Islamic Inheritance Calculator

Faraid (Arabic: فرائض) is the Islamic science of inheritance and one of the most precisely defined areas of Islamic law. Unlike many other rulings that are derived through scholarly interpretation (ijtihad), the inheritance shares are explicitly stated in the Quran with exact fractions — making this one of the few areas where Allah Himself details the exact portions for each heir.

The Quranic Foundation

The primary verses governing Islamic inheritance are found in Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4) of the Quran. Verses 11 and 12 lay out the shares for children, parents, and spouses, while verse 176 (known as the Kalalah verse) addresses the inheritance of siblings when the deceased has no children or parents. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of this knowledge, saying: “Learn the laws of inheritance and teach them to people, for it is half of knowledge.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Fixed Shares (Ashab al-Furud)

The Quran prescribes six specific fractions that form the basis of Islamic inheritance: one-half (1/2), one-quarter (1/4), one-eighth (1/8), two-thirds (2/3), one-third (1/3), and one-sixth (1/6). Each heir's share depends on their relationship to the deceased and the presence of other heirs. For example, a wife receives 1/8 if the deceased husband has children, or 1/4 if he has no children. A husband receives 1/4 if the deceased wife has children, or 1/2 if she has no children.

Residual Heirs (Asaba)

After the fixed shares are distributed, the remainder goes to the residual heirs (asaba). Sons are the primary residual heirs. When sons and daughters inherit together, the Quran states in verse 4:11: “for the male, what is equal to the share of two females.” If there are no sons, the father (when no children exist) or brothers may take the residual share. This 2:1 ratio reflects broader financial responsibilities that Islamic law places on men, including the obligation to provide for the family (nafaqah).

Debts Before Inheritance

A critical principle in Islamic inheritance is that debts must be settled first. The Quran repeatedly qualifies inheritance shares with the phrase “after any bequest he may have made or debt” (Quran 4:11). The order of priority is: funeral expenses, debt repayment, bequests (limited to 1/3 of the estate), and finally distribution to heirs. This ensures that the rights of creditors are protected before any inheritance is divided.

Awl and Radd

Two special cases arise in inheritance calculations. Awl (increase) occurs when the total prescribed shares exceed 100% of the estate. In this case, all shares are proportionally reduced. Radd (return) occurs when the total shares are less than 100% and there are no residual heirs — the surplus is returned proportionally to the fixed-share heirs (excluding the spouse according to the majority view). Both concepts ensure fair and complete distribution of the estate.

Why Use an Inheritance Calculator?

Islamic inheritance calculations can become complex, especially when multiple heirs are involved and special cases like Awl arise. This free calculator automates the fraction arithmetic and applies all the Quranic rules to give you an accurate breakdown. However, it is important to note that real-world inheritance cases may involve additional considerations — such as grandchildren, half-siblings, or estate planning — that require consultation with a qualified Islamic scholar or mufti.