Inheritance
Parents’ Share in Islamic Inheritance
By the Editorial Team · reviewed against our sources · updated September 2026 · guidance, not a fatwa
Each parent has a Qur’anic fixed share.
- Mother: 1/6 if the deceased left children (or two or more siblings); otherwise 1/3.
- Father: 1/6 if there are children. If there are only daughters, the father takes 1/6 plus the residue. If there are no children, the father is the residuary heir (ʿasaba) and takes what remains after other fixed shares.
A special rule (ʿUmariyyatān) applies when the heirs are a spouse plus both parents and no children: the mother takes 1/3 of the remainder after the spouse’s share. The calculator applies this automatically.
General guidance, not a fatwa. Rulings vary by school of thought (madhhab) and circumstance — confirm with a qualified scholar.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mother inherit in Islam?
The mother takes 1/6 if there are children or 2+ siblings, otherwise 1/3 (or 1/3 of the remainder after a spouse in the ʿUmariyyatān cases).
How much does a father inherit?
The father takes 1/6 when there are children; with only daughters he takes 1/6 plus the residue; with no children he takes the residue as the agnatic heir.