Why Do Females Get Half The Inheritance Amount Of Males?

[ummtaalib]

Question:

Why do females get half the inheritance amount of males? Also, why are stoning, honour killings so prevalent today in the name of Islam? Were they common in the time of the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam?

 

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

 

You enquire why females receive half the inheritance of their male counterparts. One must understand that the laws of inheritance are by Divine order. As Muslims, our attitude to a divine decree is simply to submit.

 

The point of satisfaction is in the fact that Allah is al-Hakīm (The All Wise). Every decree of Almighty Allah has innumerable benefits and wisdoms which we can never fathom or comprehend. Besides the many benefits in each individual law, the common thread in all the laws of Islam is that they consider the realities of life.

There is no room for emotions in these Laws. The Laws of Allah are not based on emotions. They are founded on the best possible course for humanity to follow. Each law, the law itself and its ramifications are beneficial for everyone and everything the law applies to.

 

From the day a woman is born to the day she passes away, she is never responsible to earn her own living. From birth to her marriage, her father or guardian is responsible to provide for her. After marriage, her husband is responsible to provide for her. When she gets old, her children are responsible to look after her. On the other hand, a male is tasked with providing and looking after his whole family.

 

If the male did not receive double the share, this would be injustice on the male. Everybody would be asking the question why Islam does injustice on the males as Islam tasks the male to provide and maintain the family, yet Islam does not channel to him the possible funds needed to uphold this responsibility.

 

For example, if a father passed away and his estate was worth £100,000. The son will receive £66,666.66 and the daughter will receive £33,333.33. The son may have to spend almost the entire amount in maintaining his sister and family. Whereas, the daughter who inherited, she will not be obliged to spend a single pence. She can keep the entire amount to herself. What is better? Receiving £66,666.66 and spending it all on others or receiving £33,333.33 and having the privilege of keeping it all to yourself?

 

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

 

Mawlana Faraz Ibn Adam,
Student Darul Iftaa UK

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net