Mathematical Calculations of Islamic Inheritance

Islamic inheritance, or Faraid, is a system children, or 1/8 with children. A single

outlined in the Quran and Hadith to distribute daughter takes 1/2, while multiple daughters
a deceased Muslim’s estate among their heirs, share 2/3, unless sons are present, in which
ensuring fairness and family support. In case they share with sons in a 1:2 ratio. Parents
Bangladesh, these rules are applied under typically receive 1/6 each when children are
Muslim Personal Law, primarily following the present, but the mother may get 1/3 without
Hanafi School, which governs matters like children, and the father may take the residue.
inheritance, marriage, and guardianship. Residuaries, such as sons or brothers, inherit
after sharers, following a hierarchy where closer
Basic Principles relatives exclude more distant ones. If no
residuaries exist, Radd redistributes the
The process begins with settling any debts and remainder among sharers (excluding spouses in
fulfilling a valid will, which cannot exceed one- Hanafi law). If shares exceed the estate, Awl
third of the estate without heirs’ consent. The proportionally reduces each share.
remaining estate is divided among heirs,
categorized as sharers (Dhul Faraid), residuaries Calculation Steps
(Asaba), and distant kindred (Dhawul Arham).
Sharers receive fixed portions specified in the To calculate inheritance shares, follow these
Quran, while residuaries take any remaining steps:
estate. Distant kindred inherit only if no sharers
or residuaries exist. Calculations involve 1. Determine the total estate after paying
assigning fixed shares, distributing residues, and debts and fulfilling the will.
applying adjustments like Radd (when shares 2. Identify the heirs and their categories
are less than the estate) or Awl (when shares (sharers, residuaries, or distant kindred).
exceed the estate). 3. Assign fixed shares to sharers based on
their conditions.
Heirs and Their Shares 4. Distribute any remaining estate to
residuaries according to their hierarchy.
Sharers include spouses, parents, daughters, and 5. If no residuaries exist, apply Radd to
certain siblings, each with specific shares based redistribute among sharers.
on other heirs present. For example, a husband 6. If the sum of shares exceeds the estate,
receives 1/2 if there are no children, but 1/4 if use Awl to adjust shares proportionally.
children exist. A wife gets 1/4 without
 Heir Share Conditions Notes
Husband 1/2 No children or If no children or son’s children, husband
grandchildren gets half the estate.
1/4 With children or If deceased has children or son’s children,
grandchildren share reduces to one-quarter. Multiple wives
share equally.
Wife 1/4 No children or If no children or son’s children, wife gets
grandchildren one-quarter. Multiple wives divide this share
equally (e.g., two wives get 1/8 each).
1/8 With children or Share reduces if deceased has children or
grandchildren son’s children. Multiple wives share equally.
Father 1/6 With children or Gets fixed share if deceased has a son or
grandchildren son’s son. May also take residuary share if
no other residuaries.
Residuary No children or If no children or son’s children, father takes
grandchildren whatever is left after other sharers.
Mother 1/3 No children or multiple Gets one-third if no children or son’s
siblings children and fewer than two siblings.
1/6 With children or Share reduces if deceased has children, son’s
multiple siblings children, or two or more siblings.
1/3 of With spouse and father, If only spouse and father remain, mother
remainder no children gets 1/3 of what’s left after spouse’s share
(e.g., after husband’s 1/2, mother gets 1/3
of 1/2 = 1/6).
Daughter 1/2 One daughter, no sons A single daughter gets half the estate if no
sons.
2/3 Two or more daughters, Multiple daughters share two-thirds equally
no sons (e.g., two daughters get 1/3 each).
Proportional With sons Daughters share with sons, with sons getting
twice the share of daughters (e.g., 2:1 ratio
per son:daughter).
Son’s 1/2 One son’s daughter, no Inherits like a daughter if no higher-ranking
Daughter daughters or sons heirs (sons or daughters).
2/3 Two or more son’s Multiple son’s daughters share two-thirds
daughters, no daughters equally.
or sons
1/6 With one daughter, no If one daughter takes 1/2, son’s daughter
sons gets 1/6 to complete 2/3.
Proportional With son’s sons Shares with son’s sons in 2:1 ratio
(male:female), if no higher-ranking heirs.
Paternal 1/6 With children or Inherits like father if father is deceased.
Grandfather grandchildren, no father
Residuary No children or Takes remainder after sharers if no higher-
 grandchildren, no father ranking residuaries.
Paternal 1/6 No mother Shares 1/6 equally if both paternal and
Grandmother maternal grandmothers inherit. Blocked by
mother or father.
Maternal 1/6 No mother Shares 1/6 equally with paternal
Grandmother grandmother if both inherit. Blocked by
mother.
Full Sister 1/2 One full sister, no Gets half if no children, father, sons, or
children, father, or sons son’s sons.
2/3 Two or more full Multiple full sisters share two-thirds
sisters, no children, equally.
father, or sons
Residuary With full brother Shares with full brothers in 2:1 ratio
(male:female), if no children or father.
Paternal 1/2 One paternal sister, no Inherits if no higher-ranking heirs (children,
Sister children, father, sons, or father, full siblings).
full siblings
2/3 Two or more paternal Multiple paternal sisters share two-thirds
sisters, no children, equally.
father, sons, or full
siblings
Residuary With paternal brother Shares with paternal brothers in 2:1 ratio, if
no higher-ranking heirs.
Maternal 1/6 One maternal sibling, One maternal brother or sister gets 1/6 if
Brother/Siste no children, father, or no children, father, or grandfather.
r grandfather
1/3 Two or more maternal Multiple maternal siblings (brothers or
siblings, no children, sisters) share 1/3 equally.
father, or grandfather

