"The wife of Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi came with her two daughters from Sa'd to he Messenger of Allah(S.A.W)and said; O Messenger of Allah(S.A.W)! these two are daughters of Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi who fought along with you on the day of Uhud and was martyred. Their uncle took their wealth, without leaving any wealth for them, and they will not be married unless they have wealth.' He said: 'Allah will decide on that matter.' The ayah about inheritance was revealed, so the Messenger of Allah(S.A.W) sent (word) to their Uncle saying: Give the two daughters of Sa'd two thirds, and give their mother one eighth, and whatever remains, then it is for you.'
Chapters On Inheritance - Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2092
This narration from Jami` at-Tirmidhi establishes a foundational precedent in Islamic inheritance law, demonstrating how divine revelation addressed specific societal issues with precise legal solutions.
Historical Context and Legal Problem
The case involves the widow and daughters of Sa'd bin Ar-Rabi, a martyr of Uhud, whose brother seized all inheritance without providing for the female heirs, reflecting pre-Islamic customs where women were often excluded from inheritance.
The women's complaint highlights their vulnerable position - without wealth, they couldn't marry, exposing how economic disinheritance created social marginalization for women in pre-Islamic Arabia.
Divine Intervention and Legal Revelation
The Prophet's initial response "Allah will decide on that matter" indicates his awaiting divine guidance rather than applying pre-existing customs, demonstrating the Quranic legislation's responsive nature to real community needs.
The subsequent revelation of inheritance verses (later codified in Surah An-Nisa) provided the specific mathematical shares that revolutionized women's economic rights in 7th century Arabia.
Applied Inheritance Distribution
The Prophetic ruling allocated: two-thirds to the two daughters (following the Quranic principle that multiple female children receive two-thirds collectively), one-eighth to the mother (as prescribed when descendants exist), and the remainder to the paternal uncle as the closest male agnate (asabah).
This distribution established the fundamental Islamic inheritance principle of fixed shares (faraid) for specific heirs, with residual wealth going to male agnates, creating a balanced system between prescribed entitlements and customary practices.
Scholarly Significance
Classical scholars consider this hadith a primary textual evidence for several inheritance rules: the shares of daughters, the mother's share when descendants exist, and the role of asabah (residual heirs).
The case demonstrates Islam's revolutionary approach to women's economic rights, guaranteeing fixed inheritance shares centuries before similar rights emerged in other civilizations.