Surah An Nisa Tafseer

The Necessity of Surrendering the Inheritance According to the Portions that Allah Ordained

Allah says;

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصيِبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالَاقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَاء نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالَاقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًا

There is a share for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest in relation, whether the property be small or large -- a legal share.

Sa`id bin Jubayr and Qatadah said,

"The idolators used to give adult men a share of inheritance and deprive women and children of it. Allah revealed;

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصيِبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالَاقْرَبُونَ

(There is a share for men from what is left by parents and those nearest in relation)."

Therefore, everyone is equal in Allah's decision to inherit, even though their shares vary according to the degree of their relationship to the deceased, whether being a relative, spouse, etc.

Ibn Marduwyah reported that Jabir said,

"Umm Kujjah came to the Messenger of Allah and said to him, `O Messenger of Allah! I have two daughters whose father died, and they do not own anything.' So Allah revealed;

لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصيِبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَالَاقْرَبُونَ

(There is a share for men from what is left by parents and those nearest in relation)."

We will mention this Hadith when explaining the two Ayat about inheritance. Allah knows best.

Allah said,

وَإِذَا حَضَرَ الْقِسْمَةَ أُوْلُواْ الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينُ فَارْزُقُوهُم مِّنْهُ وَقُولُواْ لَهُمْ قَوْلاً مَّعْرُوفًا