Sharing Inheritance Equally Between One’s Children

QUESTION:

I am embarking on drawing up a will. I have a son, a daughter and a wife. Can I split the inheritance equally between my two children?

ANSWER:

The shares of the inheritance case are as follows:

The son would receive 58.33%, the daughter would receive 29.17%, and the wife would receive 12.5%

As for splitting the inheritance equally between the two children, it is important to note that the laws of inheritance are divine laws which came to us directly from Allah Ta’ala, and we must give each person his/her rightful share. As such, a son and daughter cannot receive equal shares.

With regards to writing a will, it is not allowed to make a bequest for your children or wife in the will, since they are entitled to specific shares. If you wish to give your children or wife something extra, you can do so in your lifetime. If you do decide to distribute in your lifetime, it will be preferable to distribute equally.

تِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَـٰلِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌۭ

(سورة النساء 13-14)

وَعَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ عَامَ حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ: «إِنِ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَعْطَى كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ فَلَا وَصِيَّةَ لِوَارِثٍ» . رَوَاهُ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَابْنُ مَاجَهْ وَزَادَ التِّرْمِذِيُّ: «الْوَلَدُ لِلْفَرَاشِ وَلِلْعَاهِرِ الْحَجَرُ وَحِسَابُهُمْ عَلَى اللَّهِ»

(ترمذي 2120)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali

Date: 18 Dhul Hijjah 1446 / 15 June 2025

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb