Skip to main content
HalalWallet is now on iOS — budgeting, zakat & major-purchase planning

Islamic Inheritance Calculator (Faraid)

A free Sharia inheritance calculator based on the Quran and Sunnah. Enter the estate details and select surviving heirs to see the exact faraid distribution - each heir's property share in Islam - with Quranic sources.

Gender of the Deceased

Estate Details

$
$
$

Surviving Heirs

Select all heirs who survived the deceased. Blocked heirs are handled automatically.

Wife/Wives
0
Sons
0
Daughters
0

Enter estate details and select heirs, then click "Calculate Distribution" to see the Islamic inheritance breakdown.

Important: This calculator provides a general estimate based on standard Sunni Faraid rules. Islamic inheritance can vary by school of jurisprudence (madhab) and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified Islamic scholar and a licensed attorney for actual estate planning.

Islamic Estate Planning Tips

Get guidance on Faraid, wills, and halal estate planning.

How Islamic Inheritance Works

1

Settle Debts First

All outstanding debts are paid from the estate before any inheritance distribution. This is obligatory and takes priority over all shares.

2

Fulfill Bequests (Wassiyah)

Up to one-third of the remaining estate can be distributed as bequests to non-heirs or charitable causes, as specified in the deceased's will.

3

Assign Fixed Shares

The Quran prescribes exact fractions (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 2/3, 1/3, 1/6) for specific heirs. These shares are assigned first and are non-negotiable.

4

Distribute the Residuary

After fixed shares are assigned, the remainder goes to residuary heirs (Asaba) - typically sons, then brothers, then other male relatives - with males receiving twice the female share in the same class.

Quranic References

Surah An-Nisa 4:11

"Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male is equal to the share of two females..."

Establishes children's and parents' shares.

Surah An-Nisa 4:12

"And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child..."

Establishes spouse and maternal sibling shares.

Surah An-Nisa 4:176

"If a man dies leaving no child but only a sister, she will have half of what he left..."

Establishes sibling shares (Kalalah case).

Common Inheritance Scenarios

These are the family situations Muslim families search for most often. Each is handled automatically above - select the surviving heirs and the calculator applies the correct fixed shares, residuary (asaba) rules, and blocking.

Husband, sons and daughters

The husband takes 1/4 because children survive; the remaining 3/4 passes to the children as residuary, with each son receiving twice a daughter's share.

Wife, parents and a son

The wife takes 1/8, the mother 1/6, and the father 1/6; the son takes the entire residue as the nearest male heir (asaba).

Wife, mother, grandfather and daughters

The wife takes 1/8 and the mother 1/6. Two or more daughters share 2/3. When the father is absent, the paternal grandfather inherits - his exact share depends on the remaining estate and the school of jurisprudence, so calculate your precise case above.

Only daughters (no sons)

One daughter takes 1/2; two or more daughters share 2/3. Whether daughters then block more distant relatives or receive the residue (radd) varies by scholarly view - the calculator follows the majority position.

Once you know each heir's share, the next step is making it legally enforceable. U.S. intestacy law does not follow Faraid, so a state-valid Islamic will is what turns this calculation into a binding plan. If you own assets in multiple states or want to avoid probate, an Islamic living trust or Family Waqf may fit better. See our Islamic estate planning comparison for the providers that draft them.

Property Share in Islam: How a House or Land Is Divided

Islamic inheritance law makes no distinction between types of assets. The family home, land, rental property, cash, gold, and investments are combined into one estate, and each heir's share applies to the total value - not to individual assets. A wife entitled to 1/8 receives 1/8 of everything, not 1/8 of the house and nothing else.

Worked example: a man passes away leaving a wife, two sons, and one daughter. His estate is a $400,000 house plus $100,000 in savings - $500,000 total after debts.

HeirShareHow it's computedAmount
Wife1/8Fixed share when children survive (Quran 4:12)$62,500
Each son2/5 of residueChildren split the remaining $437,500 in a 2:2:1 ratio$175,000
Daughter1/5 of residueHalf of each brother's share (Quran 4:11)$87,500

Does the house have to be sold? No. The heirs become co-owners of the property in proportion to their shares. They can keep it jointly, sell it and divide the proceeds by the same fractions, or one heir can buy out the others at fair market value - any arrangement is valid as long as every heir consents and receives their full share's worth.

One U.S.-specific trap: a home titled as joint tenancy with right of survivorship passes automatically to the surviving co-owner and never enters the estate - which means the faraid shares are silently bypassed for the family's largest asset. Muslim homeowners who want the Quranic distribution to apply typically retitle as tenants in common and pair it with a state-valid Islamic will. Our estate planning guide covers how to set this up correctly.

Why this matters now: only 24% of American adults have a will, per the Caring.com 2025 Wills & Estate Planning Study (conducted with YouGov, 2,500+ adults) - down from 33% in 2022. For the three out of four Muslim families with no will, the shares calculated above never take effect: state intestacy law divides the property instead, on formulas that ignore faraid entirely.

Expert answers on Faraid mechanics

Watch these concise explanations for core inheritance calculation rules.

Expert insight attributed to Abed Awad, Esq. (attorney and Islamic law expert).

Video 2

What is the foundational structure of Islamic inheritance law?

Distribution starts with fixed-share heirs, then residuary allocation, and in rare cases distant kindred rules.

