How should inheritance be divided among three uterine brothers, one of whom is also a cousin, and three cousins, one of whom is also a uterine brother?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)

Book 32 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The shares must be determined by first totaling the groups: combining the extra cousin with the group of cousins and the extra uterine brother with the group of uterine brothers. This results in four cousins and four uterine brothers, totaling six individuals. The shares must be resolved such that two-thirds (2/3) of the estate goes to the cousins (divided among four) and one-third (1/3) goes to the uterine brothers (divided among four). This resolves into a common denominator of twelve. Each sole uterine brother receives one share, and each sole cousin receives two shares. The individual who is both a cousin and a brother receives three shares, thus receiving half of the total estate, with the remaining half distributed among the other four individuals.

Supporting text

According to the opinion of Abdullah, the uterine brothers receive one-third (1/3) of the estate, and the remainder is given to the two cousins who are also brothers.