How should the distribution of an estate (in dinars) be calculated based on established fractional shares?

Chapter on the Roots of Inheritance Shares that Increase (Awl)

Al-Mughni

Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)

Book 32 · Issue 3 · Bab 2

Open in Qurani

Primary text

When the estate value is known (e.g., 40 dinars), the known fractional shares of the total ruling (the 'مسألة') are applied. For example, if the husband receives three shares constituting one-fifth of the ruling, he receives one-fifth of the 40 dinars, which is 8 dinars. If the parents each receive two-thirds of one-fifth of the ruling, they receive two-thirds of the husband's share (two-thirds of 8). The daughters receive the same amount as the parents combined. Alternatively, multiply each heir's shares by the total estate value and divide the result by the base number of the ruling ('al-mas'alah'). Or, divide the estate by the base number of the ruling and multiply the quotient by each heir's shares to determine their portion.