How to Divide Inheritance Between a Husband, One Son, and Two Daughters in Islam

Question: If a Muslim woman passes away and leaves behind $500, and her surviving heirs are her husband, her son, and her two daughters, how should the inheritance be divided according to Islamic law? Please provide the exact numbers and not the percentages.

Summary:

The 500 will be split into: • Husband: $125 • Son: $187.50 • First Daughter: $93.75 • Second Daughter: $93.75

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

To divide the $500 left by the deceased woman, and her heirs are:

  • Her husband
  • Her son
  • Two daughters

We need to follow the rulings of inheritance (ʿIlm al-Mawārīth) according to Islamic law, based on the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah.

1. Identifying the fixed shares and ʿaṣabah (residual heirs):

  • The husband: receives one-fourth (¼) because the deceased has descendants (children).
  • The son and two daughters: are ʿaṣabah, they inherit the remainder with the male receiving the share of two females.

2. Calculating the shares:

    We begin by setting the base number of shares according to the rules of inheritance:

    • Husband: ¼ = 2 out of 8 shares
    • Remaining shares (6 out of 8) are to be divided among the son and the two daughters.

    3. Method of division:

    • Remaining after the husband’s share = 6 shares
    • The male receives the share of two females: the son = 2 × the daughter

    We calculate:

    • Son = 2 shares
    • Each daughter = 1 share

    Total shares: 2 (son) + 1 (daughter) + 1 (daughter) = 4 shares

    And Allah knows best.

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