🌍 Children, inheritance & global · #1

If a husband has four wives and dies, what is each wife's share of the estate?

All the wives share equally in a single portion only: 1/8 if the husband leaves children, or 1/4 if there are no children. This portion is not multiplied by the number of wives. For example, if the husband leaves children and four wives, 1/8 of the estate is divided by four, so each wife receives 1/32. If there are no children or grandchildren through a son, 1/4 is divided by four, so each wife receives 1/16. All the wives stand equal, whether first or fourth wife, married long ago or recently, as long as the marriage was valid and still subsisted at the time of death. The husband's children by any wife count as "children" who reduce the wives' share to 1/8. Try the faraid calculator for worked figures.

Sources

Surah an-Nisa' 4:12

Next →How long is a wife's ʿiddah when her husband dies?

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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