Is Depriving Daughters of Inheritance Forbidden? Al-Azhar Scholar Explains
Dr. Atiya Lashin, a member of Al-Azhar's Fatwa Committee, confirmed that depriving daughters of their inheritance is strictly prohibited under Islamic law.
Is Depriving Daughters of Inheritance Forbidden? Al-Azhar Clarifies
Dr. Atiya Lashin, a member of Al-Azhar's Fatwa Committee, has affirmed that depriving daughters of their lawful inheritance is strictly prohibited in Islam, emphasizing that inheritance distribution is a divine obligation established by clear Qur'anic rulings.
The Question
A woman asked Dr. Lashin through his official Facebook page about her case. She explained that she and her sisters had been denied their inheritance for nearly 50 years after their father's death, while their brothers took possession of the entire estate.
Women Have a Guaranteed Right to Inheritance
Dr. Lashin stressed that the Qur'an explicitly grants both men and women their lawful shares of inheritance, making it impermissible for anyone to deny female heirs their rights.
Inheritance Is a Divine Obligation
He explained that Islamic inheritance laws clearly define each heir's share and are not subject to personal opinions or family customs. The Qur'an states: "Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females."
Depriving Women Is a Practice of Ignorance
According to Dr. Lashin, preventing women from inheriting is a remnant of pre-Islamic customs that Islam abolished, emphasizing that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Muslims to give every rightful person their due.
Serious Consequences of Denying Inheritance
He warned that unlawfully taking another heir's share is considered a major sin and a violation of Allah's limits. The Qur'an describes inheritance laws as a divine obligation and warns against violating them, emphasizing accountability in the Hereafter.
A Call to Restore Rights
Dr. Lashin concluded by urging anyone who has withheld inheritance from sisters or other lawful heirs to fear Allah and restore those rights without delay, reminding Muslims that worldly wealth is temporary while accountability before Allah is everlasting.
Is it forbidden to deny daughters their inheritance?
Yes. Islamic law clearly prohibits depriving daughters of their lawful inheritance.
Does a woman's inheritance right expire over time?
No. A lawful inheritance right does not expire simply because many years have passed.
Why does the Qur'an sometimes give males a larger share?
Islamic inheritance is based on a complete legal system that considers financial responsibilities, family obligations, and degrees of kinship.
Is taking someone else's inheritance a major sin?
Yes. Unlawfully taking another person's inheritance is considered a grave sin in Islam.
What should someone do after denying inheritance rights?
They should sincerely repent to Allah and return the rightful shares to their legal heirs as soon as possible.
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