Watch full explanation

Video 4

What is ta'sib?

Ta'sib distributes estate residue to eligible heirs after fixed shares are assigned.

Watch full explanation

Video 5

What is awl?

Awl proportionally reduces shares when prescribed fractions exceed the total estate.

Watch full explanation

Video 3

What is the difference between radd and ta'sib?

Radd redistributes surplus proportionally to existing heirs; ta'sib assigns residue to a separate class of residuary heirs.

Watch full explanation

Video 6

What happens when only daughters survive?

Majority and modern scholarly views differ on whether daughters can block collateral heirs and receive residue.

Watch full explanation

Video 34

Why do sons sometimes receive larger shares?

Historical obligations tied to maintenance responsibilities explain the share difference, with practical modern planning options available.

Watch full explanation

Browse all 31 expert videos →

Islamic Inheritance (Faraid)

How much each heir inherits, explained

Islamic Estate Planning

Compare Islamic will platforms

Zakat Calculator

Calculate your Zakat obligation

Islamic Mortgage Calculator

Compare Ijara vs Musharaka

Mahr Calculator

Set a fair mahr (a deferred mahr is a debt at death)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Faraid (Islamic inheritance law)?

Faraid is the Islamic system of inheritance distribution prescribed in the Quran (Surah An-Nisa 4:11-12, 4:176). It specifies exact shares for each heir - spouse, children, parents, siblings, and other relatives - ensuring a fair and predetermined distribution of wealth.

How is property divided in Islam after death?

Property in Islam is divided according to the fixed shares in the Quran (4:11-12, 4:176). After debts and up to one-third in bequests are settled, each heir receives a prescribed share of all property - real estate, cash, gold, investments, and business assets alike. For example, a wife receives 1/8 if there are children, a husband 1/4, and a son receives twice the share of a daughter. This calculator computes each heir's exact property share for any combination of surviving relatives.

What is a daughter's share in her father's property in Islam?

If the daughter has brothers, she receives half of what each brother receives (Quran 4:11) - the children together take the estate remaining after fixed shares. If there are no sons, a single daughter receives 1/2 of the estate and two or more daughters share 2/3 between them, with the remainder going to other heirs such as the parents. Use the calculator above to compute the exact fraction and dollar amount for your family's situation.

Who are the heirs that can never be excluded?

Six heirs can never be blocked from inheritance: the husband, wife, father, mother, son, and daughter. Other heirs may be blocked depending on which closer relatives are present.

What is 'Awl in Islamic inheritance?

'Awl is the proportional reduction of shares when the total prescribed shares exceed 100% of the estate. This established ruling ensures all heirs receive a proportionally fair share even when the Quran-specified fractions sum to more than the whole.

What is Radd?

Radd is the redistribution of surplus estate when the total prescribed shares are less than 100%. The surplus is distributed proportionally to non-spouse heirs. Spouse shares remain fixed and are not increased through Radd.

What is the Wassiyah (bequest) and its limit?

A Wassiyah is a bequest (will) that allows a person to direct up to one-third of their estate to charitable causes or non-inheriting individuals. The remaining two-thirds (or more) must be distributed according to Faraid. Bequests to Quranic heirs are generally not permitted, as their shares are already fixed.

Why does a son inherit twice the share of a daughter?

In Islamic law, the male-to-female 2:1 ratio in residuary inheritance reflects the greater financial obligations placed on men - including the obligation to provide for the family (nafaqah), pay mahr (dowry), and bear financial responsibility for dependents. A daughter's inheritance is entirely her own with no such obligations.

Does this calculator follow a specific school of jurisprudence?

This calculator implements standard Sunni Faraid rules based on the majority scholarly consensus. There may be differences of opinion in specific edge cases (e.g., grandfather with siblings) across the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools. Always consult a qualified scholar for complex situations.

Is the result from this calculator legally binding in the U.S.?

No. This calculator shows how your estate should be divided under Faraid, but U.S. courts apply state intestacy law, which ignores Islamic inheritance entirely. To make this distribution legally enforceable you need a state-valid Islamic will (wasiyyah). Online platforms such as ShariaWiz draft a scholar-approved, state-specific Islamic will in all 50 states; for couples, an Islamic living trust can also avoid probate.

How does Islamic inheritance (Faraid) work?

Islamic inheritance follows rules prescribed in the Quran (4:11-12, 4:176) that assign specific fractions to each heir. Debts are settled first, then bequests (up to 1/3), then the remainder is distributed: spouses, parents, and children receive fixed shares, with the residuary going to the closest male relative. Sons receive twice the share of daughters.

Source: HalalWallet (halalwallet.us)

Sources and review process

This page is reviewed against HalalWallet editorial standards and source documentation.

Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team

Last reviewed: September 2026

    How to cite this page

    Preferred format (HTML):

    According to HalalWallet (“Islamic Inheritance Calculator (Faraid)”, , retrieved 2026-09-13).

    For time-sensitive claims (rates, fees, state availability), please verify directly with the provider's official documentation and note the retrieval date.

    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.
    HW
    HalalWallet Editorial Team

    Editorial Team, HalalWallet

    Independent halal finance research

    Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-09-10Disclosure: Featured partners may compensate HalalWallet for clicks. Editorial policy and full disclosures.

    Reviewed quarterly and updated when provider data, product availability, or pricing changes.