Faraid is the system of fixed inheritance shares in Islamic law. It sets out defined portions of an estate for particular heirs, derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah and elaborated by scholars over centuries. This overview is a general, educational description only — it is not a religious ruling and does not attempt to calculate any individual's shares, which should be done by a qualified scholar.
The idea of fixed shares
Unlike a system that leaves distribution entirely to personal choice, Faraid prescribes shares for certain relatives. Heirs such as a spouse, parents, and children are entitled to defined portions, and the framework is designed to ensure that close family members are provided for according to set rules rather than left to discretion.
Why the calculation is complex
The shares are not applied in isolation — they interact. Which relatives survive the deceased affects the portions each receives, and the presence or absence of particular heirs can change the outcome for others. Because these interactions can be intricate, accurately determining the correct distribution for a specific family usually requires the guidance of someone trained in the subject.
Order of priorities in an estate
In Islamic estate practice, several obligations are typically addressed before the fixed shares are distributed, often described in this order:
- Funeral and burial expenses.
- Payment of the deceased's debts.
- Any valid bequests, within the permitted limit (commonly up to one-third, discussed in a separate article).
- Distribution of the remainder among the fixed heirs according to Faraid.
From religious calculation to a valid Ontario will
Determining the shares is a religious exercise; giving them legal effect in Ontario is a legal one. Families commonly work with a scholar to calculate the correct distribution and then with a lawyer to express that distribution in a will that meets Ontario's formal requirements, so the plan is both faith-aligned and enforceable.
Differences among scholars
There can be legitimate differences among schools of thought and scholars on aspects of inheritance. This is another reason to confirm the specifics with a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.
For education only. This is a general overview, not a religious ruling — consult a qualified scholar for the calculation that applies to your family.
This article is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.