Islamic Inheritance (Faraid) Calculator
Enter the estate value and surviving heirs to estimate each person’s fixed Qur’anic share and amount.
Reviewed by the ToolNestr Editorial Team — July 2026
How Islamic inheritance is calculated
Islamic inheritance, or Faraid, distributes a deceased person’s estate according to fixed shares laid down in the Qur’an. Before distribution, the estate is reduced by funeral costs, outstanding debts, and any valid bequest of up to one-third to non-heirs. What remains is then divided among the rightful heirs in a precise order: those with fixed shares (ashab al-furud) first, then the residuary heirs (asaba) who take whatever is left.
This calculator handles the most common household: a surviving spouse, parents, and children. It assigns the spouse and mother their Qur’anic fractions, gives the father his one-sixth when children survive, and then distributes the remaining estate to the children. When sons are present they inherit as residuaries together with daughters in the ratio of two to one. When only daughters survive, they take their fixed share of one-half (a single daughter) or two-thirds (two or more), with any residue passing to the father.
The tool also applies two classical adjustments. If the fixed shares add up to more than the whole estate, it applies ‘awl, scaling every share down proportionally. If the shares fall short and there are no residuary heirs to absorb the remainder, it applies radd, returning the surplus to the blood heirs (excluding the spouse). Any amount that still cannot be assigned is flagged for a scholar’s review.
The fixed shares at a glance
| Heir | No children | With children |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/2 | 1/4 |
| Wife | 1/4 | 1/8 |
| Mother | 1/3 | 1/6 |
| Father | residue (asaba) | 1/6 (+ residue if no son) |
| Daughter(s), no son | 1/2 one · 2/3 two+ | — |
| Son(s) | residue, 2:1 with daughters | |
Worked example
Estate 120,000; a wife, a mother, 2 sons and 1 daughter survive.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Faraid?
Faraid is the Islamic law of inheritance, derived mainly from the Qur’an (Surah an-Nisa), which assigns fixed shares of an estate to specific relatives such as the spouse, parents and children. It applies after debts and any valid bequest (up to one-third) are settled.
What is the 2:1 rule?
Where sons and daughters inherit together as residuary heirs, a son receives twice the share of a daughter. This reflects the male’s financial responsibility in Islam to maintain his family, while a woman’s wealth remains her own.
How much does a spouse inherit?
A husband inherits one-half if there are no children and one-quarter if there are children. A wife inherits one-quarter if there are no children and one-eighth if there are children. Multiple wives share the wife’s portion equally.
When should I consult a scholar?
This tool covers common cases with spouse, parents and children. Real estates can involve siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, blocking rules, ‘awl and radd adjustments. For anything beyond the basics, consult a qualified scholar or a specialist before distributing.
Sources & references
This tool uses standard formulas and reference values from:
- • The Qur’an — e.g. Surah an-Nisa (4:11–12, 4:176) for the fixed inheritance shares (fara’id).
- • Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim — hadith on inheritance, zakat and nisab thresholds.
- • AAOIFI and recognized fiqh councils (e.g. Islamic Fiqh Academy) for contemporary rulings. aaoifi.com
Rulings differ between scholars and schools (madhahib), and calculated astronomical times/dates may differ from local sighting. Confirm with a qualified scholar before acting.