Inheritance of Property

Most guidance relating to women’s inheritance is contained in the Chapter Women; the Quran says: “Concerning your children, God enjoins you that a male shall receive a share equivalent to that of two females. But if there are more than two females, then their share is two thirds of the inheritance. If there is only one, she will receive the half.…” (4:11) The next verse of the same chapter deals with the shares of husband or wife: “You will inherit half of what your wives leave, provided they have left no children. But if they leave children, then you inherit a quarter of what they leave, after payment of any bequests they may have made or any debts they may have incurred. Your wives shall inherit one-quarter of what you leave if you are childless. But if you leave children, your wives shall inherit one eighth, after payment of any bequest or debts. If a man or woman has no direct heirs [neither children or parents] but has left a brother or a sister, they shall each inherit one sixth, but if they are more than two, they