Fatwa No : 83810
The Method and Ruling of Property Distribution During Lifetime

The Method and Ruling of Property Distribution During Lifetime

Respected Sir, It is submitted that the petitioner purchased two houses, each measuring 80 square yards. One was leased in the name of his wife, and the other in his own name. The petitioner has six children (five sons and one daughter), all of whom are married and employed, except for one daughter. The petitioner wishes to distribute his house — whose current market value is nine hundred thousand rupees (900,000) — among his five sons, one daughter, and his wife, in accordance with the rules of Shariah. Kindly divide the amount according to Shariah and specify the exact share of each heir.
(Note) The petitioner’s wife, in whose name the second house was leased, has been living separately from the petitioner for three years along with their daughter due to domestic discord, and the said house has already been given to her with full ownership rights. The petitioner also wishes to keep some portion of the amount for himself.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be known that if a person, during his lifetime and while in sound health, distributes his property among his heirs, it is undoubtedly permissible and valid. This is not considered a division of inheritance under Shariah but is termed as a hiba (gift). If the questioner wishes to distribute his property voluntarily and without any coercion, the preferable method is that he sets aside, according to a careful estimate, whatever he wishes to keep for his own future needs. The remainder of the property may then be equally distributed among his heirs. Each heir should be given actual possession of their share so that they become the rightful owner according to Shariah; merely transferring the property on paper is not sufficient. However, if the person wishes to give more to any particular child due to their piety, service, or financial need, this is permissible. But without any valid reason, completely depriving any heir is not allowed, as it is considered sinful.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

ففي حاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار): ورد في الحديث أنه - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال «سووا بين أولادكم في العطية ولو كنت مؤثرا أحدا لآثرت النساء على الرجال» (4/ 444)۔
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 اھ (5/ 696)۔
و فى الفتاوى الهندية: ولو وهب رجل شيئا لأولاده في الصحة وأراد تفضيل البعض على البعض (إلی قوله) لا بأس به إذا لم يقصد به الإضرار وإن قصد به الإضرار سوى بينهم يعطي الابنة مثل ما يعطي للابن وعليه الفتوى هكذا في فتاوى قاضي خان وهو المختار كذا في الظهيرية اھ (4/ 391)۔
و في الدر المختار: (وتتم) الهبة (بالقبض) الكامل (ولو الموهوب شاغلا لملك الواهب لا مشغولا به) والأصل أن الموهوب إن مشغولا بملك الواهب منع تمامها وإ ن شاغلا لا، (5/ 690)۔