Fatwa No : 82670
Transferring Property to Son and Depriving Daughters

Transferring Property to Son and Depriving Daughters

What do the esteemed scholars say regarding a case where a man, before his death, transfers all his property in the name of one son and deprives his daughters of any share in the inheritance? Will the sin of this act fall only on the father, or will the son also be sinful? After taking possession, is it obligatory on the son to give the daughters their rightful shares, or not? And do the daughters now have the right to demand their share?

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

If the situation mentioned is factually correct, then although the person (i.e., the father) has indeed committed a grave sin by doing so, the gift (hibah) is considered valid according to Islamic law. Therefore, the gifted property has legally become the son’s ownership, and the daughters have no right to claim it. However, if the mentioned son, out of kindness and goodness towards his late father, voluntarily gives a portion of his owned and possessed property to his sisters, then it is hoped that this act will serve to lighten the sin upon the deceased father and become a means of alleviating the punishment he may face. Hence, the son should, of his own will, give them a portion and this will be considered an act of generosity and kindness on his part. He should deal with his sisters with benevolence and goodwill.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

ففی الدر المختار: و في الخانية لا بأس بتفضيل بعض الأولاد في المحبة لأنها عمل القلب، وكذا في العطايا إن لم يقصد به الإضرار، وإن قصده فسوى بينهم يعطي البنت كالابن عند الثاني وعليه الفتوى ولو وهب في صحته كل المال للولد جاز وأثم اھ (5/ 696)۔
و في حاشية ابن عابدين: وينبغي للرجل أن يعدل بين أولاده في العطايا والعدل في ذلك التسوية بينهم في قول أبي يوسف وقد أخذ أبو يوسف حكم وجوب التسوية من الحديث، وتبعه أعيان المجتهدين، وأوجبوا التسوية بينهم وقالوا يكون آثما في التخصيص و في التفضيل اھ (4/ 444)۔