- When there are two or more daughters, they collectively receive two-thirds of the estate, subject to two conditions:
• First: they must in fact number two or more.
• Second: there must be no muʿaṣṣib (residuary male), meaning a direct son of the deceased.
The evidence is Allah’s statement: “Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, a share equal to that of two females. If there are daughters—two or more—they shall receive two-thirds of what he leaves” (Qur’an 4:11).
• From the words “for the male, a share equal to that of two females” we infer the requirement that no residuary male be present.
• From the words “if there are daughters—two or more” we infer the requirement that the daughters be at least two.
The phrase “more than two” in the verse has puzzled some, for its apparent sense is that two daughters do not receive the two-thirds and that the share applies only to three or more. That reading is transmitted from Ibn ʿAbbās (Allah be pleased with him). The majority of scholars, however, maintain the opposite—that two daughters together do receive two-thirds—on the strength of the ḥadith of Jābir (Allah be pleased with him), who said:
“A woman from the family of Saʿd ibn al-Rabīʿ came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with his two daughters and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, these are the daughters of Saʿd ibn al-Rabīʿ. Their father was martyred at Uḥud while fighting at your side. Their uncle has taken their entire property, leaving them nothing, and they cannot marry unless they have wealth.’ The Prophet replied, ‘Allah will decide concerning this.’ Thereupon the verse of inheritance was revealed. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then summoned their uncle and said, ‘Give the two daughters of Saʿd two-thirds, their mother one-eighth, and whatever remains is yours.’”
The report is transmitted by the Five (all except al-Nasāʾī), and al-Tirmidhī declared it ḥasan (sound).