How it works
The Islamic law of succession (Ilm al-Faraid) establishes fixed mathematical fractions in the Quran and Sunnah so that family wealth is distributed justly and transparently without arbitrary disinheritance. This calculator implements the complete classical Faraid engine for immediate family heirs—handling funeral and debt deductions, the one-third bequest cap, Quranic fixed shares, residuary distribution (Ta’sib), proportional reduction (Awl), proportional return (Radd), and the two Umariyyatan cases.
Order of Rights Deducted Before Estate Division
- Funeral & Burial Expenses: Reasonable costs of preparing and shrouding the deceased.
- Debts Owed by the Deceased: Both financial debts to individuals/institutions and unpaid obligatory duties (such as accrued Zakat), which must be settled before any bequest or inheritance.
- Valid Bequest (Wasiyyah): Enforceable up to a maximum of one-third (1/3) of the net estate remaining after debts, and only for non-heirs unless the adult heirs consent.
- Sharia Inheritance Distribution: The remaining net estate is divided first among fixed-share heirs (Ashab al-Furud) and then among residuary heirs (Asabah).
Summary of Quranic Fixed & Residuary Shares (Surah An-Nisa 11–12)
| Heir | With Descendants (Son or Daughter) | Without Descendants |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/4 (25%) of net estate | 1/2 (50%) of net estate |
| Wife (1 to 4 Wives Share Equally) | 1/8 (12.5%) of net estate | 1/4 (25%) of net estate |
| Father | 1/6 fixed (plus residue if only daughters) | Full residue after spouse and mother |
| Mother | 1/6 (16.67%) of net estate | 1/3 of net estate (or 1/3 of remainder after spouse in Umariyyatan) |
| Sons & Daughters Together | Residue in 2:1 ratio (male = 2 × female) | — |
| Daughters Only (No Sons) | 1 daughter = 1/2; 2 or more daughters = 2/3 shared equally | — |
A deceased leaves a gross estate of 240,000 with no debts or bequests, survived by a wife, father, mother, one son, and one daughter:
- Wife’s Share (1/8 due to children): 240,000 × (1/8) = 30,000.00.
- Father’s Share (1/6 due to male descendant): 240,000 × (1/6) = 40,000.00.
- Mother’s Share (1/6 due to descendants): 240,000 × (1/6) = 40,000.00.
- Remaining Residue for Children: 240,000 − (30,000 + 40,000 + 40,000) = 130,000.00 (divided into 3 parts: 2 for the son, 1 for the daughter).
- Son’s Share (2/3 of residue): 86,666.67.
- Daughter’s Share (1/3 of residue): 43,333.33.
What Are Awl, Radd, and Al-Umariyyatan?
Awl (Proportional Reduction): Occurs when the sum of fixed Quranic fractions exceeds 100% of the estate (e.g., a husband taking 1/2, two daughters taking 2/3, and parents taking 2/6 = 15/12); the denominator is raised to 15 so every heir’s share is reduced proportionally.
Radd (Proportional Return): Occurs when fixed shares total less than 100% and there is no residuary heir (such as a father or son); the surplus is returned proportionally to the non-spouse fixed-share heirs.
Al-Umariyyatan: When the deceased leaves only a spouse, a father, and a mother (no children), the spouse takes their fixed share first, the mother takes 1/3 of the remaining balance, and the father takes the rest (2/3 of the remainder) so the father receives twice the mother’s share.
Calculate unpaid annual Zakat obligations before dividing the estate with the /en/zakat-calculator and /en/gold-zakat-calculator, and estimate property transfer exemptions using the /en/real-estate-tax-calculator.