Continuation of the discussion on the meanings of the verse: “Allah commands you regarding your children: for the male, the share of two females. If there are more than two females, then for them are two-thirds of what he left behind.
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Continuation of the discussion on the meanings of the verse: [An-Nisa 4:11].
We mentioned the benefit in His saying:[An-Nisa 4:11] and He did not say: “for the female is half of what the male has.” What is the benefit? Because “share” implies generosity and increase, whereas “half” implies deficiency. That is, the choice of [An-Nisa 4:11] is because a “share” brings joy to the soul and delight to the heart, but “half” implies deficiency and lowliness. Therefore, may Allah know best, He turned away from it to [An-Nisa 4:11]. His saying, Exalted is He: [An-Nisa 4:11] The exegetes differed regarding the word . What is their difference of opinion on that? It was said: It is an extra word. No, it is not extra, but what is the benefit of it? That what exceeds two females does not increase the share by their increase. For example, two females have two-thirds; more than two, four, still have two-thirds; the share does not increase with their increase. If someone asks: Then what is the inheritance of two females? What is the inheritance of the two females? Two-thirds. From where is it taken, and the verse says: ? Okay, more than two, and the question is about two? Meaning, these are in the case of sisters and these in the case of daughters? The daughter has one-half if she is one, and if there is more than one, then for them are two-thirds. Does the fixed share increase if it exceeds one? We do not know a fixed share after one-half except two-thirds. This is one aspect.
The Shaykh : What is the second aspect?
The student: If Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned that for the two females are two-thirds, then it is known that the two females are for the deceased.
The Shaykh : Meaning, by analogy of priority? The third?
The student: That the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the two daughters of Sa'd ibn al-Rabi' two-thirds.
The Shaykh : Okay.
The Shaykh : They mentioned the inheritance if they are males only. From where is it taken from the verse?
The student: When the inheritance of females alone is clarified, the males are the opposite of that; they have the wealth equally.
The Shaykh : If they are sons and daughters, and they are called by the people of the science of inheritance shares the “branches,” they are either males only, females only, or females and males. If they are males only, the wealth is divided among them equally. If they are females only, for the one is one-half and for more than one are two-thirds. If they are males and females, for the male is the share of two females. The discussion on the branches ends here. Who is an heir from the branches? We return to the previous rules. Everyone who does not have a female between him and the deceased. So the son and the daughter are branches, and the son of the son and the son of the son of the son are likewise, and the daughter of the son is likewise, and the daughter of the son of the son is likewise. And the son of the daughter? No, he does not inherit. Why? Because there is a female between him and the deceased, and the rule is that anyone from the branches who has a female between him and the deceased has no inheritance.
Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
يوصيكم الله في أولادكم للذكر مثل حظ الأنثيين فإن كن نساء فوق اثنتين فلهن ثلثا ما ترك وإن كانت واحدة فلها النصف ولأبويه لكل واحد منهما السدس مما ترك إن كان له ولد فإن لم يكن له ولد وورثه أبواه فلأمه الثلث فإن كان له إخوة فلأمه السدس من بعد وصية يوصي بها أو دين آبآؤكم وأبناؤكم لا تدرون أيهم أقرب لكم نفعا فريضة من الله إن الله كان عليما حكيماWe mentioned the benefit in His saying:
for the male, what is equal to the share of two females
للذكر مثل حظ الأنثيينwhat is equal to the share of two females
مثل حظ الأنثيينwhat is equal to the share of two females
مثل حظ الأنثيينBut if there are [only] daughters, two or more
فإن كن نساء فوق اثنتينAbove
فوقmore than two
فوق اثنتينThe Shaykh : What is the second aspect?
The student: If Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned that for the two females are two-thirds, then it is known that the two females are for the deceased.
The Shaykh : Meaning, by analogy of priority? The third?
The student: That the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the two daughters of Sa'd ibn al-Rabi' two-thirds.
The Shaykh : Okay.
The Shaykh : They mentioned the inheritance if they are males only. From where is it taken from the verse?
The student: When the inheritance of females alone is clarified, the males are the opposite of that; they have the wealth equally.
The Shaykh : If they are sons and daughters, and they are called by the people of the science of inheritance shares the “branches,” they are either males only, females only, or females and males. If they are males only, the wealth is divided among them equally. If they are females only, for the one is one-half and for more than one are two-thirds. If they are males and females, for the male is the share of two females. The discussion on the branches ends here. Who is an heir from the branches? We return to the previous rules. Everyone who does not have a female between him and the deceased. So the son and the daughter are branches, and the son of the son and the son of the son of the son are likewise, and the daughter of the son is likewise, and the daughter of the son of the son is likewise. And the son of the daughter? No, he does not inherit. Why? Because there is a female between him and the deceased, and the rule is that anyone from the branches who has a female between him and the deceased has no inheritance.