Islamic Will Calculator
Calculate Islamic inheritance shares (faraid) for all heirs according to Quran and Sunnah. Enter values for instant results with step-by-step formulas.
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer
Islamic Will Calculator
Calculator
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Formula: Distributable Estate = Gross Estate - Debts - Bequests (max 1/3)
Worked example — Wife: $62,500 | Mother: $83,333 | Each Son: $141,667 | Daughter: $70,833
Formula
Distributable Estate = Gross Estate - Debts - Bequests (max 1/3)
Debts and funeral expenses are paid first, then bequests up to one-third of the remaining estate, then the distributable estate is allocated to heirs: spouse, parents receive fixed Quranic shares, and sons receive double the share of daughters from the residuary.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Estate with Wife, Sons and Daughters
Problem:A man dies leaving an estate of $500,000, no debts, no bequests. Heirs: wife, mother, 2 sons, 1 daughter. Calculate each share.
Solution:Net estate: $500,000 Wife (with children): 1/8 = $62,500 Mother (with children): 1/6 = $83,333 Remainder: $500,000 - $62,500 - $83,333 = $354,167 Sons + daughter parts: (2 x 2) + 1 = 5 parts Per part: $354,167 / 5 = $70,833 Each son: $70,833 x 2 = $141,667 Daughter: $70,833
Result:Wife: $62,500 | Mother: $83,333 | Each Son: $141,667 | Daughter: $70,833
Example 2: Estate with Debts and Bequest
Problem:A woman dies leaving $300,000 estate, $30,000 in debts, and a $50,000 bequest to charity. Heirs: husband, 1 son, 1 daughter, no parents.
Solution:Net estate: $300,000 - $30,000 = $270,000 Max bequest (1/3): $270,000 / 3 = $90,000 Actual bequest: $50,000 (within limit) Distributable: $270,000 - $50,000 = $220,000 Husband (with children): 1/4 = $55,000 Remainder: $220,000 - $55,000 = $165,000 Son + daughter parts: 2 + 1 = 3 Son: $165,000 x 2/3 = $110,000 Daughter: $165,000 x 1/3 = $55,000
Result:Husband: $55,000 | Son: $110,000 | Daughter: $55,000 | Charity bequest: $50,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Islamic inheritance law (faraid)?
Faraid is the Islamic system of inheritance distribution prescribed in the Quran, primarily in Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), verses 11, 12, and 176. It establishes specific shares for designated heirs based on their relationship to the deceased, ensuring that wealth is distributed fairly among family members according to divine guidance. The system recognizes two categories of heirs: those with fixed shares (ashab al-furud) such as spouses, parents, and daughters, and residuary heirs (asabah) such as sons who receive what remains after fixed shares are allocated. Islamic inheritance law is considered one of the most detailed and precisely defined areas of Islamic jurisprudence, and Muslim scholars have developed extensive literature over centuries to address complex inheritance scenarios.
Why do sons receive double the share of daughters in Islamic inheritance?
The differential inheritance shares between sons and daughters must be understood within the comprehensive Islamic financial framework rather than in isolation. In Islamic law, men bear mandatory financial obligations that women do not, including the obligation to provide mahr (dowry) to their wives, full financial maintenance (nafaqah) of wife and children including housing, food, clothing, and medical care, and financial responsibility for elderly parents and unmarried sisters. A woman, by contrast, has no mandatory financial obligations even if she is wealthy. Her inheritance, earnings, and mahr are entirely hers to keep, save, or spend as she wishes. When viewed holistically, the Islamic system often results in women retaining more disposable wealth than men, because their share comes with no attached financial obligations toward others.
What is the maximum bequest (wasiyyah) allowed in Islamic law?
Islamic law limits voluntary bequests to a maximum of one-third of the net estate after debts are paid. This limit is established by the well-known hadith of Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, who asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) if he could bequeath all his wealth, then two-thirds, and the Prophet declined both. When Saad asked about one-third, the Prophet replied that one-third is acceptable and even that is a lot. Furthermore, a bequest cannot be made in favor of an heir who already receives a prescribed share, as this would disturb the divinely ordained distribution. Any bequest exceeding one-third or made to an existing heir requires the unanimous consent of all other heirs after the death of the testator to be valid.
What debts and expenses are paid before inheritance distribution?
