Topic
Inheritance fatwa — mirath & wills
Questions about Islamic inheritance (mirath) and wills (wasiyyah): who inherits and in what shares, the estate of the deceased, debts and bequests, and Islamic wills in South Africa.
1,212 fatawa from 8 South African Darul Iftas (topics are assigned from each Darul Ifta’s own categories and titles, so the count is approximate). Every fatwa links to the page where its Darul Ifta published it.
By Darul Ifta
Most-asked on this topic
- How do I make an Islamic will (wasiyyah)?
- Can I gift my property to my children during my lifetime?
- Why do sons and daughters inherit different shares?
- Do grandchildren inherit if their parent died first?
- Do adopted or step-children inherit?
- Is a pension or insurance payout part of the estate?
- Can a Muslim inherit from a non-Muslim relative?
- How does community of property affect a Muslim estate?
- Can the distribution of an estate be delayed?
Inheritance & Wills fatawa from each Darul Ifta
- Mufti Online8 Oct 2026
Arrangements and contracts of a property owned by the heirs of the estate
I would appreciate a brief Shariah ruling on a family property matter. An unmarried adult daughter occupies three commercial shops belonging to a…
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee - AskImam4 Oct 2025
I did not have access to my father's inheritance for 7 years. How do I calculate Zakat for those years?
I have a query relating to zakaat. My Father had passed away 7 years ago and had left me jewellery and an investment policy. I had no access to the…
Sohail ibn Arif - Jamiat KZN29 Sep 2026
Can a Muslim inherit or accept a bequest from a non-Muslim?
In South Africa, can a Muslim inherit or accept a bequest from a non-Muslim?
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood13 Oct 2026
Dividend Pay-Out From Inherited Property
A family inherited a property from their father. He had two sons and one daughter. However, one son has passed away and he is survived by two…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville8 Jun 2026
The Status Of An Item In An Estate Which The Deceased Purchased But Did Not Complete For
Four brothers purchase a property. While paying off the property, one of the brothers pass away. What percentage of the property will be distributed…
- MUBZ14 May 2025
Will Children Inherit if The Father has Relinquished Parental Responsibilities
Assalaamu ‘alaykum. Would children still have the right to inherit should their father pass away even if their father has chosen to relinquish his…
- Camperdown17 Aug 2026
Wife, 3 daughters & 2 brothers – Inheritance
الّس لام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركات ه Please work out share and percentage for Wife 3 daughters 2 brothers
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - MJC18 May 2026
Death Benefits and Inheritance
Concerning your query, please be advised: 1. The death benefit is a lump sum paid to an employee’s beneficiaries or dependents in the event of his…
Mufti Abdurragmaan Khan - Mufti Online6 Oct 2026
Heirs having rights in the estate of the deceased
After a male has passed away, does his wife, who is under iddah have any say of his affairs and who is in control of his affairs? Does his sons and…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam24 Aug 2025
Can an inheritor refuse to accept his\her share of inheritance?
If any inheritor (Waris) of inheritance (meeras) does not wish to accept his/her meeras share may be with intent of goodwill (ehsaan) or sacrifice…
Ismail Dawoodjee - Jamiat KZN23 Sep 2026
Will a Separated Wife and Her Children Inherit From the Father?
My father has two wives. He has separated from his second wife and his children from his second wife. If my father passes away, will his second wife…
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood30 Sep 2026
Distribution Of Estate
A property of my late grandfather was recently sold. We need to distribute the money received to the rightful heirs. Both my grandparents are…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville22 Jan 2026
Inheritance Of A Missing Heir
A person was married and then divorced. From this marriage he had one son. He later re-married having a number of children. This man has now passed…
- MUBZ20 Feb 2025
Inheriting a Life Insurance Policy
Salaams, I would like to know what is the law in terms of shariah with regards to life insurance. My mum and my dad both passed away together in a…
- Camperdown24 Jul 2026
Who Inherits When a Woman Passes Away Without Parents, Husband, Children or Siblings?
A woman passed away not having any close relative alive. She outlived her husband, brother, parents and did not have any children. The closest…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - MJC27 Jan 2024
Inheritance of land expropriation compensation
1. Compensation for land expropriation forms part of the possessions of the land owner during his lifetime. 2. If the originally dispossessed or…
Mufti Taha Karaan - Mufti Online8 Sep 2026
An heir being forced to give their share of inheritance away
If a person was manipulated/threatened into giving their inheritance away, and it was signed off already but based on the above can the person have…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam7 Aug 2025
Inheritance for Non-Contributing Family Member
AsSalamalekum Wa Rahmatullai Wa Barakatuhu, I am a 43 yearsold brother. I used to live in US and CANADA, now moved to India to help my mother as my…
- Jamiat KZN23 Sep 2026
Can the Family Claim a Deceased Person’s Bequest?
My father made a bequest for several people after his demise. Some are alive, and some have passed away. Are the families of those who have passed…
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood29 Sep 2026
Inheriting Haraam Wealth
My deceased brother worked in a hotel for 8 years. My brother was in the F&B (food and beverage) department. His main line of work entailed serving…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville14 Nov 2025
Properties Within A Trust In An Estate
Where the properties are in trust, as a ‘legal donkey’ as a result of estate planning to reduce the financial impact of property falling into a…
- MUBZ4 Dec 2024
Wealth Given to Heirs Post-Dementia – Pre-Demise
Assalamualaikum Please advise on the following: a) Female mother/sister- returned to the mercy of Allah on 25 September 2024 age at time of death 93…
- Camperdown10 Jul 2026
How Are the Personal Belongings and Tools of a Deceased Person Distributed Under Islamic Inheritance Law?
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah, Uncle M left behind a wife, two Sons and a daughter. How should we distribute his inheritance? He left many tools…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - MJC8 Nov 2023
Inheritance of a house
In terms of inheritance under the Sharīʿah, all the heirs will share in the collective estate to the proportionate degree of each one’s specific…
Mufti Taha Karaan - Mufti Online2 Sep 2026
Heir forfeiting their share of inheritance
During the process of winding up my father’s estate, my sister accused one of the other heirs of stealing their father’s money. The said heir was…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam12 Jun 2025
What to do if a person has no heirs?
If a person who lives alone passes away who has no known relatives, what happens to his wealth and belongings?
Hasan Ahmed Razzak - Jamiat KZN15 Sep 2026
Drawing up non-Shariah Wills
As a Muslim solicitor, is it permissible for me to draw up a non-Shariah will for my Muslim clients?
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood7 Sep 2026
Rental On Inherited Property
An unmarried adult daughter occupies three commercial shops belonging to a family property. Her father allowed this during his lifetime, but he also…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville12 Nov 2025
Heirs Contributing To Estate Distribution Expenses
My father had land in India which is part of his estate. We need to pay the lawyers in order for the work to commence in order to obtain a buyer.…
- MUBZ16 Jun 2024
Estate Queries
Aslm Mufti I hope you are well. Please see the below question with regards to a deceased estate. 1a) When doing the calculation of a property to…
- Camperdown27 Mar 2026
Do Non-Muslim Relatives Inherit from a Revert?
Mufti Sahib, another question i have is: a lady she reverted to islam she got married to a muslim man. Her entire family is non-muslim, she has a…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - MJC29 Nov 2024
Non-Compliant Will
1. It remains a most regrettable phenomenon that Muslims continue to make wills that do not comply to Sharīʿah, despite the wide latitude that South…
Mufti Taha Karaan - Mufti Online10 Aug 2026
Making a bequest for a non-heir
With regard to Islamic inheritance, we are 3 sisters and 2 brothers and my mother. My father wants to add his sister (my aunty) as an inheritor. Can…
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee - AskImam31 Jan 2025
How do i work out Zakaat on inheritance?
As salaam u alaykum Respected ulama I have no difficulty discharging the zakaat but I am a little confused with regards to the Zakaat obligation and…
- Jamiat KZN9 Sep 2026
Depriving one’s siblings (daughters / sons) of their rightful inheritance
What are the Islamic repercussions for depriving one’s siblings (daughters / sons) of their rightful inheritance?
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood28 Jul 2026
Distribution of Inheritance
A man passed away and is survived by his wife, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. How should his estate be distributed?
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville16 Sep 2025
Interest Accrued In An Estate
There was some interest monies in the bank accounts of the deceased. Does that become part of her estate when distributing the shares? What happens…
- MUBZ16 Jun 2024
Inheritance Query – Paternal Sister Inheriting
Does a sister inherit from a deceased brother who had no children and wife is also deceased. The relationship between the deceased brother and the…
- Camperdown2 Mar 2026
Bequest in Favor of Apostate [Murtad] and Illegitimate Children
A Muslim man was previously married and had two daughters from that marriage. However, both of these daughters are now out of the fold of Islam. He…
Baba Abu Bakr - MJC23 May 2024
Qada salah and fast stated in a Will
1. As a rule, the Shāfiʿī madhhab does not prescribe monetary expiation for missed ṣalāh. 2. The circumstances for monetary compensation (fidyah) in…
Mufti Taha Karaan - Mufti Online18 Jul 2026
Making a bequest that a portion of the profits from one's investment should continuously be given in charity after one's demise
I do not have cash on hand, but I wish and request my heirs and executors of my estate to continue with my donations and qurbaanies after my demise.…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam14 Mar 2023
Inheritance of Wife
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. I would like to know what my wife would inherit if I pass away first. My wife is a revert to…
Tareque Ahmed - Jamiat KZN8 Sep 2026
What steps must be taken to ensure the deceased’s estate is handled in accordance with Islamic principles?
