16.INHERITANCE ?

Question:

Under Islamic law, why does a woman inherit only half the wealth as compared to the man?
Answer:

      1. Inheritance in the Qur’an
        The Qur’anic verses that contain guidance regarding inheritance are:

        • Surah Al Baqarah, Chapter 2 Verse 180

        • Surah Al Baqarah, Chapter 2 Verse 240

        • Surah Al Nisaa’, Chapter 4 Verses 7-9

        • Surah Al Nisaa’, Chapter 4 Verse 19

        • Surah Al Nisaa’, Chapter 4 Verse 33 and

        • Surah Al Maa’idah, Chapter 5 Verses 106-108

          1. Specific shares of inheritance for the relatives
            There are three verses in the Qur’an that broadly describe the share of close relatives i.e. Surah Al Nisaa’, Chapter 4, Verses 11, 12 and 176. The verses are as follows:
                •  

          “Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females, if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.” “In what your wives leave, your share is half if they leave no child; but if they leave a child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye
          leave, their share is a fourth if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to anyone). Thus it is ordained by Allah; and Allah is All Knowing Most Forbearing.”
          [Al-Qur’an 4:11-12]

          “They ask thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs (them) about those who leave no descendants or ascendants as heirs. If it is a man that dies, leaving a sister but no child, she shall have half the inheritance. If (such a deceased was) a woman who left no child, her brother takes her inheritance. If there are two sisters, they shall have two thirds of the inheritance (between them). If there are brothers and sisters, (they share), the male having twice the share of the female. Thus doth Allah makes clear to you (His law), lest ye err. And Allah hath knowledge of all things.”
          [Al-Qur’an 4:176]

              1. Female sometimes inherits same or more than the male counterpart
                In most of the cases, a woman inherits half of what her male counterpart inherits. However, this is not always the case. In case the deceased has left no ascendant or descendent but has left the uterine brother and sister, each of the two inherits one sixth. If the deceased has left children, both the parents that is the mother and the father get an equal share and inherit one sixth each. In certain cases, a woman can also inherit a share that is double that of the male. If the deceased is a woman who has left no children, brothers or sisters and is survived only by her husband, mother and father,
                the husband inherits half the property while the mother inherits one third and the father the remaining one sixth. In this particular case, the mother inherits a share that is double that of the father.

              1. Female usually inherits half the share of that of the male counterpart
                It is true that as a general rule, in most cases, the female inherits a share that is half that of the male. For instance in the following cases:.
                    • Daughter inherits half of what the son inherits.

                    • Wife inherits 1/4th and husband 1/2 if the deceased has no children.

                    • Wife inherits 1/8th and husband 1/4th if the deceased has children.

                    • If the deceased has no ascendant or descendent, the sister inherits a
                      share that is half that of the brother

                1. Male inherits double than the female because he financially supports
                  the family
                  In Islam, a woman has no financial obligation and the economical responsibility lies on the shoulders of the man. Before a woman is married it is the duty of the father or brother to look after the lodging, boarding, clothing and other financial requirements of the woman. After she is married it is the duty of the husband or the son. Since the financial burden to look after the family is put on the men, in order to do justice to this responsibility they get double the share of inheritance. For example, if a man dies leaving about One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars for the children (i.e one son and one daughter), the son inherits One Hundred Thousand Dollars and the daughter only Fifty Thousand Dollars. Out of the One Hundred Thousand Dollars which the son inherits, as his duty
                  towards his family, he may have to spend on them almost the entire amount or say about Eighty Thousand Dollars and thus he has a small percentage of inheritance, say about Twenty Thousand Dollars, left for himself. On the other hand, the daughter, who inherits Fifty Thousand Dollars, is not bound to spend a single penny on anybody. She can keep the entire amount for herself. Would you prefer inheriting One Hundred Thousand Dollars and spending Eighty Thousand Dollars from it, or inheriting Fifty Thousand Dollars and having the entire amount for yourself?