Chapter: Calculation of the Inheritance Shares

When a case contains one-half and another one-half, or one-half together with “the remainder,” its root number is 2. If the shares are one-third and the remainder, or two-thirds and the remainder, the root number is 3. If the shares are one-fourth and the remainder, the root number is 8. When the shares are one-sixth and the remainder, or one-half together with one-third, or a lone one-sixth, the root number is 6; this figure may be increased (ʿawl) to 7, 8, 9, or 10.

If a third or a sixth is joined to a fourth, the root number is 12, which may be increased to 13, 15, or 17.

If two-thirds—or one-sixth—is combined with one-eighth, the root number is 24, which may be increased to 27.

Once the problem divides evenly among the heirs, it is deemed correct. Should the shares allotted to any group not divide by their number, multiply that group’s headcount by the root number—together with its augmentation if the case has undergone ʿawl—and the product becomes the new root from which the distribution is made. Example: a wife and two brothers. The wife receives one-fourth, i.e. one share, while the brothers take the remainder, namely three shares, which cannot be divided by two. Multiply the brothers’ number (2) by the root number (4); the result is 8, and from 8 the division becomes valid.

If the number of their shares happens to match their headcount, multiply the concordant factor (wafq) of that number by the root. Example: a wife and six brothers. The wife’s portion is one-fourth—one share; the brothers receive three. Multiply the concordant factor of their number by the root; the product is 8, and from 8 the division stands.

When the shares of two or more groups still do not divide evenly, multiply the number of one group by that of the second, then multiply the result by the number of the third group, and finally by the root number.

If the numbers are identical, one of them suffices for the other; for instance, two wives and two brothers—multiply 2 by the root.

Where one of the two numbers is a factor of the other, the larger dispenses with the smaller; such as four wives and two brothers: if you multiply the four, it suffices you from