Fatwa No : 89497
The Ruling on the Inheritance of Kalalah

The Ruling on the Inheritance of Kalalah

Assalamu Alaikum, Mufti Sahib! I wish to inquire about the Shariah ruling regarding kalalah. Our uncle, Nisar Ahmad Khan, passed away in 2022 at the age of 86 and had no children. He had three brothers, and all three passed away during his lifetime. In this situation, will the inheritance be distributed only among the nephews (sons of the deceased brothers), or will the nieces (daughters of the deceased brothers) also be entitled to a share? We have 8 nephews and 8 nieces. Kindly explain the correct Shariah ruling and the proportion of shares.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It should be understood that nephews, in the absence of the deceased uncle’s children, are rightful heirs to their paternal uncle’s estate as ‘asabah bi-nafsihi (residuary heirs). As for nieces, they fall under dhawi al-arham, and in the presence of ‘asabah, those belonging to dhawi al-arham do not inherit. Therefore, in the case mentioned, the nieces will not receive any share from their deceased uncle’s estate.
Furthermore, after the uncle’s death, his entire estate must be distributed among the surviving heirs according to the rules of Islamic inheritance. Everything he owned at the time of his death—movable and immovable property, gold, silver, jewelry, cash, and all types of household items—will be regarded as his estate. From this estate, the first expense to be paid is the average cost of his shroud and burial. After that, if there are any outstanding debts or a due mahr of his widow, they must be paid. Then, if the deceased left behind any valid Islamic will, it should be executed up to one-third (⅓) of the remaining estate.
After fulfilling these rights, whatever remains shall be divided into eight (8) equal shares, and each nephew will receive one (1) share.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

کمافی الھندیۃ: عصبة بنفسه وهو كل ذكر لا يدخل في نسبته إلى الميت أنثى وهم أربعة أصناف: جزء الميت وأصله وجزء أبيه وجزء جده، كذا في التبيين (إلی قولہ) ثم ابن الأخ لأب وأم، ثم ابن الأخ لأب الخ (کتاب الفرائض، الباب الثالث في العصبات، ج6، ص 451، ط: مکتبۃ ماجدیۃ)-
فی الدر المختار: ابن الأخ لا يعصب أخته كالعم لا يعصب أخته وابن العم لا يعصب أخته وابن المعتق لا يعصب أخته بل المال للذكر دون الأنثى لأنها من ذوي الأرحام قال في الرحبية: وليس ابن الأخ بالمعصب من مثله أو فوقه في النسب، الخ (کتاب الفرائض، فصل فی العصبات، ج6، ص 783-784، ط: ایچ ایم سعید)-