Surah An-Nisaa 4:11
The Womenسُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ- Surah 4
- Ayah 11
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The rules of Islamic inheritance come from the Quran and the Sunnah. Here are the verses of the Quran on inheritance and bequests in the original Arabic with translation, followed by authentic hadith on how the Prophet ﷺ applied them.
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The Quran
Grouped by theme. Each verse shows its surah, ayah, juz and page in the standard Madinah mushaf.
The Sunnah
Narrations from the standard collections showing how the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions applied the verses. Each shows its collection, number, narrator and grading.
Fixed shares first, then the residue
Book of the Laws of Inheritance (Kitab al-Fara'id) · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَلْحِقُوا الْفَرَائِضَ بِأَهْلِهَا، فَمَا بَقِيَ فَهْوَ لأَوْلَى رَجُلٍ ذَكَرٍ ".
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Give the fixed shares to those entitled to them. Whatever remains is for the nearest male relative."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
A daughter, a son's daughter and a sister
Book of the Laws of Inheritance (Kitab al-Fara'id) · Narrated by Huzayl ibn Shurahbil
About these sources
mWill calculates each heir's share as an exact fraction, for you and a scholar to review.
يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۚ فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءًۭ فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ ۖ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْفُ ۚ وَلِأَبَوَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍۢ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ إِن كَانَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ ۚ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ وَوَرِثَهُۥٓ أَبَوَاهُ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلثُّلُثُ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُۥٓ إِخْوَةٌۭ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلسُّدُسُ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍۢ يُوصِى بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ۗ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًۭا ۚ فَرِيضَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا﴿١١﴾
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 ('s) 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, Al-wise.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Shares of children and parents. A son receives the share of two daughters. Distribution comes after any bequest and debts.
۞ وَلَكُمْ نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ أَزْوَٰجُكُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُنَّ وَلَدٌۭ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُنَّ وَلَدٌۭ فَلَكُمُ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْنَ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍۢ يُوصِينَ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍۢ ۚ وَلَهُنَّ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّكُمْ وَلَدٌۭ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ وَلَدٌۭ فَلَهُنَّ ٱلثُّمُنُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُم ۚ مِّنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍۢ تُوصُونَ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍۢ ۗ وَإِن كَانَ رَجُلٌۭ يُورَثُ كَلَٰلَةً أَوِ ٱمْرَأَةٌۭ وَلَهُۥٓ أَخٌ أَوْ أُخْتٌۭ فَلِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍۢ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ ۚ فَإِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ فَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فِى ٱلثُّلُثِ ۚ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍۢ يُوصَىٰ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ غَيْرَ مُضَآرٍّۢ ۚ وَصِيَّةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَلِيمٌۭ﴿١٢﴾
In what your wives leave, your share is a 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 eighth; 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 any one). Thus is it ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-knowing, Most Forbearing.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Shares of husbands and wives, and of maternal siblings where there is no parent or child (kalalah).
يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِى ٱلْكَلَٰلَةِ ۚ إِنِ ٱمْرُؤٌا۟ هَلَكَ لَيْسَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌۭ وَلَهُۥٓ أُخْتٌۭ فَلَهَا نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ ۚ وَهُوَ يَرِثُهَآ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهَا وَلَدٌۭ ۚ فَإِن كَانَتَا ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُمَا ٱلثُّلُثَانِ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ۚ وَإِن كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَةًۭ رِّجَالًۭا وَنِسَآءًۭ فَلِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ ۗ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ أَن تَضِلُّوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ﴿١٧٦﴾
They ask thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs (thus) 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 make clear to you (His law), lest ye err. And Allah hath knowledge of all things.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Shares of full and paternal siblings when there is no parent or child (kalalah). Among the last verses revealed.
Men and women both inherit, relatives and orphans present at the division are to be treated kindly, and taking inheritance unjustly is condemned.
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًۭا مَّفْرُوضًۭا﴿٧﴾
From what is left by parents and those nearest related there is a share for men and a share for women, whether the property be small or large,-a determinate share.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Establishes that both men and women have a share in what parents and close relatives leave.
وَإِذَا حَضَرَ ٱلْقِسْمَةَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينُ فَٱرْزُقُوهُم مِّنْهُ وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًۭا مَّعْرُوفًۭا﴿٨﴾
But if at the time of division other relatives, or orphans or poor, are present, feed them out of the (property), and speak to them words of kindness and justice.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Relatives, orphans and the needy present at the division should be given something and spoken to kindly.
وَلْيَخْشَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا۟ مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةًۭ ضِعَٰفًا خَافُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلْيَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًۭا سَدِيدًا﴿٩﴾
Let those (disposing of an estate) have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own if they had left a helpless family behind: Let them fear Allah, and speak words of appropriate (comfort).
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Those involved in an estate should fear for others' children as they would for their own.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ ظُلْمًا إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُونَ فِى بُطُونِهِمْ نَارًۭا ۖ وَسَيَصْلَوْنَ سَعِيرًۭا﴿١٠﴾
Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies: They will soon be enduring a Blazing Fire!
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
A severe warning against unjustly consuming the property of orphans.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ كَرْهًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا۟ بِبَعْضِ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَٰحِشَةٍۢ مُّبَيِّنَةٍۢ ۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا﴿١٩﴾
O ye who believe! Ye are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should ye treat them with harshness, that ye may Take away part of the dower ye have given them,-except where they have been guilty of open lewdness; on the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If ye take a dislike to them it may be that ye dislike a thing, and Allah brings about through it a great deal of good.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Forbids treating women as property to be inherited against their will.
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا۟ مَا فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِۦ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا ٱكْتَسَبُوا۟ ۖ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا ٱكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَسْـَٔلُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مِن فَضْلِهِۦٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا﴿٣٢﴾
And in no wise covet those things in which Allah Hath bestowed His gifts More freely on some of you than on others: To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of His bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge of all things.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Do not covet what Allah has given others. Many commentators relate it to the differing shares of men and women.
وَلِكُلٍّۢ جَعَلْنَا مَوَٰلِىَ مِمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ فَـَٔاتُوهُمْ نَصِيبَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ شَهِيدًا﴿٣٣﴾
To (benefit) every one, We have appointed shares and heirs to property left by parents and relatives. To those, also, to whom your right hand was pledged, give their due portion. For truly Allah is witness to all things.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Heirs have been appointed for what parents and relatives leave.
وَتَأْكُلُونَ ٱلتُّرَاثَ أَكْلًۭا لَّمًّۭا﴿١٩﴾
And ye devour inheritance - all with greed,
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Condemns greedily consuming inheritance.
The verses that close the rulings on shares, promising reward for keeping them and warning against transgressing them.
تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ﴿١٣﴾
Those are limits set by Allah: those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the supreme achievement.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
These rulings are the limits of Allah, with the promise of Paradise for obedience.
وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَٰلِدًۭا فِيهَا وَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ﴿١٤﴾
But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be admitted to a Fire, to abide therein: And they shall have a humiliating punishment.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
A warning for those who transgress these limits.
Verses on making a bequest (wasiyyah), not altering it, putting right an unjust one, and having it witnessed.
كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ إِن تَرَكَ خَيْرًا ٱلْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۖ حَقًّا عَلَى ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ﴿١٨٠﴾
It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leave any goods that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the Allah-fearing.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Prescribes a bequest to parents and relatives. Most scholars hold that the fixed shares of 4:11 to 4:12 and the hadith "no bequest for an heir" replaced this obligation for heirs.
فَمَنۢ بَدَّلَهُۥ بَعْدَمَا سَمِعَهُۥ فَإِنَّمَآ إِثْمُهُۥ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَدِّلُونَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ﴿١٨١﴾
If anyone changes the bequest after hearing it, the guilt shall be on those who make the change. For Allah hears and knows (All things).
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Whoever changes a bequest after hearing it bears the sin.
