Dividing a loved one's estate is one of the most emotional — and most disputed — moments a family faces. Islam removes the guesswork by fixing exact shares for each heir in the Quran. This system is called faraid (the law of fixed shares), and the distribution itself is often called warasat or wirasat. This guide walks through how it actually works, with clear tables and an example you can follow.
The shares come straight from the Quran, mainly Surah An-Nisa, verses 11–12 and verse 176, supported by the Sunnah and the consensus (ijma) of scholars. Because the numbers are revealed, they are not a matter of personal opinion for the common cases — which is exactly why a careful, accurate calculation matters.
The 4 steps before anyone inherits
Before a single rupee is divided among heirs, four things are settled from the estate in this order:
| Step | What is paid |
|---|---|
| 1. Funeral costs | Reasonable burial and funeral expenses of the deceased. |
| 2. Debts | All outstanding debts — loans, unpaid bills, dues to people. |
| 3. Bequest (wasiyyah) | Any valid will, up to a maximum of one-third of what remains, and only to non-heirs (unless heirs consent). |
| 4. Distribution | Everything left is divided among the fixed heirs by their Quranic shares. |
Each heir's fixed share
Heirs fall into two groups: those with a fixed share (ashab al-furud — like spouses and parents) and residuaries (asaba — like sons, who take whatever remains). Here are the most common fixed shares:
| Heir | Share | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/2 | If the wife left no children/grandchildren |
| Husband | 1/4 | If she left children/grandchildren |
| Wife (one or more, shared) | 1/4 | If the husband left no children/grandchildren |
| Wife (one or more, shared) | 1/8 | If he left children/grandchildren |
| Mother | 1/6 | If there are children, or two+ siblings |
| Mother | 1/3 | If there are no children and not two+ siblings |
| Father | 1/6 | Plus any residue, when there are children |
| Daughter (only one, no son) | 1/2 | — |
| Daughters (two+, no son) | 2/3 | Shared equally between them |
| Son(s) | Residue | Takes what remains; with daughters, 2:1 |
Why a son receives double a daughter's share
The Quran states: "Allah commands you regarding your children: for the male a share equal to that of two females" (An-Nisa 4:11). This is often misunderstood as inequality. In Islamic law, however, a man is financially responsible for his wife, children, and dependents, and must pay mahr on marriage. A woman's inheritance and earnings are entirely her own, with no obligation to spend them on the household. The 2:1 share reflects this difference in financial responsibility, not a difference in worth.
A worked example
Suppose a man passes away leaving an estate of PKR 8,000,000 (after funeral costs, debts, and any valid bequest are already settled). He is survived by a wife, his mother, two sons, and one daughter.
- Wife: there are children, so she receives 1/8 → PKR 1,000,000.
- Mother: there are children, so she receives 1/6 → PKR 1,333,333.
- Remaining for children: 8,000,000 − 1,000,000 − 1,333,333 = PKR 5,666,667.
- Children split 2:1. Two sons + one daughter = 2+2+1 = 5 parts. Each part = 1,133,333. So each son gets 2,266,667 and the daughter gets 1,133,333.
That is the essence of a faraid calculation: fixed-share heirs first, then the residue to the residuaries.
Common mistakes families make
- Dividing before paying debts. Debts and a valid will come out first — never split the gross estate.
- Confusing the wife's and mother's shares. With children, the wife gets 1/8 and the mother gets 1/6 — they are not the same.
- Ignoring a daughter's right. Daughters always inherit; they are never cut out, even when sons are present.
- Willing more than one-third, or willing to an existing heir without the others' consent.
- Verbal-only division. Put the agreed distribution in writing and keep clean document copies.
Using the free Islamic Inheritance Calculator
To get a quick estimate, open the Islamic Inheritance Calculator. Enter the total estate value and the surviving heirs, and it works out an indicative share for each person. It is a helpful starting point for simple family situations.
Once your distribution is agreed, you will often need clean PDF copies of supporting papers. You can scan documents to PDF, turn photos into a PDF, or merge several documents into one file for the record.
The legal side in Pakistan
In Pakistan, Islamic inheritance for Muslims is recognised under the law, but transferring assets still requires formal steps. Heirs typically obtain a succession certificate (for movable assets and bank balances) or a letter of administration from the relevant court or, in many cases now, through NADRA's succession facilitation process, which issues a list of legal heirs. Property mutation (intiqal) is then recorded with the local land authority. A lawyer can guide you through the exact documents — CNIC copies, death certificate, and proof of relationship — most of which you will submit as PDFs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try the free calculator
Open the Islamic Inheritance Calculator → — a quick, private estimate for simple cases.