Faraid worked example
Islamic Inheritance Shares: Wife, Mother, 2 Sons and 2 Daughters
A searched-for composition: a man dies leaving his wife, his mother (his father having died earlier) and four children. The wife takes 1/8, the mother takes 1/6, and the four children divide the remaining 17/24 at two shares per son and one per daughter.
What does each heir receive when a man dies leaving wife, 2 sons, 2 daughters and mother?
Wife, Mother, 2 Sons and 2 Daughters: Wife 1/8, Mother 1/6, Sons (2) 17/36, Daughters (2) 17/72. On a $600,000 estate that is $75,000 to wife, $100,000 to mother, $283,333 to sons (2), $141,667 to daughters (2).
Source: HalalWallet (halalwallet.us)
Why each heir gets that share
Wife
1/8 because children survive (Quran 4:12).
Mother
1/6 because the deceased left children (Quran 4:11). Her share would also be 1/6 with no children but two or more siblings; it rises to 1/3 only when there are neither.
Sons and daughters
The residue of 17/24 is divided into six parts (2 + 2 + 1 + 1): each son takes 2/6 of it and each daughter 1/6 of it.
Run it with your own numbers
The calculator below is pre-filled with this family. Change the estate value, add debts or a bequest, or toggle an heir to see how the shares move.
Gender of the Deceased
Estate Details
Distributable estate: $600,000
Surviving Heirs
Select all heirs who survived the deceased. Blocked heirs are handled automatically.
Inheritance Distribution
Quranic Sources
- Wife: Quran 4:12 - 1/8 (with children), divided equally
- Mother: Quran 4:11 - 1/6 (with children)
- Sons (2): Quran 4:11 - Residuary (male share = 2× female share)
- Daughters (2): Quran 4:11 - Residuary with sons (male share = 2× female share)
These shares aren't legally binding yet
Without a state-valid Islamic will, U.S. intestacy law ignores Faraid and a court decides who inherits. Lock in this distribution with a scholar-approved, state-specific Islamic will.
Valid in all 50 states · Independently validated by 2025 peer-reviewed research
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.
Other family situations, worked out
Wife, 2 Sons and 1 Daughter
Husband, 1 Son and 2 Daughters
Wife, Father, Mother and 1 Son
Husband, 5 Sons and 3 Daughters
Two Wives, 1 Son and 2 Daughters
2 Daughters, Father and Mother (No Sons)
Husband and 1 Daughter (Radd Case)
Wife, Father and Mother (No Children)
Husband, Father and Mother (No Children)
Husband, Mother and 2 Full Sisters ('Awl Case)
Wife, 2 Full Brothers and 1 Full Sister (No Children or Parents)
1 Daughter, Mother and 1 Full Brother
Father, Mother and 2 Full Brothers (Unmarried, No Children)
Wife, 1 Daughter and 1 Full Brother
Make these shares legally enforceable
State intestacy law will not apply these fractions on its own. A state-valid Islamic will, or an Islamic living trust if you want to avoid probate, is what turns this table into a binding plan.
The Final Step: Your Scholar Conversation
Major Islamic inheritance (Faraid) decisions involve nuances that vary by scholarly opinion and personal circumstance - which is why HalalWallet is built as the research step, not the ruling. We do the homework on comparisons, structures, and oversight; a qualified Islamic scholar, your local imam, or a Shariah-certified financial advisor covers what no comparison site can - guidance specific to your situation. Bring your shortlist to that conversation so it starts at the decision, not the basics.
How to use this comparison: Scholars rule; we organize the evidence. HalalWallet is an independent educational comparison platform - by design, we do not issue fatwas or provide financial, legal, or tax advice. We do the research homework so your final checks are quick and personal. Where our role ends and who takes over.
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This page is reviewed against HalalWallet editorial standards and source documentation.
Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01
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Shares are computed by the calculator engine at render time; the narrative is reviewed quarterly.