Prepared by: Emrah Demirci · Faraid app developer
Published: June 1, 2026 · Updated: July 13, 2026
This content is for education and general information only. Consult a qualified Islamic inheritance scholar and local legal professional before distributing a real estate.
What does Faraid mean in Islam?
Faraid is the section of Muslim inheritance law that deals with the distribution of the estate of a deceased person among his or her heirs. The word comes from Arabic farḍ (فرض), meaning a fixed or obligatory share.
Distribution of inheritance (Meeras / Wirasat) carries a special place in Islam and is an integral component of the Muslim faith and Sharia Law. The Quran has mentioned different shares over the matters of Islamic inheritance, setting precise fractions for each eligible heir.
Importance of Learning Faraid
Surah An-Nisa treats inheritance in unusual detail, identifying entitled relatives, fixed fractions and the place of debts and bequests before distribution. Reports about the special virtue of studying Faraid have different chains and gradings, so this guide does not present unattributed wording as definitive evidence.
Four Duties When a Muslim Dies
Inheritance is an integral part of Shariah Law. Muslims inherit from one another as stated in the Quran (4:7). When a Muslim dies, there are four duties which need to be performed in order:
- Funeral & burial expenses — paid from the estate first.
- Debts of the deceased — all outstanding debts must be settled.
- Will (Wasiyyah) — honoured up to one-third of the remaining estate.
- Distribution — the remainder is distributed among heirs according to Sharia.
Two Key Restrictions on the Testator
Islamic law places two restrictions on the testator (the person who makes a will):
- To whom — a bequest cannot be made to an heir who is already entitled to an inheritance share.
- How much— a bequest must not exceed one-third of the deceased's net estate.
Different Types of Heirs in Faraid
Heirs referred to as primary heirs are always entitled to a share of the inheritance — they are never totally excluded. Primary heirs consist of the spouse, both parents, sons and daughters. All remaining heirs can be excluded by the presence of closer relatives. Those who inherit are categorised into three groups:
1. Quota Heirs (Sahibul Fardh / Quranic Heirs)
Heirs whose shares are fixed by the Quran. This group includes four males and eight females:
Male quota-heirs
- Husband
- Father
- Paternal grandfather
- Maternal brother
Female quota-heirs
- Wife
- Daughter
- Granddaughter
- Mother
- Grandmother
- Full sister
- Paternal sister
- Maternal sister
2. Asabah (Residuaries)
Usually a combination of male (and sometimes female) relatives that inherit the residue of the estate after the shares of the Quota-heirs have been distributed. Under certain circumstances, daughters, granddaughters, sisters and paternal sisters can also become Asabah.
3. Zawul Arham (Extended Family Members)
Any blood relative who is neither a Quota-heir nor an Asabah. Examples include maternal grandfather, aunts, nieces and female cousins. They inherit only when no Quota-heirs or Asabah exist.
Calculate Faraid with Our App
Easily calculate every heir's share with full Quranic evidence. Use the core calculator online for free, or continue on iOS and Android.
Sources
- Primary reference: Teshilü’l Feraiz
- The Quranic inheritance verses and reliable classical and contemporary Faraid works