Example 1: Wife, One Son, One Daughter

Problem: The deceased leaves a wife, one son, and one daughter, with an estate of ৳24,000.
Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Wife’s share: As a sharer with children present, the wife receives 1/8 of the estate.
Calculation: 1/8 × ৳24,000 = ৳3,000.
2. Remaining estate: Subtract the wife’s share: ৳24,000 − ৳3,000 = ৳21,000.
3. Son and daughter’s shares: The son and daughter are residuaries, sharing the remainder in
a 2:1 ratio (son gets twice the daughter’s share).
 Total parts: 2 (son) + 1 (daughter) = 3 parts.
Value per part: ৳21,000 ÷ 3 = ৳7,000.
Son’s share: 2 × ৳7,000 = ৳14,000.
Daughter’s share: 1 × ৳7,000 = ৳7,000.
4. Final distribution: Wife: ৳3,000, Son: ৳14,000, Daughter: ৳7,000.

Explanation: The wife’s fixed share of 1/8 is calculated first because she is a sharer. The son
and daughter, as residuaries, divide the remaining estate, with the son receiving twice as much as
the daughter, reflecting the Quranic rule in Surah An-Nisa (4:11). The total matches the estate:
৳3,000 + ৳14,000 + ৳7,000 = ৳24,000.

Example 2: Husband, Two Daughters, Mother (Awl Case)

Problem: The deceased leaves a husband, two daughters, and a mother, with an estate of
৳36,000. Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Assign shares:
o Husband: 1/4 (children present).
o Mother: 1/6 (children present).
o Two daughters: 2/3 (multiple daughters, no sons).
2. Check total shares: Convert to a common denominator (12):
o Husband: 1/4 = 3/12.
o Mother: 1/6 = 2/12.
o Daughters: 2/3 = 8/12.
Total: 3/12 + 2/12 + 8/12 = 13/12, which exceeds 1.
3. Apply Awl: Since shares exceed the estate, divide the estate into 13 parts instead of 12.
Value per part: ৳36,000 ÷ 13 ≈ ৳2,769.23.
o Husband: 3 parts × ৳2,769.23 ≈ ৳8,307.69.

o Mother: 2 parts × ৳2,769.23 ≈ ৳5,538.46.

o Daughters: 8 parts × ৳2,769.23 ≈ ৳22,153.84 (each daughter: ৳11,076.92).

4. Final distribution: Husband: ৳8,307.69, Mother: ৳5,538.46, Each daughter:

৳11,076.92.
Explanation: The sum of shares (13/12) exceeds the estate, so Awl adjusts the denominator to
13, reducing each share proportionally. The daughters share the 2/3 portion equally, as
specified for multiple daughters. The total approximates ৳36,000, with minor rounding
differences.

Example 3: Wife, Father, Mother, No Children

Problem: The deceased leaves a wife, father, and mother, with an estate of ৳12,000 and no
children. Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Wife’s share: No children, so the wife gets 1/4.

