What is the extent of Awl when the primary denominator is 12?
Chapter on the Roots of Inheritance Shares that Increase (Awl)
Al-Mughni
Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)
Primary text
When the primary denominator is 12 (which arises from combining one-quarter with other fractions, such as one-sixth or one-third/two-thirds, by multiplying the denominators 4 and 3), the case can increase (Awl) up to 13, 15, or 17, but not beyond. This base of 12 mandates the presence of either the husband or wife, as one-quarter cannot be assigned to anyone else. A case that reaches 17 is known as Um al-Arāmil (Mother of Widows), where seventeen shares are distributed equally among female heirs of various relations, and the deceased must be a male in such a configuration.
Supporting text
If the case involves one-half and one-third/two-thirds, the denominator is 6. If it involves one-half and one-sixth, the denominator is 6. If it involves one-third or two-thirds and one-sixth, the denominator is 6.