Calculate the distribution of an estate according to Islamic Sharia law (Faraid). This tool provides a preliminary breakdown for primary heirs based on standard Sunni jurisprudence.
Distribution Results
| Heir | Share (%) | Amount |
|---|
A) What is an Islamic Inheritance Calculator?
An Islamic Inheritance Calculator, often referred to as a Faraid Calculator, is a digital tool designed to help Muslims distribute the estate of a deceased person according to the specific mandates found in the Quran and Sunnah. In Islam, the distribution of wealth after death is not left to the discretion of the individual (except for up to one-third of the estate, known as Wasiyyah); instead, fixed shares are allocated to specific relatives.
This system ensures that wealth is circulated within the family, protecting the financial rights of widows, parents, and children alike. Our calculator simplifies these complex mathematical ratios into easy-to-understand figures.
B) Formula and Explanation of Shares
The rules of Islamic inheritance (Ilm al-Faraid) are primarily derived from Surah An-Nisa. The calculation follows a hierarchy:
- Zawil Furud (Fixed Sharers): Those whose shares are explicitly mentioned (e.g., Wife gets 1/8 if there are children).
- Asabah (Residuaries): Those who take the remaining estate after fixed sharers are paid (e.g., Sons).
- Hajb (Exclusion): The presence of certain relatives may exclude others (e.g., a son excludes brothers and sisters).
| Heir | Condition | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | No children / With children | 1/2 or 1/4 |
| Wife | No children / With children | 1/4 or 1/8 |
| Daughter | Single / Two or more (no son) | 1/2 or 2/3 total |
| Father | If children exist | 1/6 + Residue |
C) Practical Examples
Example 1: A man passes away leaving a wife, two sons, and one daughter. The estate is $100,000.
- The Wife receives 1/8 ($12,500).
- The remaining $87,500 is split among the children in a 2:1 ratio (Sons get double).
- Each Son gets $35,000; the Daughter gets $17,500.
Example 2: A woman passes away leaving a husband and both parents, with no children.
- The Husband receives 1/2.
- The Mother receives 1/3.
- The Father receives the remaining 1/6 (as residue).
D) How to Use the Calculator Step-by-Step
- Enter Net Estate: Input the total value after paying off funeral expenses and debts.
- Select Deceased Gender: This determines if the spouse is a husband or wife.
- Indicate Parents: Toggle whether the father or mother of the deceased are alive.
- Input Children: Enter the number of sons and daughters.
- Review Distribution: The table will automatically update with the percentage and monetary value for each heir.
E) Key Factors in Distribution
Before using this calculator, ensure you have accounted for these three critical steps required by Sharia:
- Funeral Expenses: These are taken from the estate first.
- Debts: All outstanding debts (to people or to Allah, like Zakat) must be cleared.
- Wasiyyah (Will): Up to 1/3 of the remaining estate can be given to non-heirs or charities if specified in a will.
F) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why do sons get twice as much as daughters?
Under Sharia, men are financially responsible for the maintenance of their wives, children, and sometimes extended female relatives, whereas women's inheritance is theirs to keep entirely.
2. What is 'Aul'?
Aul is a process where the total shares exceed 1. In such cases, all shares are reduced proportionately.
3. What is 'Radd'?
Radd is the opposite of Aul; it occurs when there is a surplus after all fixed shares are distributed and there are no residuaries.
4. Does the calculator handle step-children?
No, step-children do not inherit under Faraid unless they were legally adopted (though adoption has different rules in Islam) or mentioned in a Wasiyyah.
5. What if the deceased has no children?
The shares of the parents and spouse typically increase, and siblings may become eligible heirs.
6. Can a non-Muslim relative inherit?
Generally, under traditional Faraid, a non-Muslim does not inherit from a Muslim, but they can be gifted up to 1/3 via Wasiyyah.
7. Is this calculator valid for all sects?
This tool follows the general Sunni (Hanafi/Shafi'i) consensus. Shia inheritance rules differ significantly.
8. Should I consult a lawyer?
Yes. This tool is for educational purposes. Legal estate planning should involve a qualified Mufti and a legal professional.
G) Related Tools
- Zakat Calculator - Calculate your annual obligatory charity.
- Islamic Loan Amortization - Interest-free loan scheduling.
- Mahr Estimator - Comparison of historical dowry trends.