alfaraid

alFaraid is a term derived from Arabic that translates to "the obligatory" or "the fixed portions." In Islamic jurisprudence, it specifically refers to the laws of inheritance. These laws, as outlined in the Quran and the Sunnah (teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad), dictate how a deceased person's estate should be distributed among their legal heirs. The primary sources for alFaraid are specific verses in the Quran, notably Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), verses 11-12, and relevant Hadith.

The core principle of alFaraid is to ensure a just and equitable distribution of wealth, preventing disputes and maintaining social order. Certain heirs are assigned fixed shares, such as spouses, children, parents, and siblings, depending on their relationship to the deceased and the presence of other heirs. The complexity arises from the intricate calculations involved, which take into account various factors like the number of children, whether they are male or female, and the existence of parents or siblings. Specialized scholars, known as "Fara'id experts," are trained to perform these calculations. The system aims to balance the rights of all eligible heirs, ensuring that no one is unjustly deprived of their rightful inheritance.