The Hadith Text and Context

From the book "Chapters On Inheritance" in Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2098. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Give the shares of inheritance to those who are entitled to them. As for what remains, then it is for the closest male relative."

Explanation of the Inheritance Principle

This hadith establishes the fundamental principle of Islamic inheritance law. First, the fixed shares (fara'id) prescribed in the Quran must be distributed to those specifically designated heirs such as spouses, parents, daughters, and siblings according to their Quranic portions.

Only after these obligatory shares have been fully allocated does any remaining estate pass to the 'closest male relative' (known as 'asabah). This ensures justice by prioritizing Quranic heirs before general male relatives.

The Role of 'Asabah (Residual Heirs)

The 'closest male relative' refers to agnatic heirs who inherit what remains after fixed shares. These typically include sons, fathers, brothers, and paternal uncles. Their order of priority follows proximity of relationship to the deceased.

This system prevents wealth from being dispersed without structure while maintaining family support systems through male relatives who traditionally bore financial responsibilities.

Scholarly Interpretation and Application

Classical scholars like Imam al-Tirmidhi and others emphasized that this narration complements Quranic inheritance verses. It provides the methodology for distribution when fixed shares don't exhaust the estate.

The ruling applies regardless of whether the remaining portion is large or small. The sequence is inviolable: fixed shareholders first, then residual heirs. This preserves both the rights of specific heirs and the integrity of family wealth preservation.