Understanding Faraid: Quran 4:11-12 & 4:176 Explained for the Modern Family
The three inheritance verses in the Quran define almost every case that has ever come to a Muslim probate court. Here they are — with worked examples.
The three verses that define Muslim inheritance
Islamic inheritance law (Faraid) is derived almost entirely from three Quranic verses: Surah al-Nisa (4) verses 11, 12, and 176. Together they specify shares for spouses, children, parents, and siblings — the vast majority of realistic inheritance cases. When these verses do not cover a specific case, jurists apply the residuary system (asabah) derived from the Prophet's ﷺ practice.
Quran 4:11 — Children and parents
"Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are more than two females, for them is two-thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents alone inherit, then for the mother is one third. And if he had brothers, for the mother is a sixth."
Worked example — a father dies
A man dies leaving: wife, mother, father, two sons, one daughter, and estate of $600,000. (1) Wife gets 1/8 (there are children) = $75,000. (2) Mother gets 1/6 (there are children) = $100,000. (3) Father gets 1/6 = $100,000. (4) Remaining $325,000 divided among sons/daughter in ratio 2:2:1 = $130,000 per son and $65,000 to the daughter. Every share is fixed by the verse — no room for the executor's discretion.
Quran 4:12 — Spouses and siblings
"And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child. But if they have a child, for you is one fourth of what they leave, after any bequest they may have made or debt. And for the wives is one fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you may have made or debt."
The male-double-female share explained
The oft-quoted "male gets twice the female share" applies specifically between siblings in the same generation (i.e., a brother and sister inheriting from the same parent). The wisdom classically explained: (a) the male has legal obligation to fully maintain his wife and children; the female's inheritance is HER own personal property with no obligation to share; (b) in effect, the sister who receives half of her brother's share still has full economic security because her husband must maintain her. Contemporary scholars stress this must be understood in the FULL context of Islamic financial obligations — the male's "larger" share comes with corresponding financial duty.
Quran 4:176 — Kalala (deceased without direct heirs)
"They request from you a [legal] ruling. Say, Allah gives you a ruling concerning one having neither descendants nor ascendants [as heirs]. If a man dies, leaving no child but [only] a sister, she will have half of what he left. And he inherits from her if she [dies and] has no child. But if there are two sisters, they will have two-thirds of what he left. If there are both brothers and sisters, the male will have the share of two females."
Residuary heirs (asabah)
After the fixed-share heirs receive their portions, any residue passes to the asabah — typically the deceased's male paternal-line relatives (sons, brothers, paternal uncles). If no asabah exists, contemporary rulings often return the residue to the fixed-share heirs proportionally (radd). The Faraid calculator we provide handles all these cases automatically.
When Faraid gets complex
Real inheritance cases can involve dozens of heirs across generations, adoptive relationships, half-siblings, uterine vs consanguine siblings, awl (proportional reduction when fixed shares exceed 1) and radd (proportional expansion when they fall below 1). Rather than doing this by hand, use a deterministic calculator that has been reviewed by qualified scholars — the same math has been done millions of times over 1,400 years.
FAQ
Why does a son get twice a daughter's share?
Because Islamic law obliges the male to fully maintain his wife, children, and unmarried female relatives — a legal financial duty women do not have. The "larger share" comes with a "larger obligation". A daughter's inheritance is her personal property with no maintenance duty attached.
Does a spouse always get 1/8?
Only if there are children. If there are no children, the wife gets 1/4 (Q 4:12). A husband's share is 1/4 (with children) or 1/2 (without children).
What is kalala?
A person who dies without descendants (children, grandchildren) and without ascendants (parents, grandparents). Verse 4:176 specifically addresses this case, giving inheritance rights to siblings.
What happens to adopted children?
Islamic law does not recognise adoption as creating blood-relation. Adopted children are not Quranic heirs. Use the Wasiyyah 1/3 to provide for them, or gift assets during lifetime.
Can I disinherit my daughter to give more to my son?
No. Faraid shares are mandatory. Any attempt to disinherit a Quranic heir by will is invalidated by court (or ignored by scholars). Both son and daughter receive their fixed Quranic shares — you cannot override this.