For new Muslims & reverts
You Became Muslim. What Happens to Inheritance With Your Non-Muslim Family?
Embracing Islam changes your inheritance picture overnight — and it raises a tender question for almost every revert: can my non-Muslim parents still inherit from me, and I from them? The short answer is that automatic Quranic inheritance doesn't flow between a Muslim and a non-Muslim — but Islam leaves you a clear, generous way to care for the family who raised you. Here's how it works, and what to set up.
ShariaWiz · scholar-reviewed · Islamic will from $199
Direct answer
Can my non-Muslim parents inherit from me in Islam?
Not through Faraid — automatic Quranic inheritance doesn't flow between a Muslim and a non-Muslim. But you can provide for your non-Muslim parents through the optional one-third bequest (wasiyyah) in your Islamic will.
When you become Muslim, automatic Quranic inheritance no longer flows between you and your non-Muslim relatives — your non-Muslim parents aren't your Faraid heirs, and you aren't theirs. You can still provide for them through the optional one-third bequest (wasiyyah). Because U.S. intestacy would otherwise send your estate to your non-Muslim next of kin by default, creating an Islamic will is one of the most important early steps for a revert.
- No automatic inheritance between a Muslim and a non-Muslim (hadith)
- Non-Muslim parents can receive up to 1/3 via the wasiyyah bequest
- Accepting a gift/bequest left to you by non-Muslim family is generally allowed
- With few Muslim relatives, your will directs the remainder (often to charity)
- Set up: an Islamic will, beneficiary forms, and a healthcare directive
The Muslim / Non-Muslim Inheritance Rule
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The Muslim does not inherit from the disbeliever, nor does the disbeliever inherit from the Muslim" (Bukhari & Muslim). The majority of scholars apply this to mean there is no automatic Faraid inheritance between a Muslim and a non-Muslim relative in either direction. It's important to understand what this does not mean: it does not forbid kindness, gifts, financial support, or honoring your parents — all of which Islam strongly commands, even toward non-Muslim parents (Surah Luqman 31:15). It only removes the default, share-based inheritance.
Providing for Your Family the Halal Way
The bridge is the one-third bequest (wasiyyah). You may direct up to one-third of your estate to anyone who isn't already a Faraid heir — and since your non-Muslim parents aren't Faraid heirs, they are eligible. Many reverts use part of their one-third to honor the parents who raised them and direct the rest to charity or Muslim causes as sadaqah jariyah. Your Muslim heirs (a Muslim spouse and children, if any) receive their Quranic shares from the remaining two-thirds.
Not sure who your Faraid heirs even are yet? Start with the Islamic inheritance guide and the Faraid calculator.
What a New Muslim Should Set Up First
Your inheritance picture changed the day you said the shahada, but U.S. law has no idea. Without an Islamic will, your state's default rules will hand everything to your non-Muslim next of kin in proportions you never chose — and may leave nothing for the causes and people you'd want to support.
ShariaWiz can put all three in place: an Islamic will (with your wasiyyah bequest and Islamic funeral wishes), a healthcare directive recording your end-of-life and burial preferences for family who may not share them, and — where helpful — a trust. Scholar-reviewed and state-specific; Islamic will from $199.
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Consider Consulting an Islamic Scholar
Major inheritance for new Muslims and reverts 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:
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- 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.
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-06-09
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