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What is the ruling on distributing the inheritance of a deceased father: Is it based on the actual initial inheritance from the grandfather, or on the new system after integration and distribution solely among males?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The proposal to divide the inheritance among males to the exclusion of females is null and void; it is impermissible to implement. Islam has prescribed a determined share for every heir. Depriving women and minors of inheritance is among the practices of the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah) that Islam abolished. The correct approach is to divide the grandfather's inheritance among his three sons. As for the inheritance of the son who had no offspring, it belongs to his younger brother who inherited him, and he may gift it to whomever he wishes. It is impermissible to favor some children over others, and the prohibition is even more emphasized if the preference is given to males over females. If the gift (hiba) is completed with its conditions, then its distribution is according to what the giver intended. As for the father's inheritance, it is to be divided among all his heirs according to the Book of Allah. It is preferable to say "Allah willed" instead of "destiny willed."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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