فَمَنْ خَافَ مِن مُّوصٍۢ جَنَفًا أَوْ إِثْمًۭا فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَهُمْ فَلَآ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ﴿١٨٢﴾
But if anyone fears partiality or wrong-doing on the part of the testator, and makes peace between (The parties concerned), there is no wrong in him: For Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
It is not a sin to put right a bequest that is unjust or mistaken, to reconcile the parties.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوْنَ مِنكُمْ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزْوَٰجًۭا وَصِيَّةًۭ لِّأَزْوَٰجِهِم مَّتَٰعًا إِلَى ٱلْحَوْلِ غَيْرَ إِخْرَاجٍۢ ۚ فَإِنْ خَرَجْنَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِى مَا فَعَلْنَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ مِن مَّعْرُوفٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌۭ﴿٢٤٠﴾
Those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year's maintenance and residence; but if they leave (The residence), there is no blame on you for what they do with themselves, provided it is reasonable. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Provision for widows for a year. Most scholars hold that 2:234 and the widow's share in 4:12 superseded this.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ شَهَٰدَةُ بَيْنِكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ حِينَ ٱلْوَصِيَّةِ ٱثْنَانِ ذَوَا عَدْلٍۢ مِّنكُمْ أَوْ ءَاخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ إِنْ أَنتُمْ ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَأَصَٰبَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۚ تَحْبِسُونَهُمَا مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ إِنِ ٱرْتَبْتُمْ لَا نَشْتَرِى بِهِۦ ثَمَنًۭا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىٰ ۙ وَلَا نَكْتُمُ شَهَٰدَةَ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلْءَاثِمِينَ﴿١٠٦﴾
O ye who believe! When death approaches any of you, (take) witnesses among yourselves when making bequests,- two just men of your own (brotherhood) or others from outside if ye are journeying through the earth, and the chance of death befalls you (thus). If ye doubt (their truth), detain them both after prayer, and let them both swear by Allah: "We wish not in this for any worldly gain, even though the (beneficiary) be our near relation: we shall hide not the evidence before Allah: if we do, then behold! the sin be upon us!"
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
When death approaches, take two just witnesses to a bequest.
فَإِنْ عُثِرَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنَّهُمَا ٱسْتَحَقَّآ إِثْمًۭا فَـَٔاخَرَانِ يَقُومَانِ مَقَامَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَوْلَيَٰنِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ لَشَهَٰدَتُنَآ أَحَقُّ مِن شَهَٰدَتِهِمَا وَمَا ٱعْتَدَيْنَآ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ﴿١٠٧﴾
But if it gets known that these two were guilty of the sin (of perjury), let two others stand forth in their places,- nearest in kin from among those who claim a lawful right: let them swear by Allah: "We affirm that our witness is truer than that of those two, and that we have not trespassed (beyond the truth): if we did, behold! the wrong be upon us!"
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
What is done if the witnesses are found to have been untruthful.
ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهَآ أَوْ يَخَافُوٓا۟ أَن تُرَدَّ أَيْمَٰنٌۢ بَعْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْفَٰسِقِينَ﴿١٠٨﴾
That is most suitable: that they may give the evidence in its true nature and shape, or else they would fear that other oaths would be taken after their oaths. But fear Allah, and listen (to His counsel): for Allah guideth not a rebellious people:
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
This procedure makes true testimony more likely.
Verses establishing that relatives by blood are nearer to one another in the Book of Allah.
وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُوا۟ وَجَٰهَدُوا۟ مَعَكُمْ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍۢ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۢ﴿٧٥﴾
And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company,- they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah. Verily Allah is well-acquainted with all things.
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Blood relatives are nearer to one another in the Book of Allah.
ٱلنَّبِىُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُۥٓ أُمَّهَٰتُهُمْ ۗ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَرْحَامِ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِبَعْضٍۢ فِى كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُهَٰجِرِينَ إِلَّآ أَن تَفْعَلُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَوْلِيَآئِكُم مَّعْرُوفًۭا ۚ كَانَ ذَٰلِكَ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَسْطُورًۭا﴿٦﴾
The Prophet is closer to the Believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. Blood-relations among each other have closer personal ties, in the Decree of Allah. Than (the Brotherhood of) Believers and Muhajirs: nevertheless do ye what is just to your closest friends: such is the writing in the Decree (of Allah).
Translation: Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Blood relatives are nearer to one another than other believers, except for kindness you do to your allies.
حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو قَيْسٍ، سَمِعْتُ هُزَيْلَ بْنَ شُرَحْبِيلَ، قَالَ سُئِلَ أَبُو مُوسَى عَنِ ابْنَةٍ وَابْنَةِ ابْنٍ وَأُخْتٍ، فَقَالَ لِلاِبْنَةِ النِّصْفُ وَلِلأُخْتِ النِّصْفُ، وَأْتِ ابْنَ مَسْعُودٍ فَسَيُتَابِعُنِي. فَسُئِلَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ وَأُخْبِرَ بِقَوْلِ أَبِي مُوسَى، فَقَالَ لَقَدْ ضَلَلْتُ إِذًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ،، أَقْضِي فِيهَا بِمَا قَضَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لِلاِبْنَةِ النِّصْفُ، وَلاِبْنَةِ ابْنٍ السُّدُسُ تَكْمِلَةَ الثُّلُثَيْنِ، وَمَا بَقِيَ فَلِلأُخْتِ ". فَأَتَيْنَا أَبَا مُوسَى فَأَخْبَرْنَاهُ بِقَوْلِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، فَقَالَ لاَ تَسْأَلُونِي مَا دَامَ هَذَا الْحَبْرُ فِيكُمْ.
Abu Musa was asked about a daughter, a son's daughter and a sister. He said: "The daughter gets half and the sister gets half. Go to Ibn Mas'ud, and he will agree with me." Ibn Mas'ud was asked and told what Abu Musa had said. He said: "Then I would have gone astray and would not be among the rightly guided. I will judge in it as the Prophet ﷺ judged: the daughter gets half, the son's daughter gets one-sixth to complete two-thirds, and what remains is for the sister." We went to Abu Musa and told him what Ibn Mas'ud had said, and he said: "Do not ask me while this learned man is among you."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
Difference of religion
Book of the Laws of Inheritance (Kitab al-Fara'id) · Narrated by Usamah ibn Zayd
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حُسَيْنٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ يَرِثُ الْمُسْلِمُ الْكَافِرَ، وَلاَ الْكَافِرُ الْمُسْلِمَ ".
The Prophet ﷺ said: "A Muslim does not inherit from a disbeliever, and a disbeliever does not inherit from a Muslim."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
The killer does not inherit
Book of Blood Money (Kitab al-Diyat) · Narrated by Abu Hurayrah
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ الْمِصْرِيُّ، أَنْبَأَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ أَبِي فَرْوَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْقَاتِلُ لاَ يَرِثُ " .
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "The killer does not inherit."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
Also recorded in Jami' al-Tirmidhi 2109, where al-Tirmidhi comments on the chain and notes that scholars act upon it. Al-Albani graded it sahih.
No bequest for an heir
Book of Wills (Kitab al-Wasaya) · Narrated by Abu Umamah al-Bahili
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ بْنُ نَجْدَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ شُرَحْبِيلَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، سَمِعْتُ أَبَا أُمَامَةَ، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَعْطَى كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ فَلاَ وَصِيَّةَ لِوَارِثٍ " .
I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: "Allah has given everyone who has a right their right, so there is no bequest for an heir."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
Also in Jami' al-Tirmidhi 2120 and Sunan Ibn Majah 2713, where it is part of the sermon of the Farewell Pilgrimage.
A bequest of up to one-third
Book of Wills and Testaments (Kitab al-Wasaya) · Narrated by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ جَاءَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعُودُنِي وَأَنَا بِمَكَّةَ، وَهْوَ يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالأَرْضِ الَّتِي هَاجَرَ مِنْهَا قَالَ " يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ ابْنَ عَفْرَاءَ ". قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أُوصِي بِمَالِي كُلِّهِ قَالَ " لاَ ". قُلْتُ فَالشَّطْرُ قَالَ " لاَ ". قُلْتُ الثُّلُثُ. قَالَ " فَالثُّلُثُ، وَالثُّلُثُ كَثِيرٌ، إِنَّكَ أَنْ تَدَعَ وَرَثَتَكَ أَغْنِيَاءَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَنْ تَدَعَهُمْ عَالَةً يَتَكَفَّفُونَ النَّاسَ فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ، وَإِنَّكَ مَهْمَا أَنْفَقْتَ مِنْ نَفَقَةٍ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ، حَتَّى اللُّقْمَةُ الَّتِي تَرْفَعُهَا إِلَى فِي امْرَأَتِكَ، وَعَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَرْفَعَكَ فَيَنْتَفِعَ بِكَ نَاسٌ وَيُضَرَّ بِكَ آخَرُونَ ". وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ يَوْمَئِذٍ إِلاَّ ابْنَةٌ.
The Prophet ﷺ came to visit me while I was in Makkah, and he disliked dying in the land from which one had emigrated. He said: "May Allah have mercy on Ibn 'Afra'." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, may I bequeath all my wealth?" He said: "No." I said: "Half?" He said: "No." I said: "A third?" He said: "A third, and a third is a lot. It is better to leave your heirs wealthy than to leave them dependent, asking people for help. Whatever you spend is charity, even the morsel you raise to your wife's mouth. Perhaps Allah will raise you up, so that some people benefit through you and others are harmed." At that time he had only one daughter.
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
Keeping a written will
Book of Wills and Testaments (Kitab al-Wasaya) · Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا حَقُّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ لَهُ شَىْءٌ، يُوصِي فِيهِ يَبِيتُ لَيْلَتَيْنِ، إِلاَّ وَوَصِيَّتُهُ مَكْتُوبَةٌ عِنْدَهُ ". تَابَعَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ عَمْرٍو عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "It is not right for a Muslim who has something to bequeath to spend two nights without having his will written down with him."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
The occasion of the verse of inheritance
Chapters on Inheritance · Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، قال حَدَّثَنِي زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ عَدِيٍّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ جَاءَتِ امْرَأَةُ سَعْدِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ بِابْنَتَيْهَا مِنْ سَعْدٍ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَاتَانِ ابْنَتَا سَعْدِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ قُتِلَ أَبُوهُمَا مَعَكَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ شَهِيدًا وَإِنَّ عَمَّهُمَا أَخَذَ مَالَهُمَا فَلَمْ يَدَعْ لَهُمَا مَالاً وَلاَ تُنْكَحَانِ إِلاَّ وَلَهُمَا مَالٌ . قَالَ " يَقْضِي اللَّهُ فِي ذَلِكَ " . فَنَزَلَتْ آيَةُ الْمِيرَاثِ فَبَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى عَمِّهِمَا فَقَالَ " أَعْطِ ابْنَتَىْ سَعْدٍ الثُّلُثَيْنِ وَأَعْطِ أُمَّهُمَا الثُّمُنَ وَمَا بَقِيَ فَهُوَ لَكَ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ وَقَدْ رَوَاهُ شَرِيكٌ أَيْضًا عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ .
The wife of Sa'd ibn al-Rabi' came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with her two daughters by Sa'd. She said: "O Messenger of Allah, these are the two daughters of Sa'd ibn al-Rabi'. Their father was killed as a martyr with you at Uhud. Their uncle has taken their wealth and left them nothing, and they will not be married unless they have wealth." He said: "Allah will decide about this." Then the verse of inheritance was revealed, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent for their uncle and said: "Give the two daughters of Sa'd two-thirds, give their mother one-eighth, and what remains is yours."
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
Also in Sunan Abi Dawud 2891. Scholars differ on the grading of this narration, as shown.
Revelation of the verse on sisters
Book of the Laws of Inheritance (Kitab al-Fara'id) · Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرًا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَنَا مَرِيضٌ، فَدَعَا بِوَضُوءٍ فَتَوَضَّأَ، ثُمَّ نَضَحَ عَلَىَّ مِنْ وَضُوئِهِ فَأَفَقْتُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا لِي أَخَوَاتٌ. فَنَزَلَتْ آيَةُ الْفَرَائِضِ.
The Prophet ﷺ came to see me while I was ill. He called for water, performed ablution and sprinkled some of the water on me, and I came to. I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have only sisters." Then the verse of inheritance was revealed.
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
The last verse revealed
Book of Commentary (Kitab al-Tafsir) · Narrated by Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib
حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، سَمِعْتُ الْبَرَاءَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ آخِرُ سُورَةٍ نَزَلَتْ بَرَاءَةَ، وَآخِرُ آيَةٍ نَزَلَتْ {يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ }
The last surah to be revealed was Bara'ah, and the last verse to be revealed was "They ask you for a ruling" (4:176).
English meaning prepared by mWill, pending scholar review.
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