What is Islamic Inheritance (Mirath)

Islamic Inheritance, known as Mirath (الميراث) or Faraid (الفرائض), is the system in Islam that explains how a deceased person’s wealth and property should be distributed among their relatives. These rules are clearly defined in the Qur’an and explained by the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The main guidance for inheritance comes from the Qur’an, especially in Surah An-Nisa (verses 11, 12, and 176). These verses describe the shares for family members such as parents, spouses, children, and siblings.

How the Islamic Inheritance Calculator Works

An Islamic Inheritance Calculator is a tool that helps Muslims estimate how a deceased person’s wealth should be distributed under Islamic law. These rules come from the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, mainly explained in Surah An-Nisa.

The calculator follows the same step-by-step process used in Islamic inheritance law (Faraid).

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1. Enter the Total Estate Value

First, the user enters the estate’s total value.
This may include:

• Money in bank accounts
• Property or land value
• Gold and other assets
• Business value
• Investments

The calculator uses this total amount to start the inheritance calculation.

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2. Deduct Funeral Expenses and Debts

According to Islamic law, the estate cannot be distributed immediately. Certain obligations must be paid first.

The calculator subtracts:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Any unpaid debts of the deceased

Only the remaining amount is considered for inheritance distribution.

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3. Apply the Wasiyyah (Will)

Islam allows a person to leave a will (Wasiyyah) for charity or non-heirs.

Important rule:

• The will cannot exceed one-third of the estate.

If a user enters a higher amount, the calculator automatically adjusts it to the maximum allowed limit.

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4. Identify the Heirs

Next, the user selects which family members are alive.
Common heirs include:

• Husband or wife
• Father and mother
• Sons and daughters
• Brothers and sisters
• Grandparents

The calculator identifies eligible heirs and also applies blocking rules (some heirs cannot inherit if closer relatives exist).

Example:

• If a son is alive, brothers usually do not inherit.

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5. Calculate Fixed Shares (Faraid)

Islamic inheritance law assigns fixed shares to certain heirs.

For example:

• Wife receives 1/8 if the deceased has children
• Husband receives 1/4 if the deceased has children
• Mother usually receives 1/6 when children exist

The calculator automatically assigns these shares according to Islamic rules.

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6. Distribute the Remaining Estate

After fixed shares are given, the remaining estate is distributed among children using the rule:

A son receives twice the share of a daughter.

Example:

If there is:

• 1 son
• 1 daughter

The inheritance is divided into three parts:

• Son receives two parts
• Daughter receives one part

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7. Show the Final Results

The calculator displays the results in a clear format:

• Each heir’s share
• Percentage of inheritance
• Exact monetary value

Many advanced calculators also show:

• Pie chart distribution
• Step-by-step explanation
• Downloadable inheritance report

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Important Note

An inheritance calculator provides an estimate based on general rules of Islamic law. Complex cases may involve additional factors such as:

• Multiple generations of heirs
• Missing relatives
• Special legal conditions

For such situations, it is recommended to consult a qualified Islamic scholar or a Faraid expert.

Why Islamic Inheritance Is Important

Islamic inheritance laws ensure that wealth is distributed fairly and justly among family members. Instead of leaving everything to one person, Islam assigns specific shares to eligible heirs.

This system helps to:

• Prevent family disputes after death
• Protect the rights of women and children
• Ensure fair wealth distribution
• Follow the commands of Allah

Qur’an Verses About Inheritance

Islamic inheritance laws are clearly explained in the Qur’an, mainly in Surah An-Nisa. These verses describe how wealth should be distributed among family members after a person passes away.

Below are the most important Qur’anic verses about inheritance.

1. Verse About Children and Parents

Surah An-Nisa 4:11

Arabic

يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَـٰدِكُمْ ۖ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ

English Meaning

Allah commands you regarding your children: for the male is the share of two females. If there are only daughters, two or more, they receive two-thirds of the inheritance. If there is only one daughter, she receives half. Parents also receive shares depending on whether the deceased had children.

Explanation

This verse explains:

• Sons receive double the share of daughters
• A single daughter receives half
• Two or more daughters receive two-thirds
• Parents receive fixed shares

2. Verse About Spouses

Surah An-Nisa 4:12

Arabic

وَلَكُمْ نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ أَزْوَٰجُكُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُنَّ وَلَدٌ

English Meaning

You (husbands) receive half of what your wives leave if they have no children. If they have children, you receive one-fourth.
Similarly, wives receive one-fourth if the husband has no children, and one-eighth if he has children.

Explanation

This verse explains:

• Husband receives 1/2 if wife has no children
• Husband receives 1/4 if children exist
• Wife receives 1/4 if husband has no children
• Wife receives 1/8 if children exist

3. Verse About Siblings

Surah An-Nisa 4:176

Arabic

يَسْتَفْتُونَكَ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ يُفْتِيكُمْ فِى ٱلْكَلَـٰلَةِ

English Meaning

They ask you for a ruling. Say: Allah gives you a ruling concerning one who dies leaving no parents and no children. If a man dies and leaves a sister, she receives half of his estate. If there are two sisters, they receive two-thirds.

Explanation

This verse explains inheritance when:

• The deceased has no parents or children
• Siblings become the heirs

4. Verse About Justice in Distribution

Surah An-Nisa 4:7

Arabic

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ

English Meaning

For men is a share of what parents and relatives leave, and for women is a share of what parents and relatives leave, whether it is little or much.

Explanation

This verse establishes an important principle:

✔ Both men and women have rights to inheritance.

Before Islam, women often did not receive inheritance. This verse established fairness in wealth distribution.

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Summary of Main Qur’an Inheritance Verses

Verse	Topic
Surah An-Nisa 4:7	Right of men and women to inherit
Surah An-Nisa 4:11	Shares of children and parents
Surah An-Nisa 4:12	Shares of spouses
Surah An-Nisa 4:176	The right of men and women to inherit

Example Calculation of Islamic Inheritance (Mirath)

Let’s take a practical example to see how a modern Islamic inheritance calculator works. This example uses common Sunni Faraid rules.

Frequently Asked Questions, Islamic Inheritance Calculator

Conclusion

The Islamic Inheritance system in Islam is a divine law designed to ensure justice and balance in society. These rules were revealed in the Qur’an and explained through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. By following these guidelines, Muslims distribute wealth fairly and prevent family disputes.