– Next, Allah set out the rules for the spouses’ inheritance:

– The husband receives one-half of what his wife leaves if she has no child; but if she leaves a child, his share is reduced to one-quarter.

– The wife—whether there is only one or several—receives one-quarter of what her husband leaves if he has no child. If the husband has a child, whether by her or by another wife, male or female, a direct child or a grandchild through a son, she (or they) receives one-eighth.

– Allah then mentioned the share of maternal half-siblings, clarifying that they inherit only when the estate is kalāla, meaning none of the heirs is a direct descendant, a father, or a grandfather. In such a case, a single maternal brother or sister takes one-sixth, while two or more together share one-third equally, males and females alike.

– Allah stated that all these allotted portions are to be given after carrying out any bequest, if one was made, and after settling debts. The Prophet ﷺ ruled that debts come before bequests, and the scholars unanimously agree. Moreover, Allah stipulated that a bequest must not be intended to harm the heirs; if it is, it is a sinful and unjust bequest that must be corrected and the wrongdoing removed.

– The Almighty declared that these apportionments are the limits set by Allah: He has determined and fixed them, so it is unlawful to overstep them—whether by giving an heir more than his due, depriving an heir, or diminishing his rightful share.

– Finally, at the end of the surah He spoke of the inheritance of siblings related through the father (other than the mother):

– A single sister receives one-half.

– Two or more sisters together receive two-thirds.