Islamic Inheritance Calculator
Calculate islamic inheritance easily with our free tool. Get practical results, tips, and comparisons for everyday decisions.
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Islamic inheritance follows a priority-based system. First, fixed-share heirs (ashab al-furud) receive their Quranic portions. Then, residual heirs (asabah) — primarily sons, then father — receive the remainder. If shares exceed the estate, proportional reduction (Awl) is applied. Sons receive twice the share of daughters when inheriting together as residual heirs.
Last reviewed: December 2025
Worked Examples
Example 1: Deceased Male with Wife, Son, and Daughter
Example 2: Deceased Female with Husband, Mother, and Father
Background & Theory
The Islamic Inheritance Calculator applies the following established principles and formulas. Islamic financial and religious calculations operate within a framework that integrates theological principles with precise mathematical methodology. Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, requires payment of 2.5% of qualifying wealth held above the nisab threshold for a complete lunar year. The nisab is pegged to the value of 85 grams of gold or 595 grams of silver, whichever provides the lower threshold, and must be recalculated against current market prices. Qualifying wealth includes cash, savings, business inventory, and investment assets, but excludes primary residence, personal-use items, and tools of trade. Hijri calendar conversion is essential for determining Ramadan dates, Zakat anniversaries, and contract terms expressed in lunar months. The Hijri calendar contains 12 lunar months totalling approximately 354.37 days, making it roughly 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. Converting between calendars requires accounting for the accumulated drift: since the Hijri epoch of 622 CE (the Prophet's migration from Mecca to Medina), the difference compounds annually. Qibla direction calculation employs spherical trigonometry to determine the great-circle bearing from any point on Earth toward the Kaaba in Mecca (coordinates 21.4225°N, 39.8262°E). The formula accounts for the curvature of the Earth, meaning the bearing from New York to Mecca is approximately northeast rather than the intuitive eastward direction seen on flat maps. Prayer times are determined by solar angles: Fajr begins when the sun is 15-18 degrees below the horizon before dawn; Dhuhr at solar noon; Asr when shadow length equals object height plus its shadow at noon; Maghrib at sunset; and Isha when twilight disappears. These calculations vary by latitude and season, requiring location-specific algorithms. Islamic finance prohibits riba (interest), requiring profit-sharing structures such as Mudarabah (capital provider and entrepreneur share profits at a pre-agreed ratio) and Musharakah (joint venture with proportional profit and loss sharing).
History
The history behind the Islamic Inheritance Calculator traces back through the following developments. Islamic civilisation made foundational contributions to mathematics and astronomy that underpin many of the calculation methods still used today. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, working at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad in the 9th century, authored Al-Kitab al-mukhtasar fi hisab al-jabr wal-muqabala, the work from whose title the word algebra derives. His systematic approach to equation solving provided tools directly applicable to financial and calendar calculations. Al-Biruni in the 11th century developed sophisticated methods for calculating geographic coordinates and direction, including early formulations of what became the qibla calculation. The Hijri calendar was formally established by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab in 638 CE, fixing the Prophet Muhammad's migration (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE as the epoch. This calendar standardised religious observances across the expanding Muslim world. Islamic inheritance law (Faraid) was codified from Quranic verses and Hadith during the early Islamic period, establishing precise fractional shares for defined classes of heirs. The complexity of multi-heir scenarios drove development of sophisticated fraction arithmetic among early Islamic jurists and mathematicians. The Ottoman Empire administered Zakat as a state function for centuries, integrating it with broader fiscal policy until the empire's dissolution after World War I. The 20th century saw Islamic finance principles largely dormant in formal banking until the resurgence of Islamic banking in Egypt (Mit Ghamr Savings Bank, 1963) and the Gulf states following the 1973 oil boom provided capital for institution-building. The Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), established in Bahrain in 1991, and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), established in Kuala Lumpur in 2002, created the standards infrastructure for modern Islamic finance. The global Islamic finance industry has grown to approximately three trillion US dollars in assets, spanning banking, takaful insurance, sukuk bonds, and Islamic funds across over 80 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Formula
Each heir receives their Quranic share (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, 1/6), with residual going to Asabah heirs
Islamic inheritance follows a priority-based system. First, fixed-share heirs (ashab al-furud) receive their Quranic portions. Then, residual heirs (asabah) — primarily sons, then father — receive the remainder. If shares exceed the estate, proportional reduction (Awl) is applied. Sons receive twice the share of daughters when inheriting together as residual heirs.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Deceased Male with Wife, Son, and Daughter
Problem: A man passes away leaving an estate of $100,000. His heirs are his wife, 1 son, and 1 daughter. Calculate each heir's share.
Solution: Wife's share = 1/8 (has children) = $12,500\nRemainder = $100,000 - $12,500 = $87,500\nSon gets 2 parts, daughter gets 1 part = 3 total parts\nSon = $87,500 × 2/3 = $58,333.33\nDaughter = $87,500 × 1/3 = $29,166.67
Result: Wife: $12,500 | Son: $58,333 | Daughter: $29,167
Example 2: Deceased Female with Husband, Mother, and Father
Problem: A woman passes away with $200,000. Her heirs are her husband, mother, and father. No children.
Solution: Husband's share = 1/2 (no children) = $100,000\nMother's share = 1/3 (no children, no multiple siblings) = $66,666.67\nFather's share = Residual = $200,000 - $100,000 - $66,666.67 = $33,333.33
Result: Husband: $100,000 | Mother: $66,667 | Father: $33,333
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Islamic inheritance system (Faraid)?
Faraid is the Islamic law of inheritance derived primarily from the Quran (Surah An-Nisa, verses 11-12 and 176) and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It prescribes specific shares for designated heirs based on their relationship to the deceased. The system is mandatory and cannot be altered by a will for the designated heirs, though up to one-third of the estate can be bequeathed to non-heirs through a wasiyyah (bequest). Faraid aims to distribute wealth across the family rather than concentrating it, ensuring that close relatives — including women — receive their rightful shares. The system considers the closeness of relationship, the generation of the heir, and financial responsibilities.
How do I interpret the result?
Results are displayed with a label and unit to help you understand the output. Many calculators include a short explanation or classification below the result (for example, a BMI category or risk level). Refer to the worked examples section on this page for real-world context.
What inputs do I need to use Islamic Inheritance Calculator accurately?
Each field is labelled with the required unit (metric or imperial). Gather your source values before starting — for example, a weight measurement in kilograms, a distance in metres, or a dollar amount — and enter them exactly as measured. The formula section on this page lists every variable and explains what each represents.
How do I verify Islamic Inheritance Calculator's result independently?
The Formula section on this page shows the equation used. You can reproduce the calculation manually or in a spreadsheet using those steps. Compare your answer against the worked examples in the Examples section, which use known reference values so you can confirm the calculator is behaving as expected.
Can I use the results for professional or academic purposes?
You may use the results for reference and educational purposes. For professional reports, academic papers, or critical decisions, we recommend verifying outputs against peer-reviewed sources or consulting a qualified expert in the relevant field.
Why might my result differ from another tool or reference?
Differences typically arise from rounding conventions, the specific version of a formula (for example, simple vs compound interest), or unit inconsistencies between inputs. Check that both tools are using the same formula variant and the same units. The References section links to the authoritative source behind the formula used here.
References
Reviewed by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy