That same one-half share is the fixed portion of the full sister; in her absence it passes to the paternal sister, provided that the deceased leaves no descendant heir. The Most High says, “If a man dies childless and he has a sister, she shall receive one-half of what he leaves” (Q 4:176). By unanimous agreement, this verse covers both a sister who shares both parents with the deceased and a sister who shares only the father.
-
One-quarter. This share belongs to the husband when the deceased has a descendant heir, as in His words: “But if they have a child, then you shall have one-quarter of what they leave” (Q 4:12). The same one-quarter is the fixed share of the wife—or wives—when there is no descendant heir, for He says: “And they shall receive one-quarter of what you leave if you have no child” (Q 4:12).
-
One-eighth. The wife—or wives—receives one-eighth when the deceased leaves a descendant heir, according to His statement: “But if you have a child, then they shall have one-eighth of what you leave” (Q 4:12).
-
Two-thirds. This portion is assigned to two daughters or to two granddaughters through a son when they are not turned into residuary heirs by the presence of a male of their degree.
The proof that they inherit two-thirds is the report of the wife of Saʿd ibn ar-Rabiʿ. She came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “These are the two daughters of Saʿd. Their father was martyred at your side on the day of Uhud, and their uncle has taken their property, leaving them with nothing, and they cannot marry without wealth.” He replied, “Allah will decide about this matter,” whereupon the verses of inheritance were revealed. The Prophet ﷺ then summoned their uncle and said, “Give the two daughters of Saʿd two-thirds, give their mother one-eighth, and whatever remains is yours.” Related by Abu Dawud, and al-Tirmidhi declared it sound.
The two daughters take two-thirds by analogy with the two sisters whose share is explicitly mentioned in His words: “If there are two women, they shall have two-thirds of what he leaves” (Q 4:176). Daughters—whether immediate or through a son—have a stronger claim to the two-thirds than sisters.
When there are three or more daughters, or three or more granddaughters through a son, their portion is likewise two-thirds, by the clear statement of Allah: “If they are more than two women, then they shall have two-thirds of what he leaves” (Q 4:11).
Two-thirds is also the prescribed portion for two or more full sisters; if they are absent, it passes to two or more paternal sisters, in accordance with His words: “If there are two women, they shall have two-thirds of what he leaves” (Q 4:176). The scholars unanimously agree that the phrase “two women” refers to two full sisters or two paternal sisters, and they apply the same ruling to any number above two by analogy.