`awl
Quiz #1
Below is the answer to the problem given at the end of the previous post:
The estate will be divided into 48 equal portions:
Each Wife receives 3 portions.
The Paternal grandmother receives 18 portions.
The Akhyaafi brother receives 18 portions.
The rest are all non-heirs, and thus, deprived.
We’ve covered a lot of material thus far and its a major milestone to have reached this point. Everyone take a second to say Alhamdulillah with full ikhlaas (sincerity).
Before moving on, its imperative that you be tested on what has been covered so far.
Below, you will see a series of 12 inheritance scenarios. Each case is designed to test you on different types of problems: Some may involve `awl, some radd, others may involve resolving one or more categories, and yet others may involve a combination of these. You are not told which case involves what, that is for you to figure out. Your job is to simply solve the problem and come up with a final answer.
Solving Problems Using the Principle of `Awl
In this post, insha’Allah, we will learn how to apply `awl by solving example problems.
It should be understood that `awl can only be applied when the sum of the shares is greater than 1. When the sum of the shares is greater than 1, this will result in the sum of the portions being greater than the base number.
The application of `awl is actually very simple: As discussed in the previous post, after calculating the base number and the resulting portions we find that the sum of the portions is actually greater than the base number. To apply `awl, all we have to do is make this sum our new base number, while keeping the portions the same. This will result in reducing the shares of the categories proportionally.
Lets demonstrate with a few examples, insha’Allah.
Introduction to `Awl
Consider the following scenario:
A man dies leaving behind:
- 1 Wife
- Mother
- Father
- 2 Daughters
All of them inherit, no one is excluded. Upon adding up the shares, we find something seemingly strange. Take a look:
1/8 + 1/6 + 1/6 + 2/3 ＝ 1.125 ＝ 9/8
The shares add up to greater than 1. Has there been a mistake? No, not at all. In fact, there are numerous scenarios in which the shares of the heirs add up to greater than 1. Consequently, in these types of problems, when we calculate the base number and the portions given to each heir, we find that the sum of all portions is actually greater than the base number. In such scenarios, we apply the principle of `awl.
Islamic Inheritance Laws 