Laws of Inheritance (Al-Faraa'id) - Sahih al-Bukhari 6737

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Give the Fara'id, (the shares prescribed in the Qur'an) to those who are entitled to receive it, and then whatever remains, 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 command to "give the Fara'id to those who are entitled" emphasizes the divine nature of these allocations. These are not mere recommendations but obligatory shares that must be distributed before any other consideration.

The phrase "whatever remains, should be given to the closest male relative" refers to the 'Asabah (residual heirs). After distributing the prescribed shares, any remaining estate is allocated to male agnatic relatives according to their proximity to the deceased.

This systematic approach ensures justice: first fulfilling the Quranic obligations, then addressing the rights of other relatives through the residual inheritance, maintaining the family structure and providing for those without fixed shares.

Legal Implications

This hadith establishes the hierarchy in inheritance distribution: Quranic heirs with fixed shares must receive their portions first, followed by residual heirs.

The "closest male relative" refers to the system of 'Asabah where male relatives inherit based on their proximity to the deceased when no fixed-share heirs remain or after their shares are distributed.

This principle prevents disputes and ensures that wealth is distributed according to divine wisdom rather than human preference or emotional attachment.