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What is hibah and how does it work in Canada?

Hibah is a gift made during life, taking effect immediately.

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.

Hibah is a gift made during life, taking effect immediately.

The Canadian position

Canadian law recognises inter vivos gifts, with capital gains triggered on appreciated property.

Canadian law gives effect to whatever a valid will says, so an Islamic concept takes effect here through the drafting rather than automatically.

The Islamic position

Not subject to the one-third cap, but a gift made in the final illness is treated as a bequest.

Confirm the position for your own family and school with a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.

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. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55: Wills and Testaments (Wasaya) — Sunnah.com
  2. Sahih Muslim, Book of Wills — 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. What to do when someone has died — Canada Revenue Agency
Canadian legal commentary
  1. Title insurance does not cover ontario — Treadstone Law
  2. Severing joint tenancy without notice separation ontario — Treadstone Law
  3. Joint ownership right of survivorship probate risks ontario — Treadstone Law
  4. No entitlement to spousal support equal incomes — Treadstone Law
  5. Common law spousal support entitlement ontario — Treadstone Law
  6. Owner title insurance duration ontario — Treadstone Law
  7. Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law