The Fixed Shares (Fara’id): Quranic Specifications
The Quran specifies seven fractional shares: 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, 1/6, and (by derivation) 1/3 of remainder.
Wives: 1/4 of the estate if the deceased had no children; 1/8 if there are children Husbands: 1/2 if no children; 1/4 if children Daughters: 1/2 each (if only one daughter, no sons); 2/3 shared (if two or more daughters, no sons) Father: 1/6 if the deceased has children; otherwise, he also takes residue as ‘asaba Mother: 1/6 if there are children or multiple siblings; 1/3 if none Full sisters (if no father, no sons): 1/2 each or 2/3 shared if multiple
The ‘Asabat (Residuaries)
After the fixed shares are distributed, the remaining estate goes to the nearest male agnatic relative in order of priority:
- Sons (and sons of sons, descending)
- Father
- Brothers (full, then paternal half-brothers)
- Paternal uncles and their descendants
The son typically takes the remainder but also doubles the share of daughters: “for a male, the equivalent of the share of two females” (4:11) — this principle (male gets double) applies when sons and daughters inherit together.
‘Awl and Radd
‘Awl (increase): when the fixed shares total more than 1 (e.g., a husband gets 1/2, two daughters get 2/3 — total exceeds 1), the shares are proportionally reduced. The estate is divided by the sum of the numerators as if the denominator is 1.
Radd (return): when no ‘asabat exist and the fixed shares total less than 1, the remainder returns to the fixed-share heirs proportionally — rather than going to the distant relatives or the state.
See also: Maqasid Al Shariah, Zakat And Khums, Waqf Islamic, Silat Al Rahim, Akhlaq, Al Nisa Surah