Answered by Ustadha Zaynab Ansari, SunniPath Academy Teacher
I am a Muslim convert from the US. No one from my family besides me is Muslim. I am married to a Muslim woman. We have no children. Therefore, is my wife entitled to all of my inheritance (irth), excluding the 1/3 I can make for bequest (wasiyya)?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Praise be to Allah.
May the peace and blessings of Allah shower upon our beloved Messenger.
Dear Brother,
I pray this message finds you and your family well.
Yes, you may bequeath up to 1/3 of your wealth to whomever you wish, Muslim or non-Muslim. However, your wife, as your sole Muslim family member, is the only person who is entitled to a legal share of inheritance (irth). She would indeed retain the remaining 2/3 of your estate.
Please refer to “Bequeath: Are gifts to non-Muslim family members or a Muslim friend permissible?” at http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=3296&CATE=201.
And Allah knows best.
