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.
An Islamic will is the only way to make sure the father's Quranic share is honored instead of your state's default intestacy rules. ShariaWiz builds scholar-reviewed, state-specific Islamic wills and trusts — an Islamic will from $199, with a built-in Faraid engine.
Create an Islamic will at ShariaWizPartner link — HalalWallet may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure.
Shares of other heirs
The Final Step: Your Scholar Conversation
Major Islamic inheritance (Faraid) decisions involve nuances that vary by scholarly opinion and personal circumstance — which is why HalalWallet is built as the research step, not the ruling. We do the homework on comparisons, structures, and oversight; a qualified Islamic scholar, your local imam, or a Shariah-certified financial advisor covers what no comparison site can — guidance specific to your situation. Bring your shortlist to that conversation so it starts at the decision, not the basics.
How to use this comparison: HalalWallet is an independent educational comparison platform — by design, we do not provide financial, legal, or religious advice. We do the research homework so your final checks are quick and personal.
Product structures and Shariah oversight vary by provider, so finish with three built-in steps:
- Confirm current terms and halal compliance directly with the provider — their quote is final.
- Review the contract structure (Murabaha, Ijara, Musharakah, etc.) and any disclosed Shariah board opinions.
- Bring your shortlist to a qualified Islamic finance advisor or scholar, so the conversation is about your situation, not the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and review process
This page is reviewed against HalalWallet editorial standards and source documentation.
Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-07-01
How to cite this page
Preferred format (HTML):
For time-sensitive claims (rates, fees, state availability), please verify directly with the provider's official documentation and note the retrieval date.
Editorial Team, HalalWallet
Independent halal finance research
Reviewed quarterly and updated for major content changes.