heirs include: spouses, daughters, son's daughters, mother, father (in some cases), grandmothers, full sisters, paternal sisters, and uterine siblings.

Fixed shares are assigned first. What remains after all fixed shares is called the residue.

Asabah are heirs who take what remains of the estate after all fixed shares are paid. They have no fixed fraction — they take the residue.

The primary residuary heir is the son. If a son exists, he (with daughters sharing 2:1) takes the residue. After sons, the residue goes to the father, then full brothers, then paternal brothers, then their sons, then paternal uncles, and so on.

Daughters can become residuary heirs if they inherit alongside their brothers. A full sister can become a residuary heir (Asabah bil-Ghayr) when inheriting alongside a full brother, or (Asabah ma'a al-Ghayr) when inheriting alongside daughters or son's daughters.

If no residuary heir exists and fixed shares are less than 100%, Radd (return) may apply.

Hajb means exclusion or blocking. Some heirs are completely excluded (Hajb Hirman) when a closer heir exists, while others have their share reduced (Hajb Nuqsan).

Key blocking rules:

• A son blocks: son's son, full brothers, paternal brothers, paternal uncles, and many extended heirs
• A father blocks: paternal grandfather, full brothers, paternal brothers, paternal uncles
• A mother blocks: grandmothers on both sides
• A full brother blocks: paternal brothers and paternal sisters
• Two or more siblings reduce the mother's share from 1/3 to 1/6
• Descendants reduce the spouse's share (husband: 1/2 → 1/4; wife: 1/4 → 1/8)
• Son or son's son blocks uterine siblings completely
• Father or grandfather blocks uterine siblings

This calculator shows all blocked heirs with the reason they are blocked.

Awl (increase) applies when the total of all fixed shares exceeds the whole estate (i.e., the fractions add up to more than 1).

When Awl occurs, each heir's share is reduced proportionally — the denominator of the fractions is increased so the shares add up correctly to the total estate.

Example: Husband (1/2) + Two full sisters (2/3). Total = 1/2 + 2/3 = 3/6 + 4/6 = 7/6 — which exceeds 1. Apply Awl: denominator becomes 7. Husband gets 3/7, sisters get 4/7. Total = 7/7 = 1.

Awl was first applied during the time of Caliph Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and it is the majority Sunni position.

Radd (return) applies when the total of all fixed shares is less than the whole estate and there is no eligible residuary heir (Asabah) to take the remainder.

In this case, the remaining estate is returned proportionally to the eligible fixed-share heirs. Spouses are generally excluded from Radd in the most common scholarly position, though some scholars include the spouse.

Example: Only a mother and one daughter. Mother has 1/6, daughter has 1/2 (= 3/6). Total = 4/6. Remaining 2/6 is returned to both in proportion to their original shares (1:3). Mother gets 1/4 of estate, daughter gets 3/4.

If the only surviving heir is a spouse, or if complex circumstances arise, consult a scholar.

Kalalah refers to the case where the deceased dies leaving no qualifying descendants (no son, no son's son reaching up) and no father or paternal grandfather. In this situation, siblings may inherit.

Uterine siblings (same mother only) in kalalah: one uterine sibling gets 1/6; two or more share 1/3 equally — male and female equal (this is one of the rare cases where male and female receive equal shares).

Full siblings in kalalah: a lone full sister gets 1/2; two or more full sisters share 2/3; full brothers and sisters together take the residue at 2:1. As residuary heirs, they take everything if no fixed-share heirs remain.

Kalalah cases can become complex quickly, especially when multiple types of siblings coexist. Always verify with a qualified scholar.

The Quran states (Surah An-Nisa 4:11, meaning): "For the male the equivalent of the share of two females." This rule is widely known but frequently misunderstood.

It applies in specific residuary (Asabah) situations:

• Sons and daughters inheriting together: sons get twice the daughters' share
• Full brother and full sister inheriting together as residuary
• Son's son and son's daughter inheriting together as residuary
• Paternal brother and paternal sister inheriting together as residuary

It does NOT apply universally:

• Uterine brothers and sisters always share equally (Quran 4:12)
• Fixed-share heirs (e.g., mother and father both getting 1/6 with children present) receive equal amounts
• Husband and wife shares are set separately by the Quran, not by the 2:1 rule

The 2:1 rule in residuary cases reflects the broader system of financial responsibility in Islamic law, where male heirs bear obligatory financial duties (mahr, maintenance) that female heirs do not.

A Wasiyyah is a bequest — instructions left by the deceased for the distribution of up to one-third of the net estate (after debts) to non-heirs.

Rules:

• Maximum one-third of the net estate without heir consent
• Cannot be made to a legal heir (son, daughter, parent, spouse) without the consent of all other adult heirs — this prevents a parent favouring one child over another
• If the bequest exceeds one-third, the excess is invalid unless all adult heirs agree
• The wasiyyah is executed after debts and funeral expenses, before Faraid distribution

This calculator will warn you if the entered Wasiyyah appears to exceed one-third of the net estate.

Before any inheritance distribution occurs:

• Outstanding Zakat: If the deceased had unpaid Zakat, it is considered a debt on the estate and must be paid before inheritance
• All debts: Financial debts to individuals, businesses, or institutions must be settled first
• Unpaid mahr (dower): If a husband had unpaid mahr to his wife, this is a debt that must be paid from the estate before distribution — the wife has a prior claim
• Kaffarah and vows: If the deceased had outstanding religious obligations with a financial remedy (kaffarah), scholars differ on whether these must be paid

Heirs who knowingly withhold a deceased person's debts from being paid before distribution are accountable Islamically. The estate is in a trust for these obligations first.

This is a general Sunni MVP calculator. The following cases are flagged but not fully calculated — they require direct consultation with a qualified scholar:

• Unborn child: The share must be held in abeyance until the child is born
• Missing person: Distribution may need to be delayed; complex rules apply
• Adopted children: In Sunni law, adoption does not create inheritance rights between adoptive parent and child. They are not Faraid heirs of each other.
• Stepchildren: Do not inherit by Faraid from stepparent unless by wasiyyah or other arrangement
• Difference of religion: A Muslim does not inherit from a non-Muslim and vice versa (majority view)
• Murder/disqualification: A person who intentionally causes the death of the testator is disqualified as heir in all major madhhabs
• Divorce scenarios: Revocable divorce — if death occurs during waiting period (iddah), spouse may still inherit. Irrevocable divorce — no inheritance.
• Multiple simultaneous deaths: If heirs die close together and the order of death is unknown, complex rules apply
• Intersex (classical Khuntha) cases: Classical Faraid has specific rules; this calculator does not handle them
• Rare madhhab differences: This calculator uses general majority Sunni principles. Specific Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, or Hanbali rulings may differ in edge cases
• Local national law: In many countries (Malaysia, UK, South Africa, etc.), a civil Probate or Administration process is also required alongside Islamic inheritance. The two systems may not always align perfectly. Local legal advice is essential.

Is this a fatwa?
No. This calculator is an educational tool. It is not a fatwa, religious ruling, or legal advice.

Can I use it for final estate distribution?
No. You must consult a qualified Islamic scholar and, where required by local law, a probate lawyer or court. This tool helps you understand and estimate — not formally distribute.

Does a wife always get 1/8?
A wife (or wives together) gets 1/8 only when the deceased husband left children or grandchildren. Without descendants, wives share 1/4. Multiple wives share the wives' total share equally among themselves.

Does a daughter always get half?
No. One daughter with no son gets 1/2. Two or more daughters with no son share 2/3. If sons exist, daughters become residuary and share with sons at 2:1.

Why does a male sometimes get twice a female's share?
In specific residuary (Asabah) cases, male heirs receive double — because in Islamic law, male heirs bear obligatory financial duties (mahr, maintenance of wife and children) that female heirs are not required to meet. It is a balance within a wider financial system, not a statement of lesser worth.

What if heirs disagree?
If heirs cannot agree, the matter goes to an Islamic scholar or court. Adult heirs may mutually agree to a different distribution (sulh/settlement), but no individual heir can be deprived of their Faraid share without their consent.

What if the deceased left a will?
A wasiyyah (Islamic will) is valid up to one-third of the net estate, to non-heirs only. A civil will that contradicts Faraid rights is not binding on Muslim heirs (from an Islamic perspective). Heirs may choose to honour it, but they are not obligated to.

Are adopted children heirs?
In Sunni Faraid, adopted children are not legal heirs of the adoptive parent. However, the adoptive parent may leave up to 1/3 of their estate to an adopted child via wasiyyah.

What if the estate includes property or a business?
Property and business assets are included in the gross estate. The estate is valued at the time of death. Physical assets may need to be sold or assigned fractionally. This is a practical matter beyond the calculator's scope.

What if I am in Malaysia, South Africa, the UK, or another country?
Each country has its own probate/administration law that may run alongside Islamic inheritance. In Malaysia, the Amanah Raya or Syariah Court may be involved. In the UK, a Grant of Probate is required. Always get local legal advice in addition to scholarly guidance.