Can my illegitimate daughters inherit from me?
Question
I have 2 daughters. I want my wife and daughters to benefit from the estate when i die. My daughters were both born before i got married in terms of Shariah law. I want my will to be Shariah compliant but i have been told that my daughters cannot inherit due to to the fact that they are considered illegitimate children in terms of shariah law. i want my will to be shariah compliant, please assist.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Since your daughters were born out of wedlock, they are not your legitimate children. Hence, they will not be entitled to Shar‘ī inheritance from your estate after your demise.[1]
However, it is permissible for you to bequeath part of your wealth to them. The total amount that is bequeathed to non-heirs must not exceed 1/3 (one third) of the estate after burial expenses and paying off debts.[2]
And Allah Ta‘ālā Knows Best
Zameelur Rahman
Student Darul Iftaa
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
[1] (ويرث ولد الزنا واللعان بجهة الأم فقط) لما قدمناه في العصبات أنه لا أب لهما (الدر المختار، ج٦ ص٨٠٠)
[2] قال محمد: قال أبو حنيفة: من أوصى بالثلث فهو جائز، ومن أوصى بأكثر من الثلث فالفضل على الثلث لا يجوز إلا أن يجوز ذلك الورثة وهم كبار بعدما يموت الموصي (الأصل، دار ابن حزم، ج٥ ص٤٢٩)
- Answered by
- Zameelur Rahman
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.