The scriptural text and analogical reasoning—which are the Book and the Balance—both indicate that the one-third share belongs exclusively to maternal half-siblings. This is the position of ʿAlī and those who agree with him, and the position of Abū Hanīfah and Ahmad according to the well-known report from him. Harb transmitted the view that full siblings share in it, which is the position of Zayd and those who agree with him, as well as Mālik and al-Shāfiʿī. Conflicting positions on this matter have been reported from ʿUmar, ʿUthmān and other Companions. Indeed, it has been said that conflicting reports exist from every Companion except ʿAlī and Zayd: the reports from ʿAlī consistently state that he did not allow such sharing, while those from Zayd consistently state that he did.

Al-ʿAnbarī said: “Analogical reasoning supports ʿAlī’s position, while juristic preference supports Zayd’s.”

Al-ʿAnbarī said: “This is an elegant reconciliation and an accurate formulation.”

The response is that both the scriptural text and analogical reasoning support ʿAlī’s position. As for the scriptural text, Allah Most High says:

“But if there are more than that [i.e., two or more], they share a third.”

This refers to maternal half-siblings. If we include full siblings among them, the maternal half-siblings no longer share the third among themselves; rather, others compete with them for it.

If it is argued that full siblings belong to this group because they too are children of the same mother, this is mistaken. Allah Most High says:

“If a man or woman leaves neither a father nor a child, but has a brother or sister, each of them receives a sixth”—and the rest of the verse.

In the reading of Saʿd and Ibn Masʿūd, the words (on the mother’s side) occur. By consensus, maternal half-siblings are intended. This is also indicated by His words:

“Each of them receives a sixth.”

Full siblings and paternal half-siblings are addressed in another verse, where He says: “They ask you for a ruling. Say, ‘Allah gives you a ruling concerning one who leaves neither a father nor a child. If a man