Fiqh al-Irth al-Hajb — Inheritance Blocking in Islamic Law: How the Presence of a Closer Heir Eliminates or Reduces the Share of a More Distant One

The Two Types of Blocking

Hajb Hirman (Total Exclusion): A more proximate heir completely excludes a more remote one from inheritance. Example: the son excludes the grandson (son of a deceased son); the father excludes the grandfather; the full brother excludes the half-brother on the father’s side under certain conditions.

Hajb Nuqsan (Reduction): The blocked heir still receives something, but less than they would in the absence of the blocking heir. Example: the husband’s share reduces from one-half to one-quarter when the deceased wife leaves children. The wife’s share reduces from one-quarter to one-eighth with children. The mother’s share reduces from one-third to one-sixth when there are children or two or more siblings of the deceased.

Who Can Never Be Blocked (Ghayr Mahjub)

Six heirs are never fully excluded — their inheritance may be reduced but cannot be eliminated:

1. The deceased’s son
2. The deceased’s daughter
3. The father
4. The mother
5. The husband
6. The wife

All other heirs can be completely excluded by the presence of closer heirs.

Classic Blocking Examples

Grandfather vs. Father: The father’s presence completely blocks the grandfather from inheritance under Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i positions (he inherits nothing when the father is alive). The Hanbali school gives the grandfather one-third if he competes with siblings.

Full-sibling vs. Half-sibling: The full brother (same mother and father) blocks the half-brother on the father’s side (akh li-ab) from inheriting when both are present.

Grandson (son of son) vs. Son: A living son of the deceased completely blocks the son’s son (grandson) from inheriting, since the grandson is a degree further removed.

See also: Fiqh Al Sukuk, Fiqh Al Waqf, Fiqh Al Mahr, Ilm Al Usul, Fiqh Adl Wa Ihsan