ANNOUNCEMENTS:
You may join our WhatsApp channel to receive a few curated fatwas a week.
Many people die without a valid waṣiyya, and their assets are distributed incorrectly. How would a person go about writing a sharʿī will in a Western legal system, and how do they ensure their estate is distributed according to Islam after death?
It is imperative that every Muslim takes the proper steps to ensure their assets are distributed according to the Sharia after death, as their inheritors have a right to their assets.[1] Failure to do so will generally result in a distribution of assets unrecognized by the Sharia through probate,[2] which can additionally lead to loss of rights and familial discord.
There are essentially two ways to ensure one's estate is distributed after death according to the Sharia in the United States legal system: a will and a trust.[3]
For either option, one must identify their rightful inheritors and owned assets, then arrange for the distribution of assets accordingly. In order to correctly and effectively do so, we recommend consulting scholars on proper Islamic distribution regarding the specifics of one’s case, and then working with an experienced Muslim attorney to make it legally enforceable.
And Allah knows best.
Ml. Ameen Shariff
Student, Darul Iftaa Chicago
Checked and Approved:
Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago
[1] قال رضي الله عنه: أول ما يبدأ من تركة الميت تجهيزه وتكفينه بما يحتاج إليه ودفنه، ثم قضاء ديونه الأولى فالأولى، ثم تنفيذ وصاياه من ثلث ما بقي بعد الدين والكفن، ثم قسمة الباقي بين ورثته على فرائض الله تعالى، ثم العصبات الأقرب فالأقرب آخرهم مولى العتاقة.
(الفتاوى السراجية، كتاب الفرائض، باب في استحقاق الميراث وعدمه: ص ٥٧٧؛ العلمية)
إذا مات الإنسان يبدأ من تركته بتجهيزه وتكفينه ودفنه، ثم بقضاء ديونه. ثم تنفذ وصاياه من ثلث ما بقي بعد الكفن والدين، ثم يقسم الباقي بين ورثته.
(الحاوي القدسي، كتاب الفرائض: ص ٢/٤٨٣؛ النوادر)
يبدأ من تركة الميت بتجهيزه ودفنه بلا إسراف ولا تقتير، ثم تقضى ديونه ثم تنفذ وصاياه من ثلث ما بقي بعد الدين ثم يقسم الباقي بين ورثته. ويستحق الإرث بنسب ونكاح وولاء.
(ملتقى الأبحر، كتاب الفرائض: ص ٦٩٩؛ البيروتي)
[2] Kagan, Julia. “Probate: What It Is and How It Works with and without a Will.” Investopedia. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/probate.asp
[3] Jarrell, Matthew. “Will vs. Trust: Which Is Right for You?” Investopedia. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/051315/will-vs-trust-difference-between-two.asp#toc-will-vs-trust-which-is-best
Moskowitz, Dan. “Living Trusts vs. Simple Wills: A Comparison.” Investopedia. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/070715/estate-planning-living-trusts-vs-simple-wills.asp
Team, The Investopedia. “What Happens When a Will and a Revocable Trust Conflict?” Investopedia. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/060915/what-happens-when-will-and-revocable-trust-conflict.asp
Schwab.com. “Revocable Living Trust vs. Will.” Schwab Brokerage. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/revocable-living-trust-vs-will
“The Importance of Estate Planning in Building Generational Wealth.” Enrich. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://illinoistreasurer.enrich.org/articles/the-importance-of-estate-planning-in-building-generational-wealth
“What Is a Will? - Estate Planning.” Fidelity. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.fidelity.com/life-events/estate-planning/will
“What Is a Trust?” Fidelity. Accessed May 7, 2025. https://www.fidelity.com/life-events/estate-planning/trusts
May 11, 2025
Inheritance