Fatwa No : 83033
The ruling on distribution of property during one's lifetime

The ruling on distribution of property during one's lifetime

What do the esteemed scholars and respected Muftis say regarding the following issue: I wish to give a share of my house to my children during my lifetime. I own one house, valued at 1,200,000 rupees. I want to distribute the share that rightfully belongs to my children from this property while I am still alive. I have one daughter and three sons, all of whom are still unmarried, and I have to arrange their marriages. Therefore, I request a solution that allows me to distribute my property fairly while also making it possible to arrange their marriages, as I have no other sources of income.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be clearly understood that every person is the sole owner of their wealth and property during their lifetime, prior to falling into a terminal illness. They have full authority to manage and dispose of their assets as they wish. They are not obligated to distribute their property during their lifetime. However, if they choose to distribute it voluntarily, then this is considered a gift (hibah) in Shari‘ah. The preferable and recommended method of making such a gift is that the person should, after making a reasonable estimate of what they need for the remainder of their life, keep that portion for themselves, and then distribute the remaining assets equally among their children. They must also ensure that each child is given full legal and physical ownership of their share — merely assigning names on paper is not sufficient in Shari‘ah. To make the gift valid and complete, actual possession must be transferred. It is best to treat all children equally and fairly, since they are all one's offspring. No one should be given more or less without a valid reason. However, if one child has served the parents, is more religious, or has some other legitimate reason, the parent may choose to give them more than the others. Similarly, if some children are unmarried, giving them a slightly larger share to assist with their marriage expenses is also permissible. But without a valid Shar‘i reason, depriving any rightful heir from the property is sinful and not allowed in Islam.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

ففی صحيح مسلم؛ عن الشعبي، قال: سمعت النعمان بن بشير، ح وحدثنا يحيى بن يحيى، واللفظ له أخبرنا أبو الأحوص، عن حصين، عن الشعبي، عن النعمان بن بشير، قال: تصدق علي أبي ببعض ماله، فقالت أمي عمرة بنت رواحة: لا أرضى حتى تشهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فانطلق أبي إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ليشهده على صدقتي، فقال له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أفعلت هذا بولدك كلهم؟» قال: لا، قال: «اتقوا الله، واعدلوا في أولادكم»، فرجع أبي، فرد تلك الصدقة اھ (3/ 1242)۔
و في 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 خلاصة الفتاویٰ: رجل له ابن وبنت اراد ان یھب لھما شیئا فالأفضل أن یجعل للذکر مثل حظ الأنثیین عند محمدؒ وعند أبی یوسف بینھما سواء ھو المختار لورود الأثاء وھب جمیع ماله لأبنه جاز فی القضاء وھو إثم نص عن محمد ھکذا فی العیون اھ (۴/ ۴۰۰)۔