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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Introduction To The Rights And Duties Of Women In Islam Women’s Inheritance in Islam In Islam, men and women have equivalent rights, including but not limited to working, acquiring wealth, possession of property, and the concept of inheritance.

The verses regarding inheritance were revealed to the Prophet (S) at a time that women in the world, and especially among the benighted Arabs, were bereft of worth or status. In the Age of Ignorance, men were ashamed when they heard that their newborn child was a girl and many innocent baby girls were even buried alive.

The possessions of the deceased went to their sons or eldest son only, and girls were deprived of inheritance altogether unless a father determined an amount in his will or his sons took pity upon their female siblings and gave them something. Thus, when the verse of inheritance gave women a definite share in the legacy, some people were astonished.

Regarding the conditions revolving around this verse’s revelation, Imam Fakhr Razi has written: Ibn ‘Abbas gives account that Aus ibn Thabit Ansari died and left behind his wife and three daughters. Two of his male cousins by the names of Sawid and ‘Arafjah, who were his inheritors, came and took all his possessions.

Aus’ wife came to the Prophet (S) and told her story and said, ‘Aus’ two inheritors left nothing for my daughters and I.’ The Prophet (S) said, ‘Return home until I see what God instructs.’ Subsequent to this was the revelation of the aforementioned verse, which shows that both men and women inherit.[^2] Indeed, by legislating women’s inheritance in such times, Islam has honored women and has considered their status as inheritors equal to that of men.

However, in Islamic law, the share of women’s inheritance is half that of men’s.