🌍 Children, inheritance & global · #24

Does a non-Muslim (Christian) wife inherit from her Muslim husband?

Not by faraid. Difference of religion bars inheritance: the Prophet ﷺ said, "A Muslim does not inherit from a disbeliever and a disbeliever does not inherit from a Muslim." However, a husband may give to a non-Muslim wife through a bequest of up to 1/3 of the estate, since she is not an heir, or through a gift (hibah) during his lifetime. Bear in mind that in Malaysia a marriage between a Muslim and a non-Muslim (even one of the People of the Book) is not registered unless the spouse embraces Islam, so this issue arises mostly for Muslims abroad. The wife's personal property remains hers. See faraid for other bars to inheritance.

Sources

Sahih al-Bukhari 6764Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Fara'idhSurah al-Ma'idah 5:5

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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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