The Glorious Qur’an contains specific and detailed guidance regarding the division of the inherited wealth, among the rightful beneficiaries.
The Qur’anic verses that contain guidance regarding inheritance are:
- Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 180
- Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 240
- Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 7-9
- Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 19
- Surah Nisa, chapter 4 verse 33 and
- Surah Maidah, chapter 5 verse 106-108
There are three verses in the Qur’an that broadly describe the share of close relatives i.e. Surah Nisah chapter 4 verses 11, 12 and 176.
The translation of these verses are as follows:
"Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females, if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; If only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; If no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. In what your wives leave, your share is half. If they leave no child; but if they leave a child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eight; after payment of legacies and debts.
If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to anyone). Thus it is ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing Most Forbearing" [Al-Qur’an 4:11-12]
"They ask thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs (them) about those who leave no descendants or ascendants as heirs. If it is a man that dies, leaving a sister but no child, she shall have half the inheritance. If (such a deceased was) a woman who left no child, Her brother takes her inheritance. If there are two sisters, they shall have two thirds of the inheritance (between them). If there are brothers and sisters, (they share), the male having twice the share of the female. Thus doth Allah (swt) makes clear to you (His knowledge of all things). [Al-Qur’an 4:176]
In most of the cases, a woman inherits half of what her male counterpart inherits. However, this is not always the case. In case the deceased has left no ascendant or descendent but has left the uterine brother and sister, each of the two inherit one sixth. If the deceased has left children, both the parents that is mother and father get an equal share and inherit one sixth each.
In certain cases, a woman can also inherit a share that is double that of the male. If the deceased is a woman who has left no children, brothers or sisters and is survived only by her husband, mother and father, the husband inherits half the property while the mother inherits one third and the father the remaining one sixth. In this particular case, the mother inherits a share that is double that of the father.
It is true that as a general rule, in most cases, the female inherits a share that is half that of the male. For instance in the following cases:
1. daughter inherits half of what the son inherits, 2. wife inherits 1/8th and husband 1/4th if the deceased has no children. 3. Wife inherits 1/4th and husband 1/2 if the deceased has children 4. If the deceased has no ascendant or descendent, the sister inherits a share that is half that of the brother.
In Islam a woman has no financial obligation and the economical responsibility lies on the shoulders of the man. Before a woman is married it is the duty of the father or brother to look after the lodging, boarding, clothing and other financial requirements of the woman. After she is married it is the duty of the husband or the son. Islam holds the man financially responsible for fulfilling the needs of his family.
In order to do be able to fulfill the responsibility the men get double the share of the inheritance. For example, if a man dies leaving about Rupeess. One Hundred and Fifty Thousand, for the children (i.e one son and one daughter) the son inherits One Hundred Thousand rupees and the daughter only Fifty Thousand rupees. Out of the one hundred thousand which the son inherits, as his duty towards his family, he may have to spend on them almost the entire amount or say about eighty thousand and thus he has a small percentage of inheritance, say about twenty thousand, left for himself. On the other hand, the daughter, who inherits fifty thousand is not bound to spend a single penny on anybody. She can keep the entire amount for herself.
Would you prefer inheriting one hundred thousand rupees and spending eighty thousand from it, or inheriting fifty thousand rupees and having the entire amount to yourself?
Comments
Having a look at the website statistics, this is one of the more searched or articles that were missing from the new site (well, "new" since around 6 years ago!)
I am not sure who this response/article was originally by.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Back then a woman had no financial obligation and all the economic responsibility lied on the shoulders of the man. But now times have changed and a women has as much capability and responsibility as a man. So why do we still follow this rule? Should we not be progressing with the times? Why should the full responsibility be put on the man, when in this day and age a women and a man are both capable to take the responsibility financially?
Times have changed only because peoples priorities have changed i.e less focus on Islam and the hereafter and more focus on the duniya. I am sure that most women out there would love for a man to work and take care of everything financially so she can focus on nurturing and making the house which the husband provides, a home.
But these days its all 50/50 – this is unislamic. Why is it 50/50? Because people want more. They want bigger homes, flasher cars, just to fit in with society around them. Then there is the trust issue – many women work and compete with men (i.e. Their husbands) in case of the failure of the relationship.
I am in the west, born and raised. So is my wife. I am the sole provider and we live according to MY means. She is happy with that and enjoys her time at home. She has a university degree, has had work experience, and works and studies part time to keep her mind stimulated. What she does with her money is her business. If she wants luxuries that I cannot provide, that's what her money is for. These are discussions we had prior to getting married.
So basically to answer your questions you need to get back to the fundamental teachings of Islam and understand the gender roles. While men and women must be treated equally, their roles are not identical.
Hope this helps sis.