Faraid · Parents
Mother's Share of Inheritance in Islam: 1/6 or 1/3
A mother inherits 1/6 if the deceased left children or two or more siblings, and 1/3 otherwise. In two special cases (where the only other heirs are a spouse and the father) she takes 1/3 of the remainder.
Real estates combine heirs — the calculator resolves the precise fractions for your family
Direct answer
How much does a mother inherit in Islam?
A mother inherits 1/6 if the deceased left children or two or more siblings, and 1/3 otherwise. In two special cases (where the only other heirs are a spouse and the father) she takes 1/3 of the remainder.
A mother inherits 1/6 if the deceased left children or two or more siblings, and 1/3 otherwise. In two special cases (where the only other heirs are a spouse and the father) she takes 1/3 of the remainder.
- Deceased left children or 2+ siblings → 1/6
- No children and fewer than two siblings → 1/3
- Only a spouse and both parents survive (Umariyyatan) → 1/3 of remainder
- 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 Mother'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 children or 2+ siblings | 1/6 | The sixth as a fixed share. |
| No children and fewer than two siblings | 1/3 | The full third of the estate. |
| Only a spouse and both parents survive (Umariyyatan) | 1/3 of remainder | 1/3 of what is left after the spouse's share, not 1/3 of the whole. |
When the Share Changes or Is Blocked
A mother is a primary heir and is never excluded. Her share drops from 1/3 to 1/6 when the deceased leaves descendants or two or more siblings (the siblings 'screen' her down even though they may inherit nothing themselves).
Example: a person dies leaving a husband and both parents (no children)
This is the famous ʿUmariyyah case. The husband takes 1/2. The mother takes 1/3 of the remainder (i.e. 1/3 of the other half = 1/6 of the whole), and the father takes the rest as residue. The mother's 1/3 is applied to what remains after the spouse, not to the entire estate.
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
Like the father's share, a mother's Quranic 1/6 or 1/3 is routinely erased by U.S. intestacy when a spouse or children survive. Honoring a mother's inheritance right — a recurring emphasis in the Sunnah — requires an explicit Islamic will.
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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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