لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًا مَّفْرُوضًا 7
Translations
For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share.
Transliteration
Lilrrijali nasibun mimma taraka alwalidan wa-al-aqrabun wa lilnnisa-i nasibun mimma taraka alwalidan wa-al-aqrabun mimma qalla minhu aw kathur nasiban mafrudan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the principle of inheritance for both men and women from the estates of parents and relatives, with the portion being obligatory and fixed (mafrudan). Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir emphasize that this verse inaugurated a revolutionary change in pre-Islamic Arab society by granting women legal inheritance rights, which was previously denied to them. The use of 'nasib' (portion/share) indicates that inheritance is a right-based entitlement, not merely a gift dependent on discretion, and applies regardless of the size of the estate (whether small or large).
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in Medina and forms part of the detailed Quranic legislation on inheritance law (Surah An-Nisa, verses 7-14). It responds to the pre-Islamic Arabian practice of excluding women and minors from inheritance, establishing Islamic inheritance principles as part of the broader Medinan reforms that strengthened communal and family structures.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'Give the shares (of inheritance) to those who are entitled to them according to the Book of Allah.' Also relevant is the hadith in Sunan Abu Dawud where the Prophet emphasized that mothers, wives, and daughters must receive their prescribed shares of inheritance.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah demonstrates Islam's commitment to economic justice and the protection of women's rights, granting them secure legal status as inheritors of family wealth independent of male discretion. For modern Muslims, it serves as a foundational principle that Islamic law prioritizes the material security and dignity of all family members, regardless of gender.
Related Ayahs
مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ثَوَابَ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ ثَوَابُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
Whoever desires the reward of this world - then with Allāh is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And ever is Allāh Hearing and Seeing.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱفْتَرَىٰٓ إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا
Indeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.
فَكَيْفَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۢ بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ ثُمَّ جَآءُوكَ يَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَآ إِلَّآ إِحْسَـٰنًا وَتَوْفِيقًا
So how [will it be] when disaster strikes them because of what their hands have put forth and then they come to you swearing by Allāh, "We intended nothing but good conduct and accommodation."
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًۢا بَعِيدًا
Indeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly gone far astray.