يُوۡصِيۡكُمُ اللّٰهُ فِىۡۤ اَوۡلَادِكُمۡ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثۡلُ حَظِّ الۡاُنۡثَيَيۡنِۚ فَاِنۡ كُنَّ نِسَآءً فَوۡقَ اثۡنَتَيۡنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَۚ وَاِنۡ كَانَتۡ وَاحِدَةً فَلَهَا النِّصۡفُؕ وَلِاَبَوَيۡهِ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِّنۡهُمَا السُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ اِنۡ كَانَ لَهٗ وَلَدٌ ۚ فَاِنۡ لَّمۡ يَكُنۡ لَّهٗ وَلَدٌ وَّوَرِثَهٗۤ اَبَوٰهُ فَلِاُمِّهِ الثُّلُثُؕ فَاِنۡ كَانَ لَهٗۤ اِخۡوَةٌ فَلِاُمِّهِ السُّدُسُ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُّوۡصِىۡ بِهَاۤ اَوۡ دَيۡنٍؕ اٰبَآءُكُمۡ وَاَبۡنَآءُكُمۡۚ لَا تَدۡرُوۡنَ اَيُّهُمۡ اَقۡرَبُ لَـكُمۡ نَفۡعًاؕ فَرِيۡضَةً مِّنَ اللّٰهِؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلِيۡمًا حَكِيۡمًا
Word By Word —
Word By Word —
Yooseekumu Allahu fee awladikumliththakari mithlu haththialonthayayni fa-in kunna nisaan fawqa ithnatayni falahunnathulutha ma taraka wa-in kanat wahidatanfalaha annisfu wali-abawayhi likulli wahidinminhuma assudusu mimma taraka in kanalahu waladun fa-in lam yakun lahu waladun wawarithahu abawahufali-ommihi aththuluthu fa-in kana lahu ikhwatunfali-ommihi assudusu min baAAdi wasiyyatin yooseebiha aw daynin abaokum waabnaokum latadroona ayyuhum aqrabu lakum nafAAan fareedatan mina Allahiinna Allaha kana AAaleeman hakeema
What Does Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 11 Mean? - Common Questions & Answers
Explore the meaning, interpretation, and Islamic explanation of Surah An-Nisaa Ayah 11 from the Holy Quran. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this verse, its context, and significance in Islamic teachings.
❓What is the established meaning and interpretation of this verse about Islamic inheritance?
Surah 4:11 establishes the fundamental Islamic inheritance laws, commanding that males receive twice the share of females. When only daughters inherit (two or more), they receive two-thirds; a single daughter receives half. Parents each receive one-sixth when children are present, but the mother receives one-third when only parents inherit (reduced to one-sixth if siblings exist). These distributions occur after debt payment and will execution.
❓What are the reported circumstances of this verse's revelation?
According to authentic hadith, this verse was revealed after the wife of Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi' came to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ complaining that her husband's uncle had taken all inheritance, leaving nothing for his two daughters. The Prophet ﷺ said 'Allah will decide on this matter,' and subsequently this verse was revealed, establishing the shares: two-thirds for the daughters, one-eighth for their mother, and the remainder for the uncle.
❓What is the significance of the specific wording and structure of this verse?
The verse begins with 'Yusikum Allah' (Allah commands you), emphasizing divine authority in inheritance matters. The phrase 'li-dhdhakar mithl hazz al-unthayayn' (for the male, like the share of two females) establishes the 2:1 ratio. The detailed breakdown of various scenarios demonstrates Allah's comprehensive knowledge and the need for precise legal framework. The concluding phrase about not knowing who benefits you more emphasizes submission to divine wisdom over human judgment.
❓What primary legal principles derive from this verse?
Key jurisprudential principles include: (1) Males inherit twice females' share when both inherit as the same class; (2) Debts must be paid before inheritance distribution; (3) Wills are executed before inheritance but limited to one-third of estate; (4) Specific shares are divinely ordained and cannot be altered; (5) Proximity in kinship determines inheritance priority; (6) Both males and females have inheritance rights, revolutionizing pre-Islamic customs that excluded women and children.
❓How does this verse fit within the broader theme of Surah An-Nisa?
This verse continues Surah An-Nisa's theme of establishing justice and rights for vulnerable members of society, particularly women and orphans. Following the opening commands about caring for orphans and fair treatment, this inheritance legislation ensures economic security for all family members. It connects to the surah's overall message of social justice, balanced family structures, and divine guidance in personal and social affairs.
❓What are the core spiritual lessons and ethical teachings of this verse?
The verse teaches complete submission to Allah's wisdom in life's most personal matters. It emphasizes that divine justice transcends human preferences and emotions. The concluding statement 'you do not know which of them are nearest to you in benefit' teaches humility and recognition of Allah's infinite knowledge. It establishes that true faith requires accepting divine commands even when they challenge personal inclinations or social customs.
❓How can the guidance of this verse be applied in modern life?
Modern applications include: (1) Proper Islamic estate planning following Quranic guidelines; (2) Ensuring debt clearance before inheritance distribution; (3) Educating family members about their inheritance rights; (4) Seeking qualified Islamic legal advice for complex inheritance cases; (5) Writing Sharia-compliant wills within the one-third limitation; (6) Mediating family disputes using divine guidance rather than personal preferences; (7) Establishing systems for fair property distribution in Muslim communities.
❓Why does Islamic law give males twice the inheritance of females?
This differential reflects the comprehensive Islamic social system where men bear greater financial responsibilities. Men are obligated to provide mahr (dower) to wives, maintain wives and children financially, support extended family members in need, and bear commercial and social obligations. Women retain full ownership of their inheritance without obligations to spend on family maintenance. The 2:1 ratio ensures equitable distribution considering these different responsibilities, not superiority of one gender over another.
❓What is the wisdom behind prioritizing debt payment over inheritance distribution?
Islamic law prioritizes debt payment to maintain social trust and economic stability. As authentic hadith states, even martyrdom does not forgive unpaid debts except with creditor's forgiveness. This principle protects creditors' rights, maintains commercial confidence, and ensures the deceased's soul is not burdened by unfulfilled obligations. It reflects Islam's emphasis on fulfilling commitments and maintaining social cohesion through economic justice.
❓How do brothers and sisters affect parents' inheritance shares?
When a deceased person has brothers or sisters (whether full, half-paternal, or half-maternal), the mother's inheritance share reduces from one-third to one-sixth, while the father receives the remainder. The siblings themselves don't inherit in the father's presence, but their existence reduces the mother's share because the father bears responsibility for their welfare, marriage expenses, and support. This reflects the father's greater financial obligations toward the extended family structure.
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