Written by:
Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq
Anjuman Ghulzar-e-Madina International
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In Islam, inheritance is not merely a matter of distributing wealth; rather, it is a profound test of justice, trust, and adherence to the limits set by Allah Almighty. Unfortunately, in many societies inheritance is treated as a personal entitlement, personal earning, or even a matter of power. This misunderstanding often leads to injustice, severed family ties, and bitter disputes. The Qur’an and Sunnah clearly reject such thinking.
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This wealth is not our ownership; it is the hard work of our parents
The most fundamental principle is this:
The wealth left behind by parents is not the earning of their children.
It is the result of a lifetime of effort, sacrifice, patience, struggle, and perseverance of the parents.
Children have:
• no personal ownership over it
• no inherent claim based on effort or contribution
Rather:
Their right exists only because they are the children of the deceased.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ﴾
“For men there is a share in what parents and close relatives leave behind, and for women there is a share.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 7)
This verse makes it clear that:
• inheritance is not based on personal earning,
• but on the relationship with the one who left the estate.
In other words:
This is not a right of ownership, but a granted right.
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Inheritance is a law set by Allah, not human choice
In Islam, the shares of inheritance:
• were not fixed by parents,
• were not decided by children,
• nor created by social customs or traditions.
Rather, Allah Himself has clearly and explicitly defined them in the Qur’an.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿تِلْكَ حُدُودُ اللَّهِ﴾
“These are the limits set by Allah.”
(Surah An-Nisa: 13)
This means:
• no increase or decrease is allowed,
• no change based on emotion, pressure, love, or anger is permissible.
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Serving parents more does not increase one’s share of inheritance
A common but dangerous misconception is:
“The child who served the parents more deserves a larger share.”
Islam clearly corrects this misunderstanding.
Serving parents is a great act of worship,
but it is not a criterion for inheritance.
Inheritance is not based on:
• service,
• sacrifice,
• closeness,
• or preference.
Rather:
It is based solely on the Islamic legal relationship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has given every rightful person their due right; therefore, there is no bequest for an heir.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)
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The reward for service is not worldly wealth, but reward with Allah
A child who:
• serves parents,
• nurses them in illness,
• sacrifices time, comfort, and resources,
will not be rewarded by:
• increasing inheritance shares,
but rather:
their reward is محفوظ (secured) with Allah as reward and recompense.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Actions are judged by intentions.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
Islamic balance is:
• justice in this world,
• reward in the Hereafter.
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Altering inheritance is oppression and betrayal of trust
If:
• one heir is unjustly given more,
• a weaker heir (especially a daughter or wife) is deprived,
• shares are altered due to pressure, emotion, or favoritism,
then this is:
• a clear violation of Shariah,
• crossing the limits set by Allah,
• and a serious sin.
The Prophet ﷺ said (meaning):
“Whoever alters the inheritance ordained by Allah commits injustice.”
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The correct understanding: We are trustees, not owners
Islam gives us this consciousness:
We are heirs,
but not owners —
we are only trustees.
This understanding:
• removes jealousy,
• prevents disputes,
• protects the rights of daughters and weak heirs,
• and keeps families united.
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Summary of the Article
The estate is the result of parents’ lifelong effort
Children’s right exists only due to their relationship
Inheritance shares are fixed by Allah
More service means more reward, not more inheritance
Altering inheritance is oppression and sin
Justice is in this world; reward is in the Hereafter
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Written by:
Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq
Anjuman Ghulzar-e-Madina International