Faraid · Children
Son's Share of Inheritance in Islam: Residuary (ʿasaba)
A son is a residuary heir (ʿasaba): he does not take a fixed fraction but inherits the remainder after the fixed-share heirs are paid, and where a daughter is also present a son receives twice her share.
Real estates combine heirs — the calculator resolves the precise fractions for your family
Direct answer
How much does a son inherit in Islam?
A son is a residuary heir (ʿasaba): he does not take a fixed fraction but inherits the remainder after the fixed-share heirs are paid, and where a daughter is also present a son receives twice her share.
A son is a residuary heir (ʿasaba): he does not take a fixed fraction but inherits the remainder after the fixed-share heirs are paid, and where a daughter is also present a son receives twice her share.
- Son with no other children → Entire residue
- Sons and daughters together → 2:1 ratio
- 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 Son'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Son with no other children | Entire residue | Takes all that remains after spouse and parents' fixed shares. |
| Sons and daughters together | 2:1 ratio | Each son receives twice the share of each daughter (Quran 4:11). |
When the Share Changes or Is Blocked
A son is never blocked — he is the strongest residuary heir and in turn blocks or reduces many others (e.g. he reduces a spouse and each parent, and excludes the deceased's siblings and grandchildren through sons).
Example: a man dies leaving a wife, a son, and two daughters
The wife takes 1/8. The remaining 7/8 is split among the children as ʿasaba in a 2:1 ratio: counting the son as 2 'parts' and each daughter as 1, there are 4 parts. The son takes 2/4 of the 7/8, and each daughter takes 1/4 of the 7/8.
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 may treat sons and daughters identically and can hand a disproportionate share to a surviving spouse, so the Quranic 2:1 structure and the parents' shares are lost unless the father leaves a valid Islamic will directing distribution by Faraid.
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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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