Hadith Text and Reference

"A sister's son has blood-relationship to her family." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Mishkat al-Masabih 3045

Linguistic Analysis

The term "blood-relationship" (rahim in Arabic) refers to kinship ties that establish rights of inheritance, maintenance, and mutual support according to Islamic law.

"Sister's son" (ibn al-ukht) specifically denotes the maternal nephew, establishing his legal connection to his maternal relatives.

Legal Implications for Inheritance and Wills

This hadith establishes that maternal nephews inherit from their maternal uncles and aunts when no Quranic heirs exist, as they are considered blood relatives (dhawu al-arham).

In cases where fixed-share heirs (asbab al-furud) are absent, the sister's son receives inheritance as a residual heir through the principle of ta'sib.

This ruling prevents the estate from being transferred to the public treasury (bayt al-mal) when closer relatives are unavailable.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam al-Nawawi explains this establishes the comprehensive nature of Islamic kinship, where maternal relations hold equal weight to paternal ones in establishing inheritance rights.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes this hadith demonstrates the completeness of Islamic inheritance law, ensuring no relative with legitimate blood ties is excluded from potential inheritance.

Classical scholars emphasize this principle applies particularly in the absence of Quranic heirs, ensuring family wealth remains within the extended bloodline.

Practical Application

When drafting wills, testators should acknowledge these inheritance rights and not attempt to completely disinherit maternal nephews when no closer heirs exist.

Islamic judges apply this ruling in inheritance distribution cases where the deceased leaves no direct descendants or ascendants.

This hadith reinforces the Islamic concept of extended family responsibility and mutual financial support among blood relatives.