Inheritance

Why is it that, within the immediate family, sons acquire more of their parents’ inheritance than daugthers?

“God directs you in regards your children’s inheritance: to the male, a portion equal to that of two females” (4:11).


The basis of distribution is not a reflection of gender preference, but on the fundamental Islamic injunction that men are financial responsible for maintaining the family; therefore, monetary compensation is the main reason as to why the inheritance ratio was set.

Sons are financially responsible for their living mother and dependent siblings; hence, sons, as a means to provide financial sustenance for the family, could use the assets of the deceased father. It is a type of savings account that gives sons the responsibility of being the distributor and maintainer of the family.

Sons, unlike daughters, have the responsibility to maintain and financially support their immediate families. Women in Islam, whether they are daughters, sisters, wives, or mothers, are free from financially supporting themselves and others. What they earn and receive is theirs to keep. They are not obligated to maintain or support anyone. Women in Islam are entitled to inherit as a daughter, mother, wife, and sister; consequently, they may, in certain cases, become financially stronger than men.
(A New Perspective: Women in Islam by Sayyid Moustafa al Qazwini & Fatma Saleh)