Fatwa No : 83871
Constructing in an inherited property without the permission of the heirs.

Constructing in an inherited property without the permission of the heirs.

What do the honorable Muftis say regarding the following issue that My father, Akhtar Ali Mughal, purchased a plot of land. In 1973, my father Akhtar Ali and I, Abid Hussain Mughal, together constructed a house on this plot from the foundation up to completion. By around 1982, our house was fully built. I was working separately in the iron business, while my father used to sell fruits and other items. From my earnings, I used to give my mother money for household expenses, and I also spent separately on the construction of the house. In 1987, I got married, and due to domestic disagreements, I moved into my own personal house, while continuing to fulfill the responsibilities of my family in a proper manner. After my father’s death in 2000, my younger brother added an additional roof and further extended the construction of the house. He also rented out two portions of the house and has been living in it himself as well. The rent from this house has been kept solely by him for the past 18–19 years, without giving anyone else their share, and until now, our father’s inheritance has not been distributed. If the inheritance of my father is now to be distributed, should it be divided according to the value of the property at the time of my father’s death, or according to its value at the present time? Kindly guide us on this matter.
Note: When I contributed money towards the construction of the house, I did not make any clear statement regarding it. Likewise, when my younger brother carried out further construction of the house, he did not seek permission from any of the heirs.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

If, at the time of constructing the house, the inquirer gave money to his father without explicitly stating that it was a loan (as is also evident from the note in the question), then this will be considered as a voluntary contribution and a favor from the inquirer towards his father. Therefore, he does not have the right to demand it back from the other heirs. However, if the other heirs, keeping in mind his services, wish to assist him voluntarily, they are permitted to do so. As for the amount spent by the inquirer’s brother on the construction of the house after the father’s death, without the permission of the other heirs, he is not entitled to claim that money back. He may, however, take the value of the construction debris before the distribution of the estate. Regarding the rental income of the said property, all heirs have a rightful share in it. Therefore, it is obligatory upon the younger brother to distribute the rental proceeds among all heirs according to Shariah.
When the said property is divided, it must be divided based on its current market value.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

كما في الفتاوى الخيرية: (سئل) في زوج امرأة وابنها اجتمعا في دارا واحد وخذ كل منهما يكتسب على حدة ويجمعان كسبها سواء، فحصلا بكسبها اموالا ولا يعلم التفاوت ولا التساوى فيه ولا يمكن التمييز فهل والحال هذه يكون المال المجتمع بانواعه بكسبهما سوية ام لا ؟ (فاجاب) نعم هو بينها سوية حيث لا يميز كسب هذا من كسب هذا ولا يختصر احدھما به ولا بزيادة على الآخر اھ (۱/ ۱۱۱)۔
كما في حاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار): ثم يأخذ الغاصب رأس ماله وهو البذر وما غرم من النقصان، وما أنفق على الزرع ويتصدق بالفضل عند الإمام ومحمد فلو غصب أرضا فزرعها كرين فأخرجت ثمانية، ولحقه من المؤنة قدر كر ونقصها قدر كر فإنه يأخذ أربعة أكرار ويتصدق بالباقي، وقال أبو يوسف: لا يتصدق بشيء وبيانه في التبيين قال في الدر المنتقى: وأفاد أنه لا يصرفه لحاجته إلا إذا كان فقيرا كالغني لو تصرف تصدق بمثله ولو أدى لمالكه حل له التناول لزوال الخبث ولا يصير حلالا بتكرار العقود وتداول الألسنة ذكره القهستاني اھ (6/ 187)۔
كما في حاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار): تحت (قوله: قلت ومما يكثر وقوعه إلخ) (إلی قوله) هذا إذا كسدت وانقطعت أما إذا غلت قيمتها أو انتقضت فالبيع على حاله ولا يتخير المشتري، ويطالب بالنقد بذلك العيار الذي كان وقت البيع كذا في فتح القدير (4/ 533)۔