Give the prescribed shares (of inheritance) to their rightful beneficiaries, and whatever remains after that should be given to the closest male relatives

Give the prescribed shares (of inheritance) to their rightful beneficiaries, and whatever remains after that should be given to the closest male relatives

‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Give the prescribed shares of inheritance to their rightful beneficiaries, and whatever remains after that should be given to the closest male relatives." Another version reads: "Divide the legacy among those entitled to prescribed shares thereof in compliance with the Book of Allah. Whatever remains after that should be given to the closest male relatives."

[Authentic hadith] [Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim]

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commands those who are in charge of dividing the inheritance to distribute it fairly among its rightful beneficiaries, according to the Shariah rules, as Allah, the Almighty, willed. Those who are entitled to prescribed shares of a legacy should be given their shares that are set for them in the Qur’an, which are: two thirds, one third, one sixth, one half, one quarter, and one eighth. Whatever remains after that should be given to the closest male relatives, who are called ‘Asabah (male relatives by agnation).

Categories

Agnates