Her mother died before her grandfather. Does she inherit anything from her grandfather?
Question: 2099
Salaamu-Alaikum.
My wife’s grandfather (from her mother’s side) left a large amount in his
estate, after his death (may Allah SWT bless him). As he didn’t leave a will, the estate
is being distributed amongst his children. However, my wife’s mother died before the
grandfather (may Allah SWT bless them both) and left three children. Now my wife has been
told by one of her aunts that according to Islamic Law, as her mother died before the
grandfather she and her two brothers are not entitled to any part of the estate. Could you
please state whether this is true and if not what is the right way of distributing the
estate.
Jazakallahulkhairun.
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.
Yes, what your wife has heard from one of her aunts is correct. Your wife
has no right to her mothers share of her grandfathers estate, because your
mother-in-law died before her father. She thus had no share in her fathers estate
because one of the conditions of inheritance is that the heir should be alive after the
death of the person from whom he or she is to inherit. This condition is not met in this
case, therefore your wife has nothing except her share of her own mothers estate.
The grandfathers estate should be divided among his own heirs, so his children, for
example (your wifes maternal uncles and aunts), will be given their shares according
to Islamic law, which is two shares for males and one share for females. If the
grandfather left a wife behind when he died, she should be given one-eighth of the estate,
and so on. And Allaah knows best.
Source:
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
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