Calculation: 1/4 × ৳12,000 = ৳3,000.
2. Mother’s share: No children, so the mother gets 1/3 of the total estate.
Calculation: 1/3 × ৳12,000 = ৳4,000.
3. Father’s share: The father, as a residuary (no children), takes the remainder.
Calculation: ৳12,000 − ৳3,000 − ৳4,000 = ৳5,000.
4. Final distribution: Wife: ৳3,000, Mother: ৳4,000, Father: ৳5,000.

Explanation: The wife and mother receive fixed shares, while the father, as a residuary, takes the
remaining estate. The total matches: ৳3,000 + ৳4,000 + ৳5,000 = ৳12,000.
Side note: The father’s role switches between sharer and residuary based on other heirs,
showcasing the system’s adaptability.

Example 4: Husband, Two Full Sisters (Awl)

Problem: The deceased leaves a husband and two full sisters, with an estate of ৳18,000 and no
children or parents. Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Assign shares:
o Husband: 1/2 (no children).
o Two full sisters: 2/3 (no children or father).
 2. Check total shares: Convert to a common denominator (6):
o Husband: 1/2 = 3/6.
o Sisters: 2/3 = 4/6.
Total: 3/6 + 4/6 = 7/6, which exceeds 1.
3. Apply Awl: Divide the estate into 7 parts.
Value per part: ৳18,000 ÷ 7 ≈ ৳2,571.43.
o Husband: 3 parts × ৳2,571.43 ≈ ৳7,714.29.

o Sisters: 4 parts × ৳2,571.43 ≈ ৳10,285.72 (each sister: ৳5,142.86).

4. Final distribution: Husband: ৳7,714.29, Each sister: ৳5,142.86.

Explanation: The shares exceed the estate, so Awl adjusts the denominator to 7. The sisters
share the 2/3 portion equally. The total approximates ৳18,000.
Side note: Full sisters inherit as sharers only in specific conditions, emphasizing the importance
of understanding heir hierarchy.

Example 5: Single Daughter

Problem: The deceased leaves only one daughter, with an estate of ৳10,000. Calculate the
distribution.

Solution:

1. Daughter’s share: As a sharer, the daughter receives 1/2.

Calculation: 1/2 × ৳10,000 = ৳5,000.
2. Apply Radd: No residuaries exist, so the remaining ৳5,000 is redistributed to the
daughter.
Total share: ৳5,000 + ৳5,000 = ৳10,000.
3. Final distribution: Daughter: ৳10,000.

Explanation: The daughter’s fixed share is 1/2, and with no other heirs, Radd gives her the
entire estate.
Side note: This case illustrates how Radd can result in a single heir receiving the full estate.
Example 6: Two Daughters

Problem: The deceased leaves two daughters, with an estate of ৳15,000. Calculate the
distribution.

Solution:

1. Daughters’ share: As sharers, the daughters share 2/3.

Calculation: 2/3 × ৳15,000 = ৳10,000 (each daughter: ৳5,000).
2. Apply Radd: No residuaries exist, so the remaining 1/3 (৳5,000) is redistributed
equally.
Additional share per daughter: ৳5,000 ÷ 2 = ৳2,500.
Total per daughter: ৳5,000 + ৳2,500 = ৳7,500.
3. Final distribution: Each daughter: ৳7,500.

Explanation: The daughters share the 2/3 portion equally, and Radd distributes the remainder,
resulting in equal shares. The total matches: ৳7,500 + ৳7,500 = ৳15,000.
Side note: Equal sharing among daughters reflects the Quranic rule for multiple daughters
without sons.

Example 7: Son and Daughter

Problem: The deceased leaves a son and a daughter, with an estate of ৳20,000. Calculate the
distribution.

Solution:

1. Son and daughter’s shares: As residuaries, they share in a 2:1 ratio.

Total parts: 2 (son) + 1 (daughter) = 3.
Value per part: ৳20,000 ÷ 3 ≈ ৳6,666.67.
o Son: 2 × ৳6,666.67 ≈ ৳13,333.34.

o Daughter: 1 × ৳6,666.67 ≈ ৳6,666.67.

2. Final distribution: Son: ৳13,333.34, Daughter: ৳6,666.67.

Explanation: With no sharers, the entire estate is divided among residuaries. The 2:1 ratio
ensures the son receives twice the daughter’s share. The total approximates ৳20,000.
Side note: The absence of sharers simplifies this case to residuary distribution.
Example 8: Wife, Son, Daughter, Father, Mother

Problem: The deceased leaves a wife, son, daughter, father, and mother, with an estate of
৳48,000. Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Assign fixed shares:

o Wife: 1/8 (children present) = 1/8 × ৳48,000 = ৳6,000.

o Father: 1/6 = 1/6 × ৳48,000 = ৳8,000.

o Mother: 1/6 = 1/6 × ৳48,000 = ৳8,000.

2. Total fixed shares: ৳6,000 + ৳8,000 + ৳8,000 = ৳22,000.

3. Remaining estate: ৳48,000 − ৳22,000 = ৳26,000.
4. Son and daughter’s shares: Share in a 2:1 ratio.
Total parts: 2 + 1 = 3.
Value per part: ৳26,000 ÷ 3 ≈ ৳8,666.67.
o Son: 2 × ৳8,666.67 ≈ ৳17,333.34.

o Daughter: 1 × ৳8,666.67 ≈ ৳8,666.67.

5. Final distribution: Wife: ৳6,000, Father: ৳8,000, Mother: ৳8,000, Son: ৳17,333.34,
Daughter: ৳8,666.67.

Explanation: Fixed shares are calculated first, then the son and daughter divide the remainder.
The total approximates ৳48,000.
Side note: Multiple sharers and residuaries demonstrate the system’s complexity but follow a
clear hierarchy.

Example 9: Husband, Daughter, Full Brother

Problem: The deceased leaves a husband, one daughter, and a full brother, with an estate of
৳30,000. Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Assign fixed shares:

o Husband: 1/4 = ৳7,500.

o Daughter: 1/2 = ৳15,000.

 2. Check total shares: 1/4 + 1/2 = 3/4.
3. Remaining estate: 1/4 × ৳30,000 = ৳7,500.
4. Full brother’s share: As a residuary, he takes the remainder: ৳7,500.
5. Final distribution: Husband: ৳7,500, Daughter: ৳15,000, Full brother: ৳7,500.

Explanation: The fixed shares leave a remainder, which the full brother takes as a residuary. The
total matches: ৳30,000.
Side note: The brother’s share depends on the absence of sons or father, showing residuary
hierarchy.

Example 10: Mother, Full Sister

Problem: The deceased leaves a mother and a full sister, with an estate of ৳12,000. Calculate
the distribution.

Solution:

1. Assign fixed shares:

o Mother: 1/3 (no children) = ৳4,000.

o Full sister: 1/2 (no children or father) = ৳6,000.

2. Check total shares: 1/3 + 1/2 = 5/6.
3. Apply Radd: Remaining estate: 1/6 × ৳12,000 = ৳2,000.
Redistribute proportional to shares (1/3 : 1/2 = 2:3).
Total parts: 2 + 3 = 5.
Value per part: ৳2,000 ÷ 5 = ৳400.
o Mother: 2 × ৳400 = ৳800.

o Sister: 3 × ৳400 = ৳1,200.

4. Final distribution: Mother: ৳4,000 + ৳800 = ৳4,800, Sister: ৳6,000 + ৳1,200 =

৳7,200.

Explanation: Radd redistributes the remainder, maintaining the original share ratios. The total
matches: ৳12,000.
Side note: Radd calculations ensure fairness by preserving proportional shares.
Example 11: Debt and Will Case

Problem: The deceased leaves a debt of ৳5,000, a will donating ৳2,000 to charity, and an
estate of ৳20,000. Heirs are a wife and two sons. Calculate the distribution.

Solution:

1. Pay debt: ৳20,000 − ৳5,000 = ৳15,000.

2. Pay will: Will is within 1/3 of ৳15,000 (৳5,000), so pay ৳2,000.
Remaining estate: ৳15,000 − ৳2,000 = ৳13,000.
3. Wife’s share: 1/8 (children present) = ৳1,625.
4. Sons’ shares: Share remainder equally: ৳13,000 − ৳1,625 = ৳11,375.
Each son: ৳11,375 ÷ 2 = ৳5,687.50.
5. Final distribution: Wife: ৳1,625, Each son: ৳5,687.50.

Explanation: Debts and wills are settled first, reducing the distributable estate. The sons share
the remainder equally as residuaries. The total matches: ৳13,000.
Side note: Prioritizing debts and wills ensures financial obligations are met before inheritance.