Search In Fatwa

Inheritance of One Daughter Only

Question

Assalaamu ‘Alaykum; Please calculate the inheritance according to the following information -Does the deceased have female relatives who are entitled to inherit : (A daughter) Number 1

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

If the deceased left behind one daughter only and did not leave any other heirs who have a specified share in the inheritance, or any relatives from the father’s side, then the entire inheritance is for her. She gets one half as her prescribed share as Allah Says (what means): {And if there is only one [daughter], for her is half.} [Quran 4:11], and the remaining half will be also given to her as there are no other heirs, because the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "If anyone leaves behind any wealth, it is for his heirs." [Muslim]

Finally, it should be noted to the questioner that the matter of inheritance is very complex an issue, so in order to be on the safe side, a mere Fatwa which is an answer issued according to the question is not enough. Rather, the matter should be taken to an Islamic court in order to investigate and find out who the heirs are, as it might be that there is an heir who would not be known except after investigation. Also, there might be a will, debts, or other dues that are not known to the heirs, and it is known that these rights come in priority over the right of the heirs in the inheritance. Therefore, the inheritance should not be divided without resorting to an Islamic court, if any, in order to fulfill the interests of the dead and the live people.

Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa