In Islamic jurisprudence, the laws of inheritance—known as Faraid (ফারায়েজ)—are considered a core pillar of the religion, establishing a divine and equitable distribution of wealth. Derived directly from the Quran, primarily Surah An-Nisa, these rules specify fixed shares (Zawil Furud) for immediate relatives and govern how the residue (Asabah) is split. This article provides a clear, practical guide to Sunni Hanafi inheritance rules, illustrating primary shares, blocking mechanics, and how complex cases like Awl and Radd are resolved.
The Essential Steps Before Asset Distribution
Before any inheritance is split among relatives, Islamic law requires executing four priority tasks from the deceased's estate in strict chronological order:
- 1Funeral Expenses: Cover all reasonable costs associated with wrapping, washing, transport, and burial.
- 2Outstanding Debts: Pay off all liabilities, including commercial loans, personal debts, and the wife's unpaid Mahr (dower).
- 3Wills & Bequests (Wasiyyah): Execute any written wills to non-heirs. Under Islamic law, bequests are strictly capped at a maximum of 1/3 of the remaining estate after funeral costs and debts are cleared.
- 4Faraid Shares: Distribute the remaining net assets among the eligible heirs according to their Shariah-designated shares.
Primary Heirs & Fixed Quranic Shares (Zawil Furud)
Quranic heirs have Shariah-mandated fractional shares of the estate. Their exact ratios depend on whether the deceased left behind children (descendants):
| Heir | Share (With Children / Offspring) | Share (Without Children / Offspring) |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/4 of the estate | 1/2 of the estate |
| Wife | 1/8 of the estate | 1/4 of the estate (split equally if multiple wives) |
| Mother | 1/6 of the estate | 1/3 of the estate (reduces to 1/6 if multiple siblings exist) |
| Father | 1/6 of the estate | Acts as Asabah (Residuary) and takes the entire remainder |
| Daughters | Shared 2/3 (if 2+ daughters) or 1/2 (if only 1 daughter) | No fixed daughter share (if a son exists, they split 2:1 as Asabah) |
The Concept of Hajb (Blocking Rules)
In Faraid, closer relative linkages exclude more distant connections from inheriting. This is known as Hajb (হজব). Key blocking rules include:
- Sons Exclude: Grandsons, all brothers, all sisters, nephews, nieces, and uncles.
- Fathers Exclude: Grandfathers, brothers, sisters, and uncles.
- Mothers Exclude: All grandmothers (both maternal and paternal).
- Daughters Exclude: Step-siblings and more distant relatives in many standard scenarios.
Awl and Radd Fractional Adjustments
In practice, the sum of Quranic fractional shares does not always equal exactly 1.0. Faraid handles these mathematical discrepancies through two adjustments:
- Awl (عول): Occurs when the sum of shares exceeds 1.0. The common denominator is increased (scaled up), proportionally reducing every heir's final payout. This prevents any heir from being completely excluded.
- Radd (رد): Occurs when the sum of shares is less than 1.0 and no residuaries (like a son or father) exist. The surplus is distributed back to the primary Quranic heirs (excluding spouses) in proportion to their baseline shares.
Tip
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