Faraid · Parents
Father's Share of Inheritance in Islam: 1/6 (+ residue)
A father inherits a fixed 1/6 when the deceased leaves children. If there is no male descendant he also takes the remaining residue, and with no descendants at all he can inherit as a pure residuary heir.
Real estates combine heirs — the calculator resolves the precise fractions for your family
Direct answer
How much does a father inherit in Islam?
A father inherits a fixed 1/6 when the deceased leaves children. If there is no male descendant he also takes the remaining residue, and with no descendants at all he can inherit as a pure residuary heir.
A father inherits a fixed 1/6 when the deceased leaves children. If there is no male descendant he also takes the remaining residue, and with no descendants at all he can inherit as a pure residuary heir.
- Deceased left a son or son's son → 1/6 fixed
- Deceased left only daughters (no sons) → 1/6 + residue
- Deceased left no children → Residuary
- Combined heirs trigger blocking, ʿawl, and radd — use the Faraid calculator
- U.S. intestacy does not produce these shares — an Islamic will is required
The Father's Quranic Share by Situation
The basis is Surah An-Nisa 4:11. The share depends on which other heirs survive the deceased:
| Situation | Share | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deceased left a son or son's son | 1/6 fixed | Only the sixth; the male descendant takes the residue. |
| Deceased left only daughters (no sons) | 1/6 + residue | The sixth as a fixed share plus whatever remains after the daughters' shares. |
| Deceased left no children | Residuary | Takes the remainder after the spouse and mother's shares. |
When the Share Changes or Is Blocked
A father is never excluded. He always receives at least 1/6 when descendants exist, and more when they do not. The father also blocks the deceased's siblings and grandparents on his side.
Example: a man dies leaving a wife, father, mother, and a son
The wife takes 1/8, the father takes 1/6, the mother takes 1/6, and the son takes the entire remaining residue. Because a male descendant (the son) is present, the father is capped at his fixed 1/6 rather than also taking residue.
Want this resolved for your own family? Run it through the Faraid calculator — it applies blocking, ʿawl, and radd automatically.
Why U.S. Law Won't Deliver This Share
U.S. intestacy frequently leaves nothing to a surviving parent when a spouse or children exist — directly contradicting the parents' guaranteed Quranic 1/6. A Muslim's Islamic will is the only way to ensure their mother and father receive the shares Allah obligated for them.
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Shares of other heirs
Consider Consulting an Islamic Scholar
Major Islamic inheritance (Faraid) decisions often involve nuances that vary by scholarly opinion and personal circumstance. While HalalWallet provides educational comparisons and tools, we are not scholars or financial advisors. For personal guidance on Shariah compliance, consider speaking with a qualified Islamic scholar, your local imam, or a Shariah-certified financial advisor familiar with your situation.
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-06-01
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