Dividing a loved one's estate is one of the most emotional β and most disputed β 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.
Key fixed shares appear in Surah An-Nisa 4:11, 4:12 and 4:176. Applying those verses to a real family also involves eligibility, blocking, residuaries, juristic rules and sometimes national law. That is why a table or calculator is educational support, not a final ruling.
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 β 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 β like spouses and parents) and residuaries (asaba β 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 | With a male descendant; with only female descendants he may also take residue |
| Daughter (only one, no son) | 1/2 | β |
| 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 β PKR 1,000,000.
- Mother: there are children, so she receives 1/6 β PKR 1,333,333.
- Remaining for children: 8,000,000 β 1,000,000 β 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 β 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 β they are not the same.
- Ignoring an eligible daughter's right. A daughter is not excluded merely because a son is present; with sons, the children normally share the residue in the stated 2:1 ratio.
- 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
Pakistan's current official NADRA succession guidance describes Succession Certificates for movable property and Letters of Administration for immovable property. It also lists eligibility, documents and in-person steps, with province-specific handling. Requirements can change and disputed cases may need the appropriate legal forum, so use the current official instructions and a Pakistani lawyer rather than relying on this article.
If a son or daughter died before the person whose estate is being divided and left children, do not use the ordinary grandchild rows as a shortcut. Section 4 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961 contains a separate branch rule for Pakistan. The calculator deliberately stops this case for qualified legal and religious review.
Primary references and scope
- Qurβan 4:11, 4:12, and 4:176 for key fixed-share passages.
- Pakistan Code: Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961, especially Section 4 for a predeceased childβs branch.
- NADRA: current Succession Certificate and Letter of Administration guidance.
- National Commission on the Status of Women: inheritance research report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Try the free calculator
Open the Islamic Inheritance Calculator → β a quick, private estimate for simple cases.