Islamic Inheritance Calculator
Calculate inheritance distribution according to Islamic Law (Shariah)
What is the total value of the estate?
Everything the deceased owned — property, cash, savings, gold.
Debts are paid first. Bequests are capped at one-third of what remains.
Which school of Islamic law applies?
If unsure, Hanafi is the most common choice in Pakistan.
Who are the surviving family members?
Tap to add the relatives who are alive. Skip anyone who has passed away.
Spouse
Children
Parents & Grandparents
Siblings
Estimated Distribution
See detailed table
| Heir | Share | % | Amount |
|---|
This is a simplified educational estimate. Cases involving grandparents, siblings, or unusual share combinations should be reviewed by a qualified scholar or lawyer.
Understanding Muslim Inheritance Law in Pakistan
In Islam, the distribution of a deceased person’s estate is not left to personal choice — it follows a precise, divinely ordained system known as Mirath or ‘Ilm al-Fara’id. These rules are taken directly from the Holy Qur’an (Surah An-Nisa, verses 11, 12 and 176), the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the consensus of Islamic scholars. Every eligible heir — spouse, children, parents and other relatives — receives a fixed share that protects their rights.
Our Muslim inheritance calculator gives you a quick estimate of how an estate may be divided among heirs according to Shariah. It is designed as an educational starting point. Because real cases often involve multiple heirs, outstanding debts, property in different cities, or heirs living abroad, we strongly recommend confirming the final distribution with a qualified lawyer before any assets are divided.
How an Estate Is Distributed Under Islamic Law
Before the heirs receive anything, the estate is settled in a fixed order:
- Funeral and burial expenses are paid first.
- Outstanding debts of the deceased are settled in full.
- Any valid bequest (Wasiyyah) is honoured — up to a maximum of one-third of what remains, and only in favour of non-heirs unless the other heirs agree.
- The remaining estate is divided among the legal heirs according to their fixed Qur’anic shares.
Heirs fall into two broad groups. Fixed-share heirs (Ashab al-Furud) — such as a spouse, mother or daughters — receive a defined fraction. Residuaries (‘Asaba) — usually male relatives such as sons and the father — inherit whatever remains after the fixed shares are allotted. As a general rule, a male heir receives twice the share of a female heir of the same class, a balance that reflects the man’s financial responsibilities toward the family under Islamic law.
Common Inheritance Shares in Islam
The table below summarises the most common fixed shares. The exact outcome always depends on which combination of heirs survives the deceased.
| Heir | Share WITH children | Share WITHOUT children |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | 1/4 | 1/2 |
| Wife (or wives, shared) | 1/8 | 1/4 |
| Mother | 1/6 | 1/3 (1/6 if several siblings) |
| Father | 1/6 + any residue | Entire residue |
| One daughter (no son) | 1/2 of the estate | |
| Two+ daughters (no son) | 2/3 shared between them | |
| Sons & daughters together | Share the residue, 2:1 (each son = twice each daughter) | |
Note: When both sons and daughters survive, they inherit the remaining estate together after fixed shares are paid, with each son receiving twice the share of each daughter.
Muslim Inheritance & Succession in Pakistan
For Muslims in Pakistan, inheritance is governed by Islamic law as applied through the West Pakistan Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1962. One important statutory rule appears in Section 4 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961: where a son or daughter of the deceased has died before the deceased, that person’s own children — the orphaned grandchildren — inherit the share their late parent would have received. This protects grandchildren who might otherwise be excluded under the classical rules.
Calculating the shares is only the first step. To legally transfer the deceased’s assets, heirs usually need a court document. A Succession Certificate is generally required to collect movable assets such as bank balances, savings and securities, while a Letter of Administration is typically used to administer immovable property such as a house or plot of land, especially where there is no will.
At GNS Law Associates, our team regularly helps families in Karachi — and Pakistanis living overseas — through the entire process, from calculating Shariah shares to obtaining the right court documents. Learn more about our Succession Certificate & Letter of Administration services, speak with our family lawyers in Karachi, or if you live abroad, see our services for overseas Pakistanis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is property divided between sons and daughters in Islam?
When sons and daughters inherit together, they share the residue of the estate after the fixed shares are paid, with each son receiving twice the share of each daughter. For example, with one son and one daughter, the son takes two-thirds and the daughter one-third of that residual portion.
Does a wife inherit if there are no children?
Yes. A widow inherits one-quarter (1/4) of her late husband’s estate if the couple had no children, and one-eighth (1/8) if there are children. Where there is more than one wife, they share this portion equally.
Is a daughter entitled to inheritance in Islam?
Yes. A daughter is always a Qur’anic heir. A single daughter with no brothers receives one-half of the estate; two or more daughters with no brothers share two-thirds. When sons are also present, daughters inherit alongside them on a 2:1 basis.
Can a person give away more than one-third of their estate in a will?
Under Islamic law a bequest (Wasiyyah) is limited to one-third of the estate after debts, and it cannot be made in favour of an existing legal heir unless the other heirs consent after death. The remaining two-thirds must pass to the heirs by their fixed shares.
Do grandchildren inherit if their parent died before the deceased?
In Pakistan, yes. Under Section 4 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, the children of a son or daughter who died before the deceased inherit the share that their late parent would have received.
What is the difference between a succession certificate and a letter of administration?
A succession certificate is generally used to claim movable assets such as bank deposits and securities, while a letter of administration is used to administer the wider estate, including immovable property such as land and houses. The right document depends on the assets involved, and our lawyers can advise on your specific situation.
How can overseas Pakistanis claim their inheritance?
Overseas heirs can pursue their inheritance rights in Pakistan through a lawyer acting on their behalf, usually via a power of attorney, without needing to travel. This covers obtaining succession certificates, letters of administration and resolving any disputes between heirs.
Need help working out a specific case or transferring inherited property? Contact GNS Law Associates or message us on WhatsApp — our inheritance and succession lawyers in Karachi are here to help.