Islamic law establishes a clear priority order for estate settlement before inheritance shares are calculated and distributed. First, funeral and burial expenses are paid from the estate, which should be reasonable and dignified without extravagance. Second, all outstanding debts of the deceased are settled, including financial debts to creditors, unpaid zakat obligations, unfulfilled religious vows, and any outstanding mahr owed to the spouse. Third, valid bequests up to one-third of the remaining estate are fulfilled as specified in the will. Only after these three categories are fully addressed is the remaining estate distributed among the heirs according to their prescribed Quranic shares. If the estate is insufficient to cover debts, all assets go to creditors and no inheritance is distributed.
How does the presence or absence of children affect spouse shares?
The existence of children significantly changes the inheritance shares allocated to the surviving spouse in Islamic inheritance law. A wife receives one-eighth of the estate when the deceased husband has children (from any marriage, not just hers), but receives one-fourth when there are no children or grandchildren. Similarly, a husband receives one-fourth of the estate when his deceased wife has children, but receives one-half when there are no children or grandchildren. This adjustment exists because children represent the primary continuation of the family line and bear future financial responsibilities that require adequate provision. The term children in this context includes grandchildren through sons, who step into the position of their deceased father and may inherit accordingly.
What happens to the inheritance of parents when the deceased has children?
When the deceased has children, each surviving parent (father and mother) receives a fixed share of one-sixth of the distributable estate. This is explicitly stated in Quran 4:11. When the deceased has no children or grandchildren, the distribution changes significantly. If the deceased has no children and no siblings, the mother receives one-third of the estate. If the deceased has no children but has two or more siblings, the mother receives one-sixth. The father, when there are no children, becomes a residuary heir and receives whatever remains after fixed shares are distributed. In cases where both parents are alive and the deceased has no children, the mother takes her fixed share first, and the father receives the remainder as the residuary heir.
Can non-Muslim family members inherit in Islamic law?
The majority of classical Islamic scholars hold that inheritance between Muslims and non-Muslims is not permitted in either direction, based on the hadith reported in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated that a Muslim does not inherit from a disbeliever, nor does a disbeliever inherit from a Muslim. This means that if a Muslim man has a non-Muslim wife or non-Muslim children, they would not receive shares under the faraid system. However, the deceased can make a bequest (wasiyyah) of up to one-third of the estate to non-Muslim relatives, ensuring they are provided for. Some contemporary scholars have noted that this bequest provision, combined with other financial arrangements made during the lifetime, can ensure equitable treatment of all family members regardless of faith.
What is the concept of awl (proportional reduction) in Islamic inheritance?
Awl is an important jurisprudential concept that addresses situations where the total fixed shares of all heirs exceed the entire estate, meaning there is not enough to give everyone their full prescribed share. In such cases, all fixed shares are proportionally reduced so that each heir receives a fraction of their entitled share rather than some heirs being fully paid while others receive nothing. For example, if the total prescribed shares add up to seven-sixths of the estate (more than 100 percent), each heir receives six-sevenths of their original entitlement. This mechanism was first applied during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and has been accepted by the majority of scholars. The opposite scenario, where fixed shares total less than the estate leaving a residual, is handled through the concept of radd (return).
Is an Islamic will legally recognized in Western countries?
The legal status of Islamic wills in Western countries varies significantly depending on jurisdiction and how the will is structured. In most Western legal systems, a properly executed will that meets formal requirements such as witness signatures and testator capacity will be recognized and enforced by courts, even if it follows Islamic distribution principles. However, some jurisdictions have forced heirship laws or community property rules that may override certain provisions. In the United States and United Kingdom, courts generally respect testamentary freedom, meaning a properly drafted Islamic will can direct estate distribution according to faraid principles. It is strongly recommended to work with a lawyer experienced in both Islamic inheritance law and local estate law to ensure the will is legally valid, properly witnessed, and structured to achieve the intended distribution while complying with local regulations.
How should jointly owned property be handled in Islamic estate planning?
Jointly owned property requires careful consideration in Islamic estate planning because only the deceased person share of the property forms part of their estate for faraid distribution. For married couples, the first step is determining what portion of jointly titled assets actually belongs to the deceased based on their financial contributions and any agreements made during their lifetime. In many cases, spouses assume that jointly titled property is split 50-50, but Islamic law looks at the actual ownership based on who earned and contributed the funds. Property held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship in some Western legal systems automatically passes to the surviving co-owner outside of probate, which can conflict with Islamic distribution requirements. To ensure compliance with faraid, Muslim estate planners often recommend holding property as tenants in common rather than joint tenants and documenting each party ownership share.
References
Reviewed for accuracy by Daniel Agrici, Founder & Lead Developer · Editorial policy
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