What is the Islamic rules of inheritance and why am I calculating it?

The Islamic rules of inheritance, also known as the Fara'id, is the mandatory system of inheritance for all Muslims. In the United States, it is common for the system of inheritance to be implemented in an estate plan with an Islamic Estate Planning Attorney.

My spouse gets everything first, right?

Your spouse is only one of the individuals who is entitled to inheritance. While in the United States it is common for the surviving spouse to receive everything, that is generally prohibited in Islam. The spouse receives a fixed share (1/4 or 1/8 depending on whether there are children), and the remainder is distributed among other eligible heirs.

I noticed that daughters get less inheritance than sons. What if I wanted to change that?

The right to inheritance is specified in the Quran. There are detailed explanations available about the issue of inheritance for boys vs. girls in Islamic law.

There are differences of opinion in Islam on inheritance, right? How does this calculator deal with that?

While there are some differences, as a practical matter it's not going to matter to the vast majority of people. You can select by school of thought in our calculator. The biggest differences are between Sunni schools and the Ja'afari (Shia) school, and typically appear in obscure situations such as when a grandfather inherits alongside siblings.

Is this calculator a substitute for legal advice?

This is an educational tool, period. It does not replace a lawyer or Islamic Scholar. Always consult with qualified professionals for your specific situation.

Once I have my calculation, then what?

This calculation shows you how your estate should be distributed under Islamic law. The next step is working with an attorney to create legal documents—such as a will or trust—that implement this distribution in a way that's enforceable in your state.

Islamic Inheritance Calculator - Free Faraid Calculator

Start Your Inheritance Calculation

Select School of Islamic Jurisprudence (Madhab)

What is your gender?

This determines which relatives can inherit from you according to Islamic law.

👨 Male

👩 Female

Family Members (Potential Heirs)

Marital Status

Number of Sons

Number of Daughters

Is your Father alive?

Is your Mother alive?

Number of Full Brothers

Number of Full Sisters

Understanding Islamic Inheritance Law (Faraid)

Islamic inheritance law, known as Faraid or Mirath in Arabic, is a comprehensive system for distributing a deceased Muslim's estate among their rightful heirs. This system is derived directly from the Quran and the Sunnah (teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), making it a religious obligation for Muslims to follow these guidelines when distributing inheritance.

The Quranic Foundation of Islamic Inheritance

The rules of Islamic inheritance are primarily established in Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4) of the Quran, particularly in verses 11, 12, and 176. Allah says: "Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females..." (Quran 4:11). These verses specify exact fractions for various heirs, including children, parents, spouses, and siblings, leaving little room for arbitrary distribution.

How Does a Faraid Calculator Work?

An Islamic inheritance calculator, or Faraid calculator, applies the fixed shares (fard) prescribed in the Quran to determine what percentage of the estate each heir receives. The calculation considers several factors:

The deceased's gender - This affects which relatives qualify as heirs
Surviving family members - Spouse, children, parents, siblings, and extended relatives
The presence of certain heirs - Some heirs block others from inheriting (known as hajb)
School of jurisprudence - Minor differences exist between Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali, and Ja'afari schools

Fixed Shares in Islamic Inheritance

Islamic inheritance law designates specific fractions to certain heirs, known as "Ashab al-Furud" (those entitled to fixed shares). The six prescribed fractions in the Quran are: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, and 1/6. For example:

Husband: Receives 1/2 if no children, or 1/4 if children exist
Wife: Receives 1/4 if no children, or 1/8 if children exist
Father: Receives 1/6 when children exist, plus residuary share in some cases
Mother: Receives 1/6 when children or multiple siblings exist, otherwise 1/3
Daughter: One daughter receives 1/2; two or more daughters share 2/3
Son: Sons inherit as residuary heirs (asaba), sharing the remainder after fixed shares

The 2:1 Ratio Explained

When sons and daughters inherit together, the Quran specifies that a son receives twice the share of a daughter. This ratio reflects the Islamic principle that males bear greater financial responsibilities, including providing for their families, paying mahr (dowry), and supporting elderly parents. A daughter's inheritance remains entirely her own with no obligation to spend it on others.

Why Use Our Islamic Inheritance Calculator?

Our free Faraid calculator simplifies complex inheritance calculations that would otherwise require deep knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence. Whether you're planning your estate, settling a deceased relative's affairs, or simply learning about Islamic inheritance, this tool provides accurate calculations based on authentic Islamic sources. The calculator supports all five major schools of Islamic jurisprudence and accounts for special cases like 'Awl (proportional reduction when shares exceed the estate) and Radd (redistribution of surplus to blood relatives).

Frequently Asked Questions About Islamic Inheritance

What is a Faraid calculator?

A Faraid calculator is a tool that computes Islamic inheritance shares according to Sharia law. The term "Faraid" comes from the Arabic word for "obligatory shares" prescribed in the Quran. Our calculator automatically applies the complex rules of Islamic inheritance, including fixed shares (fard), residuary distribution (ta'sib), and special cases like blocking (hajb), to determine each heir's rightful portion of the estate.

How is inheritance divided in Islam?

Islamic inheritance is divided according to fixed shares prescribed in the Quran (Surah An-Nisa 4:11-12, 176). First, any debts and funeral expenses are paid. Then, up to one-third may be distributed according to a valid Islamic will (wasiyyah) for non-heirs or charity. The remaining estate is divided among legal heirs: spouses receive fixed fractions (1/4 or 1/8), parents receive their shares (typically 1/6), and children share the remainder with sons receiving twice the share of daughters.

What share does a wife receive in Islamic inheritance?

A wife receives 1/8 (12.5%) of her husband's estate if there are children (sons or daughters), or 1/4 (25%) if there are no children. If there are multiple wives, they share this portion equally among themselves. The wife's share is a fixed entitlement (fard) that cannot be reduced by the presence of other heirs. This share comes before any residuary distribution to other family members.

Do all schools of Islamic jurisprudence agree on inheritance rules?

The four Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) and the Ja'afari (Shia) school agree on most fundamental inheritance rules since they derive from clear Quranic verses. However, differences exist in specific scenarios. For example, in the Hanafi school, a grandfather completely excludes siblings from inheritance, while other Sunni schools allow them to share. The Ja'afari school has distinct rules about class-based exclusion where closer relatives completely block distant ones.

Can I change my Islamic inheritance shares through a will?

Islamic law limits discretionary bequests (wasiyyah) to one-third of the estate, and this portion cannot go to someone who is already a legal heir (unless other heirs consent). The remaining two-thirds must be distributed according to the fixed Quranic shares. This ensures that close family members receive their God-given rights and prevents disinheritance of relatives. In Western countries, working with an Islamic estate planning attorney can help structure your will to comply with both Sharia and local laws.

What happens after I calculate my inheritance shares?

Once you have your calculation, the next step is implementing these shares in a legally binding estate plan. This typically involves working with an attorney who understands both Islamic inheritance law and your local legal system. They can create documents such as a will, trust, or family settlement agreement that ensure your estate is distributed according to Islamic principles while being enforceable in your jurisdiction.

Learn More About Islamic Inheritance

Understanding the Islamic rules of inheritance (Mirath or Faraid) is essential for every Muslim. Our calculator follows the principles established in the Quran and Sunnah, with support for all major schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

This calculator is for educational purposes only. For estate planning, please consult with a qualified Islamic scholar and legal professional. Work with an Islamic estate planning attorney.