If a man marries four women in a single contract while terminally ill, who inherits upon his death?
Chapter on Distant Kindred (Dhawu al-Arham)
Al-Mughni
Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)
Primary text
The divorced wives inherit, provided they have not died beforehand. If they died before him, the inheritance goes to the newly married wives. If they acknowledged the end of their Iddah, and we hold that they inherit after the Iddah ends, the inheritance goes to the newly married wives. If three of the divorced wives die, the remaining one inherits. If one divorced wife and one or two of the new wives die, or if two divorced wives and one new wife die, the inheritance is shared among the remaining divorced wives.
Supporting text
If one divorced wife and three new wives die, or two divorced and two new wives, or three divorced and one new wife die, the inheritance is shared among the remaining divorced and new wives because it would be permissible if he were to contract marriage anew with the remaining number.