Islamic Inheritance Calculator (Faraid)

Islamic Inheritance Law in Pakistan

In Pakistan, inheritance for Muslims is governed by Islamic law (Sharia), specifically the Hanafi school of jurisprudence for the majority Sunni population. The distribution of an estate follows the rules of Faraid — the Quranic science of inheritance — which assigns fixed shares to specified heirs.

Before distributing the estate, three obligations must be fulfilled in order: (1) funeral expenses, (2) payment of debts, and (3) execution of any wasiyyah (will) up to one-third of the remaining estate. The remainder is then distributed among the heirs per Faraid rules.

Key Principles of Faraid

• Fixed shares (Fard): Quran specifies exact fractions for certain heirs (e.g., 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/6, 1/3, 2/3)
• Residuary heirs (Asaba): Receive the remainder after fixed shares are distributed — sons are primary residuary heirs
• Male heir gets double: Where sons and daughters inherit together, a son's share is twice that of a daughter's
• Exclusion rules: Closer heirs may exclude distant ones (e.g., sons exclude brothers)

Common Inheritance Scenarios

• Husband dies leaving wife, 2 sons, 1 daughter: Wife gets 1/8; remainder split among children (each son gets double each daughter's share)
• Wife dies leaving husband, mother, father: Husband gets 1/2; mother gets 1/3; father gets the remainder (1/6)
• Man dies leaving mother, 2 daughters, no sons: Daughters get 2/3; mother gets 1/6; remainder goes to nearest male agnate

Succession Certificate vs Inheritance Certificate

To claim inherited assets in Pakistan, heirs typically need either a Succession Certificate (for movable assets like bank accounts and shares) or an Inheritance Certificate / Letter of Administration (for immovable property). Both are obtained from the civil court.