A wife or mother dies
A Muslim woman dies with no children or parents, leaving a husband and two full sisters. Who inherits what?
Surviving relatives in this case: husband, full sister 1, full sister 2. The shares below are of the net estate, meaning what is left after funeral expenses, outstanding debts, and any valid bequest (wasiyyah) of up to one-third have been settled.
The shares
Shown first under Hanafi law, followed by most Muslims in India.
Sunni (Hanafi)
'Awl applied| Heir | Share | Of estate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HusbandSpouse | 1/23/7 | 42.8571% | Quran 4:12 |
| Full sister 1Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
| Full sister 2Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
The fixed Quranic shares in this family add up to more than the whole estate, so every reduced share was scaled down proportionally ('awl). The original and final fractions are both shown.
Where the schools differ
Wasiyat applies your chosen school in full; it never blends them.
Sunni (Shafi'i)
'Awl applied| Heir | Share | Of estate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HusbandSpouse | 1/23/7 | 42.8571% | Quran 4:12 |
| Full sister 1Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
| Full sister 2Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
The fixed Quranic shares in this family add up to more than the whole estate, so every reduced share was scaled down proportionally ('awl). The original and final fractions are both shown.
Sunni (Maliki)
'Awl applied| Heir | Share | Of estate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HusbandSpouse | 1/23/7 | 42.8571% | Quran 4:12 |
| Full sister 1Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
| Full sister 2Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
The fixed Quranic shares in this family add up to more than the whole estate, so every reduced share was scaled down proportionally ('awl). The original and final fractions are both shown.
Sunni (Hanbali)
'Awl applied| Heir | Share | Of estate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HusbandSpouse | 1/23/7 | 42.8571% | Quran 4:12 |
| Full sister 1Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
| Full sister 2Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
The fixed Quranic shares in this family add up to more than the whole estate, so every reduced share was scaled down proportionally ('awl). The original and final fractions are both shown.
Shia (Ja'fari / Twelver)
Deficit borne by daughters/sisters| Heir | Share | Of estate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HusbandSpouse | 1/2 | 50.0000% | Quran 4:12 |
| Full sister 1Sibling | 1/31/4 | 25.0000% | Quran 4:176 |
| Full sister 2Sibling | 1/31/4 | 25.0000% | Quran 4:176 |
The fixed Quranic shares in this family add up to more than the whole estate. Ja'fari law does not apply 'awl: the spouse and parents keep their full shares and the shortfall is absorbed only by the daughters or sisters. The original and final fractions are both shown.
Ahle Hadees / Salafi
'Awl applied| Heir | Share | Of estate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HusbandSpouse | 1/23/7 | 42.8571% | Quran 4:12 |
| Full sister 1Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
| Full sister 2Sibling | 1/32/7 | 28.5714% | Quran 4:176 |
The fixed Quranic shares in this family add up to more than the whole estate, so every reduced share was scaled down proportionally ('awl). The original and final fractions are both shown.
Educational information, not a ruling. These shares are computed for the exact family shape described above and assume every listed relative is a Muslim, alive at the time of death, and not excluded for any other reason. Real estates involve debts, bequests, joint property and facts that change the answer. Wasiyat does not issue fatwas or legal advice; for a binding decision consult a qualified scholar and, in India, a lawyer familiar with the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. See our full disclaimer.
Calculate it for your own family
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