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What are residuary heirs in Islamic inheritance?

The asabah — those who take whatever remains after the fixed shares are paid. Sons, then grandsons, then the father, then brothers, then paternal uncles.

Draft — pending review. This page has been prepared but has not yet been reviewed by a Canadian estates lawyer or a qualified scholar. Treat it as a starting point for questions, not as advice you should act on.

The asabah — those who take whatever remains after the fixed shares are paid. Sons, then grandsons, then the father, then brothers, then paternal uncles.

The Canadian position

Canadian wills use a residue clause for the same structural purpose, though the people entitled differ entirely.

A will without a residue clause creates a partial intestacy over whatever is left undisposed.

The Islamic position

The asabah line runs through male agnatic relatives, with daughters and sisters taking alongside their brothers at half a share.

Where no residuary heir exists, the question becomes whether radd applies — and the schools differ there.

Across the madhahib

The four Sunni schools are not recorded as differing materially on this point in the sources reviewed. Where your own case turns on it, put it to a scholar of your school.

Before you act on this

General information, not legal or religious advice. Inheritance depends entirely on the exact family circumstances. Confirm the Canadian position with a lawyer in your province and any religious ruling with a qualified scholar.

Citations & sources

Every factual claim on this page traces to one of the references below. Legislation and dollar thresholds change — verify against the primary source before relying on any figure.

Islamic primary sources
  1. Surah an-Nisa 4:11 — shares of children and parents — Quran.com
  2. Surah an-Nisa 4:12 — shares of spouses and uterine siblings — Quran.com
  3. Surah an-Nisa 4:176 — the kalalah verse — Quran.com
  4. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 85: Laws of Inheritance (Faraid) — Sunnah.com
  5. Sahih Muslim, Book of Inheritance — Sunnah.com
Scholarly & institutional references
  1. Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
  2. Research — Cambridge Muslim College
  3. Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
  4. Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
Canadian legislation & government
  1. Administering estates — Government of Ontario
Canadian legal commentary
  1. Passport validity requirements entering canada — Treadstone Law
  2. Does common law spouse inherit without will ontario — Treadstone Law
  3. Can common law partner inherit without a will ontario — Treadstone Law
  4. Revoke personal care poa ontario — Treadstone Law
  5. Trust or just a will ontario — Treadstone Law
  6. Naming step parent guardian in will ontario — Treadstone Law
  7. Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law