Islamic Will: Faraid, UK Law & How to Create One
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In the UK, faraid inheritance shares do not apply automatically. Without a valid will, intestacy rules distribute your estate in ways that can directly contradict Islamic law. An Islamic will fixes this: it makes the faraid shares legally binding, records the one-third you may direct to charity or non-heirs, and appoints guardians for minor children. This guide covers the Quranic shares, what a valid will requires in the UK, and how probate works in practice.
Quick Answer
In the UK, faraid (Quranic inheritance shares) does not apply automatically: without a valid will, intestacy rules decide who inherits, and they do not follow Islamic law. An Islamic will makes faraid legally binding, directs up to one-third of the net estate to charity or non-heirs, and appoints guardians and executors. A valid will needs your signature and two independent adult witnesses.
Key Takeaways
- Faraid does NOT apply by default in the UK; a valid will is what makes it binding
- Intestacy rules give the spouse the first 322,000 GBP plus half the rest in England and Wales
- The wasiyya covers at most one-third of the net estate, for charity or non-heirs only
- A written will signed before two independent adult witnesses is valid in England and Wales
- Executors collect assets via a grant of probate; inheritance tax is settled with HMRC first
- Online Islamic will services like IFG Wills and Wahed Wills make standard wills cheap or free
Faraid Inheritance Shares
These are the primary Quranic shares (from Surah An-Nisa 4:11-12). Actual distribution depends on which heirs survive the deceased. When multiple categories are present, the calculation becomes complex, and specialist Islamic will services and scholars work from the full faraid rules rather than summaries.
| Heir | Condition | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | Wife has no children | 1/2 |
| Husband | Wife has children | 1/4 |
| Wife | Husband has no children | 1/4 |
| Wife | Husband has children | 1/8 |
| Son | With other heirs | Residuary (asaba) |
| Daughter | No son, one daughter | 1/2 |
| Daughter | No son, two+ daughters | 2/3 (shared) |
| Father | Deceased has children | 1/6 |
| Mother | Deceased has children | 1/6 |
| Mother | No children, no 2+ siblings | 1/3 |
How to Create an Islamic Will
Inventory your assets
List property (noting how it is owned), bank accounts, ISAs, pensions, shares and funds, business interests, vehicles, gold, and debts owed to and by you. Note that jointly owned property and pension death benefits may pass outside the will unless you act.
Identify your faraid heirs
Faraid-eligible heirs are your spouse, children, parents, and in some cases siblings. In the UK their shares apply only if your will directs them; without a will, intestacy rules distribute the estate differently.
Decide your one-third wasiyya
You may direct up to one-third of your net estate to charity or to people who are not already heirs. Bequests beyond one-third, or to existing heirs, need the other heirs' consent after death under classical fiqh.
Record guardianship and name executors
A will lets you appoint legal guardians for children under 18 and name executors to administer your estate. These appointments are legally effective in the UK, unlike informal wishes.
Execute the will properly
Sign the document in the presence of two independent adult witnesses who also sign; witnesses and their spouses must not be beneficiaries. This makes the will valid in England and Wales; Scotland has its own signing rules.
Review with a professional and keep it findable
Use a specialist Islamic will service or solicitor to confirm the faraid clauses and witnessing are correctly handled, then tell your family where the will is kept. Review after marriages, births, deaths, and major purchases; marriage revokes an existing will in England and Wales.
Learn More About Inheritance in the UK
Our estate planning hub covers faraid in depth, probate, inheritance tax, hiba (lifetime gifts), and when to engage a solicitor.
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-08-03
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