MYPolygyny
Inheritance

Faraid when there is more than one wife

This is the part least thought about before polygyny and most often disputed afterwards. The verse is clear; the misunderstanding is common.

MYPolygyny
Faraid

The wives' share is shared, not multiplied

The Quran sets one share for the wife: 1/8 if the deceased has children, 1/4 if not. When there is more than one wife, that same share is divided equally — it does not increase.

1 wives · with childrenother heirs 7/8Husband's estatewives 1wives' share 1/8 ÷ 1 = 1/8 each

Each wife: 1/8 of the estate.

2 wives · with childrenother heirs 7/8Husband's estatewives 1wives 2wives' share 1/8 ÷ 2 = 1/16 each

Each wife: 1/16 of the estate.

4 wives · with childrenother heirs 7/8Husband's estatewives 1wives 2wives 3wives 4wives' share 1/8 ÷ 4 = 1/32 each

Each wife: 1/32 of the estate.

2 wives · no childrenother heirs 3/4Husband's estatewives 1wives 2wives' share 1/4 ÷ 2 = 1/8 each

Each wife: 1/8 of the estate.

Source: Surah an-Nisa 4:12. Planning (a ⅓ wasiat (bequest) to non-heirs, hibah (gift) during lifetime) is discussed below.
Surah an-Nisa' 4:12

وَلَهُنَّ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّكُمْ وَلَدٌۭ ۚ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ وَلَدٌۭ فَلَهُنَّ ٱلثُّمُنُ

The wife's share: one quarter, or one eighth

The wife receives 1/4 of the estate if the husband leaves no children, and 1/8 if there are children — after debts and bequests have been settled.

Surah an-Nisa' 4:12
MYPolygyny
The most common misunderstanding

The share is SHARED, not multiplied

Two wives do not receive 1/8 twice. They share one 1/8 (or 1/4) equally between them. Four wives share that same portion among the four. The number of wives does not increase the wives' share.

Ijma' (consensus) — the wives' (zawjat) share is shared
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Sekilas pandang
Perancangan

Apa yang boleh dirancang sekarang

Hibah semasa hidupTidak tertakluk kepada faraid; sah untuk memastikan rumah tangga tidak kehilangan tempat tinggal.
Wasiat — sehingga 1/3Kepada bukan waris sahaja; wasiat kepada isteri memerlukan persetujuan waris lain.
TakafulMengikut penama dan syarat sijil; sesetengah dianggap harta pusaka.
Harta sepencarianDituntut sebelum faraid; isteri yang menyumbang menuntut bahagiannya dahulu.

Example

SituationShare of all wivesEach wife
One wife, with children1/81/8
Two wives, with children1/81/16 each
Three wives, with children1/81/24 each
Two wives, no children1/41/8 each

What can be planned

Hibah (gift) during lifetime

Gifts made during one's lifetime are not subject to faraid. It is a lawful way to ensure that a household does not lose its home.

Wasiat (bequest) — up to 1/3

To non-heirs only, and not exceeding one third. The wife is an heir, so a bequest to her requires the consent of the other heirs.

Takaful

Takaful payouts follow the nominee and the certificate terms; some are treated as part of the estate. Check with the operator.

Matrimonial property (harta sepencarian)

Claimed before faraid. A wife who contributed is entitled to claim her share first.

The most useful advice on this page: if you are in a polygynous marriage, do your estate planning now. Faraid disputes between two families after a death are the most common and most bitter outcome — and they can almost always be avoided with clear hibah and wasiat.

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