(7) “For men there is a share of what parents and close relatives leave behind, and for women there is a share of what parents and close relatives leave behind, whether it is little or much—a prescribed share.”

In the Age of Ignorance, the Arabs, out of their tyranny (1) and harshness, did not grant inheritance to the weak, such as women and children. They assigned inheritance to strong men because, as they claimed, they were the ones fit for war, fighting, plunder, and pillage. The Merciful and All-Wise Lord therefore willed to establish for His servants a law in which men and women, the strong and the weak, would be treated alike. Before setting out its details, He introduced a general principle so that people’s hearts would become accustomed to it.

The details would then follow the general statement after people had come to anticipate them and the unease arising from reprehensible customs had dissipated. Thus He said, “For men there is a share”—that is, a portion and allotment—“of what”—that is, whatever—“parents”—meaning the father and mother—“and close relatives leave behind.” Here, a general expression follows a specific one. “And for women there is a share of what parents and close relatives leave behind.”

It is as though the question were asked: Is this share governed by custom and convention, such that they may give them whatever they please, or is it a fixed amount? Allah Most High said, “a prescribed share”—that is, one determined by the All-Knowing, All-Wise. Its apportionment will be explained later, Allah willing.

There is also another possible misconception: someone might suppose that women and children receive a share only when the estate is large. Allah dispelled this by saying, “whether it is little or much.” Blessed is Allah, the best of judges.