Faraid · Siblings
Maternal half-siblings's Share of Inheritance in Islam: 1/6 or 1/3 (shared equally)
Maternal half-siblings (brothers or sisters who share only the mother) take a fixed 1/6 if one, or share 1/3 equally if two or more. Uniquely, they divide equally regardless of gender. They are blocked by any descendant and by the father or paternal grandfather.
Real estates combine heirs — the calculator resolves the precise fractions for your family
Direct answer
How much does a maternal half-siblings inherit in Islam?
Maternal half-siblings (brothers or sisters who share only the mother) take a fixed 1/6 if one, or share 1/3 equally if two or more. Uniquely, they divide equally regardless of gender. They are blocked by any descendant and by the father or paternal grandfather.
Maternal half-siblings (brothers or sisters who share only the mother) take a fixed 1/6 if one, or share 1/3 equally if two or more. Uniquely, they divide equally regardless of gender. They are blocked by any descendant and by the father or paternal grandfather.
- One maternal half-sibling → 1/6
- Two or more maternal half-siblings → 1/3 (shared)
- Deceased left a descendant, father, or paternal grandfather → Blocked
- 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 Maternal half-siblings's Quranic Share by Situation
The basis is Surah An-Nisa 4:12. The share depends on which other heirs survive the deceased:
| Situation | Share | Note |
|---|---|---|
| One maternal half-sibling | 1/6 | A fixed sixth (4:12). |
| Two or more maternal half-siblings | 1/3 (shared) | Divided equally — male and female alike. |
| Deceased left a descendant, father, or paternal grandfather | Blocked | Any of these excludes them entirely. |
When the Share Changes or Is Blocked
Maternal half-siblings are blocked by any child or grandchild of the deceased and by the father or paternal grandfather. Unlike all other siblings, when they inherit they share equally without the 2:1 male-to-female ratio.
Example: a woman dies leaving a husband, her mother, and two maternal half-brothers
The husband takes 1/2, the mother takes 1/6 (two or more siblings screen her down), and the two maternal half-brothers share 1/3 equally. In some configurations the shares total exactly one; in others ʿawl applies. The calculator handles it precisely.
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
The equal, gender-blind 1/6 or 1/3 for maternal half-siblings is one of the most distinctive Faraid rules and is entirely absent from U.S. intestacy. Only an Islamic will preserves it.
An Islamic will is the only way to make sure the maternal half-siblings'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
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.
Important: HalalWallet is an educational comparison platform. We do not provide financial, legal, or religious advice.
Product structures and Shariah-compliance oversight vary by provider. Before applying:
- Verify halal compliance directly with the provider.
- Review the contract structure (Murabaha, Ijara, Musharakah, etc.) and any disclosed Shariah board opinions.
- Consult a qualified Islamic finance advisor or scholar for guidance on your individual circumstances.
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: 2026-06-01
How to cite this page
Preferred format:
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.