How can a balance be struck between the Islamic laws of inheritance - such as the rule that a woman inherits half the share of a man - and the interests of people and changing circumstances, following the example of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, in altering some rulings?

The essence of being a Muslim is submission to God's rulings and not objecting to them. Allah Almighty says: "But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge in disputes between them and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission." The wisdom behind some rulings may be hidden, and it is not permissible for faith and action to be contingent upon understanding them. The issue of a woman inheriting half of a man's share is dictated by justice, because a man is obligated to spend, pay the dowry, and bear blood money, while a woman is not obligated to do any of that. Therefore, it is just for a man to receive double a woman's share.

The Sharia comes for the benefit of the servants, but this does not mean changing God's rulings based on people's whims. Some matters of religion are fixed principles that are not subject to ijtihad (independent reasoning), such as the prescribed shares of inheritance. Others are subject to ijtihad, such as the discontinuation of the share for those whose hearts are to be reconciled (al-mu'allafati qulubuhum) in zakat during the era of Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, or the non-application of the punishment for theft during the Year of Ash due to doubt, as theft might have been out of necessity due to drought. There is no benefit in equalizing men and women in inheritance as long as women are not obligated by what men are obligated to do.