What steps must be taken to ensure the deceased’s estate is handled in accordance with Islamic principles?
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood6 Jul 2026
Distribution Of Estate
A lady passed away and is survived by her husband, 2 adult sons and 1 adult daughter. Two rings, one pair of earrings and one sole earring make up…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville12 Jun 2025
An Heir Writing Off A Debt Owed To A Deceased On Behalf Of Other Heirs
My Father passed away in 2006. There are debtors who owed money to my father but my mothers has forgiven those debts and does not want it re-paid.…
- MUBZ16 Jun 2024
Inheritance Query – Paternal Sister – Sister and Two Brothers
Will a paternal sister inherit, if the deceased left behind 1 full sister and 2 full brothers, no children no wife no parents. Was Salaam
- Camperdown7 Feb 2026
Inheritance of Property Registered Only in Sons’ Names
My grandfather left a property He had 2 sons and 4 daughters. All are late. But the property was put only on the 2 sons’ names. My father and my…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - MJC21 Sep 2023
My husband left behind a Non-Shariah Compliant Will
It remains a most regrettable phenomenon that Muslims continue to make wills that do not comply to Sharīʿah, despite the wide latitude that South…
Mufti Taha Karaan - Mufti Online2 Jul 2026
Selling one's share in the business obtained through inheritance
1. My mum is deceased 3 years. In her inheritance, she has left behind a business. I want to sell my share of the business. The executors say that I…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam7 Jan 2023
Do women inherit the loans of their parents?
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh I had a question regarding inheritance: Do women inherit the loans of their parents? JazakumuAllah khairan.
Abu ‘Umar Muhammad bin Zayn Patel - Jamiat KZN29 Jun 2026
Inheritance of predeceased children
In the event of a deceased parent’s estate, must any predeceased children also be included in the inheritance? Does the right of the predeceased…
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood20 Jun 2026
Inheritance Query
My late fathers’ estate needs to be dissolved. The amount is R350 000. He is survived by, my mother, four sisters and myself. Please provide the…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville10 Jun 2025
An Heir Not Repaying A Loan Taken From The Deceased
My Father passed away in 2006. We have a sister who took a loan from my father and has not re-paid the money. After receiving the money my sister &…
- MUBZ16 Jun 2024
Inheritance Query – Mother and One Daughter
A lady is survived by Mother 1 daughter 1 daughter’s son 1 daughter’s daughter 1 brother from the same mother No other Muslim relatives at all
- Camperdown9 Oct 2025
Inheritance
السلام علیکم و رحمة الله و بركاته Hope you are well Ml. Please send for me shariah ruling on inheritance distribution for my wife and I Me: 2 sons 1…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - Mufti Online3 May 2026
Distributing one’s inheritance during one’s lifetime
My father wants advice regarding his will. He wants to know if he gave his sons their shares while he was alive, does he needs to include the sons…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam17 Dec 2022
Does a heir by default have the right to view/be given a copy of the will?
Does a heir by default have the right to view/be given a copy of the will? Should this be provided as standard by the executors or only if requested…
Mohammed - Jamiat KZN27 Oct 2025
Claims from the estate for past contributions
Q. A widow has 2 brothers that do not support her, and 2 daughters who are not earning/working. She does not have sufficient funds to completely…
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui - Ibn Masood11 May 2026
Bequest From A Mentally Ill Individual
I have some questions regarding an Aaqil Baaligh person when it comes to inheritance, Wasiyat: Q1) Who determines whether a person is considered…
Mufti Abrar Ahmad Motala - Azaadville21 Jan 2025
Relinquishing A Share Inherited In An Inherited Home
Assuming the current heirs (sons and daughter) would like their mum to have the house and therefore hand over their share to their mum. How does…
See all 1,212 Inheritance & Wills fatawa · Glossary of terms · Compare rulings side by side
Read-only index of fatawa already published by South African Darul Iftas, each linked to its original. Not a fatwa service — for your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta.