The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Give the Fara'id (the shares of the inheritance that are prescribed in the Qur'an) to those who are entitled to receive it; and whatever is left should be given to the closest male relative of the deceased."
Laws of Inheritance (Al-Faraa'id) - Sahih al-Bukhari 6746
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Give the Fara'id (the shares of the inheritance that are prescribed in the Qur'an) to those who are entitled to receive it; and whatever is left should be given to the closest male relative of the deceased."
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith establishes the fundamental principle of Islamic inheritance law. The term "Fara'id" refers to the fixed shares allocated by Allah in the Qur'an to specific heirs, which take precedence over all other claims.
The first portion of the instruction emphasizes that these Qur'anic shares must be distributed exactly as prescribed to their designated recipients before any other distribution occurs. This demonstrates the divine wisdom in protecting the rights of vulnerable heirs.
The second portion addresses the residue (al-'asabah) - what remains after distributing the fixed shares. This residue is allocated to the closest male agnatic relative, following the principle of ta'sib (residual inheritance). This ensures complete distribution of the estate according to established hierarchies.
Legal Implications
This teaching establishes that fixed-share heirs (dhawu al-furud) have priority over residual heirs ('asabah). The sequence of distribution must begin with those mentioned in Surah an-Nisa' (4:11-12).
The "closest male relative" refers to agnatic relatives who inherit by virtue of their relationship to the deceased through male lineage. This system maintains balance between specific Qur'anic allocations and traditional Arabian inheritance practices.
Scholars agree this hadith provides the comprehensive framework for all inheritance cases, ensuring no estate remains undistributed while respecting both divine ordinance and familial obligations.