Why are there issues in inheritance that are subject to 'awl (a proportional reduction of shares when the sum of prescribed shares exceeds the total inheritance), and what is our response to those who consider this a flaw in the inheritance law of the Holy Qur'an?
"Al-Awal" (the increase in the share of an inheritance beyond its original value) occurs when the total sum of the inheritors' shares exceeds the original inheritable amount, thereby diminishing the individual portions of the heirs. Al-Awal took place during the era of Omar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, after he consulted the Companions and they reached a consensus on it. They analogized this situation to the division of debts when an estate is insufficient to cover them. Adopting al-Awal is considered a measure to ensure justice among the heirs. Al-Awal is one of the issues in which the Companions exercised ijtihad (independent reasoning) through analogy, and it is a result of the Ummah's ijtihad. The sacred texts affirm that Allah's Sharia is entirely justice, wisdom, and goodness.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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