Inheritance

Women's Inheritance

What the Bible Says

(The daughters of Zeiophehad said to Moses), "Our father died .. and left no sons. Why should our father's name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives." So Moses brought their case before the Lord and the Lord said to him .. "If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance over to his

daughter, ff he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father's brothers. If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan, that he may possess it."... (Numbers 27:1-11)

What the Qur'an Says

There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest related, whether, the property be small or large a legal share. (Qur'an, 4:7)

Allah commands you concerning your children's (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females. (Qur'an, 4:11)

For parents (father and mother), a sixth share of inheritance to each if the deceased left children. (Qur'an, 4:11)

Commentary

According to the laws of inheritance in the Bible, the woman has no right to inherit, whether she is a mother, a sister, a wife or a daughter except for the daughter who has no brothers. This law was in use until the last century and some high-class families in Europe still give most of their possessions to the first-born son.

The woman in Islam has a share of inheritance. The daughter's portion is half that of the son. This share is very generous given that, in Islam, the man's financial obligations are by far more than those of the woman. The man gives the dowry to his wife. He pays for all the necessities of life such as accommodation, food and clothes. He supports his parents in addition to his wife and children. On the other hand, the wife does not have to support anyone even herself because her husband is responsible for maintaining her, no matter how rich she Is. It is worth noting that in some cases the woman's share of inheritance is equal to that of the man.