Islamic inheritance law (Why to learn)

Learning about Islamic inheritance is not just Attorney, lawyer, or Islamic scholar's duty; but every Muslim should strive to learn and study to gain Allah's pleasure (Subhanahu Wa Ta alaa) and may become the path to Jannatul Firdous (i.e., the highest place in paradise).

The real beauty of Islamic inheritance law cannot be discovered until you learn. Learning Islamic inheritance law is spiritually beneficial, and you gain real-world material benefits in achieving Islamic estate planning goals.

Every Muslim should strive to learn and study to gain Allah's pleasure (Subhanahu Wa Ta alaa) and may become the path to Jannatul Firdous (i.e., the highest place in paradise). The real beauty of Islamic inheritance law cannot be discovered until you learn.

We spend lots of time learning many things in life. Learning Islamic inheritance law is spiritually beneficial, and you gain real-world material benefits in achieving and improving Islamic estate planning goals.

Spiritually, you get rewarded for every moment you spend (as worship or devotion) because this is part of Muslims' core scriptures (Holy Quran and Hadith). It's not difficult to educate as before due to the accessibility through the advancement of technology.

The importance of 'ilm al-faraid or 'ilm al-mawareeth (the science of succession or inheritance) for Muslims is undoubtedly immense. The main area that you should learn includes Dhawoo al-Furood (i.e., Fixed or prescribed heirs ), Asabah (i.e., Residuary), and Dhawoo ar-Rahim (Distant kindred relatives).

Also, the rules regarding Islamic inheritance utilize the Mawani (i.e., Hindrances ), Hajb (i.e., Blocking or exclusion), Awl (i.e., Proportional reductions), Radd (Proportional Redistribution), Tasheeh (Eliminating Fractions), lastly, Uṣool Al-Masail (Number of Shares).

The area of inheritance under Shariah requires a good grasp and understanding of mathematics. Today's algebra is a product of Islamic inheritance researched by renowned mathematician Al-Khwarizmi (780 - 850 CE) known as the Father of Algebra.

There are many reasons to learn and implement Islamic Inheritance law, which is the foundation of Islamic estate planning. However, we will narrate a few Hadiths related to an inheritance emphasizing learning and implementation.

Learn & Teach

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "O Abu Hurairah. Learn about the Inheritance and teach it, for it is half of knowledge, but it will be forgotten. This is the first thing that will be taken away from my nation." -Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapter 26, Hadith no: 2719

Deprive share in Paradise

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever tries to avoid giving the inheritance to his heirs, Allah (Subaha nahu Wa ta aala) will deprive him of his inheritance in Paradise on the day of resurrection." -Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 22, Hadith 2806

Muslim's Duty

"Prescribed for you when death approaches (any) one of you if he leaves wealth (is that he should make) a bequest for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous." -The Holy Quran, Surah-Al-Baqarah, verse 180

Right path

It was narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah that the messenger of Allah said, "Whoever dies leaving a Will, he dies on the right path and Sunnah, and he dies with piety and witness, and he dies forgiven." -Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 22, Hadith 2805

Do not delay

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, "It is a duty of the Muslim who has anything to bequeath not to let two nights pass without including in his Will." -Sahih Al Bukhari, Chapter 1, Book 13, Number 3987

Great reward for obedience

"These are the limits (set by ) Allah, and whoever obeys Allah and his messenger will be admitted by him to gardens (in Paradise) under which river flows, abiding eternally therein; and that is the great attainment." -Holy Quran, Surah-An-Nisaa, verse 13

Punishment for disobedience

"A man may do good deeds for seventy years but if he acts unjustly when he leaves his last testament, the wickedness of his deed will be sealed upon him, and he will enter the Fire. If (on the other hand), a man acts wickedly for seventy years but is just in his last will and testament, the goodness of his deeds will be sealed upon him, and he will enter the Garden.” -Ahmad and Ibn Majah, Book 22, Hadith 2808

Great favor

It was narrated from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, "(Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says) O son of Adam! I have given you two things which you do not deserve (except by the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala): I allow you to dispose of a share of your wealth when you are on your deathbed in order to cleanse and purify you, and my slaves pray for you after your life is over." -Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 22, Hadith 2814

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