The Six Fixed Fractions (Furud Muqaddara)
The Quran specifies six fixed fractions:
| Fraction | Who receives it |
|---|---|
| 1/2 | Husband (if no child), daughter (sole surviving), father’s daughter (sole surviving), full sister (sole surviving) |
| 1/4 | Husband (if child exists), wife (if no child) |
| 1/8 | Wife/wives (if child exists) |
| 2/3 | Two or more daughters, two or more full sisters |
| 1/3 | Mother (if no child and no two or more siblings), two or more maternal siblings |
| 1/6 | Father (when child exists), mother (when child or two siblings exist), maternal sibling |
’Asaba: The Residual Heirs
After the furud-holders receive their shares, the remainder goes to the ‘asaba — male agnate relatives in order of closeness: son, then son’s son, then father, then brother, then father’s brother, and so on. The ‘asaba can be:
- ‘Asaba bi-nafsih: takes residual independently (e.g., son)
- ‘Asaba bil-ghayr: male heir pulled in by a parallel female (e.g., brother + sister together — the brother’s ‘asaba pulls the sister in)
- ‘Asaba ma’a ghayr: daughter/son’s daughter in presence of full/half sisters
’Awl and Radd
‘Awl (increase): when the furud shares add up to more than the estate, each heir’s fraction is reduced proportionally. Example: husband (1/2) + two sisters (2/3) + mother (1/6) = 4/3 — impossible. The denominator is raised (made ‘awl) so each gets a reduced proportional share.
Radd (return): when the furud shares add up to less than the estate and no ‘asaba exists, the surplus is returned proportionally to the furud-holders (excluding the spouse).
See also: Fiqh Al Mawarith, Fiqh Al Wasiyyah, Fiqh Al Dayn, Fiqh Al Aqd, Dai Al Mutlaq, Waqf