Breakdown
How it works
Fixed shares (Quran 4:11–12): husband ½ (¼ with children); wife ¼ (⅛ with children); mother ⅙ (⅓ if no children and fewer than two siblings); father ⅙ with children, otherwise the residue. Children take the residue, sons receiving twice a daughter's share; daughters alone take ½ (one) or ⅔ (two or more). If fixed shares exceed the estate they are scaled down (awl); surplus with no residuary heir is returned to sharers (radd).
Formula
Worked example
1,000,000 estate; wife, father, mother, 2 sons, 1 daughter: wife ⅛ = 125,000; father ⅙ = 166,667; mother ⅙ = 166,667; residue 541,667 → each son 216,667, daughter 108,333.
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave a will?
Up to one-third of the estate by bequest (wasiyyah) to non-heirs; heirs' shares are fixed. Non-Muslims in the UAE and DIFC can register wills opting out of Shariah distribution.
What is deducted first?
Funeral costs, debts (including mahr owed and zakat due), then bequests up to one-third; the remainder is distributed.
Do adopted or step-children inherit?
Not under faraid; provide for them through the one-third bequest or lifetime gifts.