Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

God charges you concerning your children: for the male is the like of the portion of two females; but if there are women above two, then for them is two-thirds of what he left; and if she is one, then for her is half; and for his parents: for each one of them is one-sixth of what he left if he has a child. Then if he has not a child and there inherit from him his parents, for his mother is one-third; but if he has brothers or sisters: for his mother is one-sixth, after a bequest he has made, or debt — your parents and your children: you know not which of them is nearer to you in benefit — as an obligation from God; God is knowing and wise.

يُوص۪يكُمُ اللّٰهُ ف۪ٓي اَوْلَادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْاُنْثَيَيْنِۚ فَاِنْ كُنَّ نِسَٓاءً فَوْقَ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَۚ وَاِنْ كَانَتْ وَاحِدَةً فَلَهَا النِّصْفُۜ وَلِاَبَوَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا السُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ اِنْ كَانَ لَهُ وَلَدٌۚ فَاِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَوَرِثَهُٓ اَبَوَاهُ فَلِاُمِّهِ الثُّلُثُۚ فَاِنْ كَانَ لَهُٓ اِخْوَةٌ فَلِاُمِّهِ السُّدُسُ مِنْ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوص۪ي بِهَٓا اَوْ دَيْنٍۜ اٰبَٓاؤُ۬كُمْ وَاَبْنَٓاؤُ۬كُمْۚ لَا تَدْرُونَ اَيُّهُمْ اَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعاًۚ فَر۪يضَةً مِنَ اللّٰهِۜ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَل۪يماً حَك۪يماً
Yooseekumu Allahu fee awladikumliththakari mithlu haththialonthayayni fa-in kunna nisaan fawqa ithnatayni falahunnathulutha ma taraka wa-in kanat wahidatanfalaha annisfu wali-abawayhi likulli wahidinminhuma assudusu mimma taraka in kanalahu waladun fa-in lam yakun lahu waladun wawarithahu abawahufali-ommihi aththuluthu fa-in kana lahu ikhwatunfali-ommihi assudusu min baAAdi wasiyyatin yooseebiha aw daynin abaokum waabnaokum latadroona ayyuhum aqrabu lakum nafAAan fareedatan mina Allahiinna Allaha kana AAaleeman hakeema
#wordmeaningroot
1yūṣīkumuInstructs youوصي
2l-lahuAllah
3concerning
4awlādikumyour children ولد
5lildhakarifor the maleذكر
6mith'lulikeمثل
7ḥaẓẓi(the) portionحظظ
8l-unthayayni(of) two femalesانث
9fa-inBut if
10kunnathere areكون
11nisāan(only) womenنسو
12fawqamore (than)فوق
13ith'nataynitwoثني
14falahunnathen for them
15thuluthātwo thirdsثلث
16(of) what
17tarakahe leftترك
18wa-inAnd if
19kānat(there) isكون
20wāḥidatan(only) oneوحد
21falahāthen for her
22l-niṣ'fu(is) halfنصف
23wali-abawayhiAnd for his parentsابو
24likullifor eachكلل
25wāḥidinoneوحد
26min'humāof them
27l-sudusua sixthسدس
28mimmāof what
29taraka(is) leftترك
30inif
31kānaisكون
32lahufor him
33waladuna childولد
34fa-inBut if
35lamnot
36yakunisكون
37lahufor him
38waladunany childولد
39wawarithahuand inherit[ed] himورث
40abawāhuhis parentsابو
41fali-ummihithen for his motherامم
42l-thuluthu(is) one thirdثلث
43fa-inAnd if
44kānaareكون
45lahufor him
46ikh'watunbrothers and sistersاخو
47fali-ummihithen for his motherامم
48l-sudusu(is) the sixthسدس
49minfrom
50baʿdiafterبعد
51waṣiyyatinany willوصي
52yūṣīhe has madeوصي
53bihā[of which]
54awor
55dayninany debtدين
56ābāukumYour parentsابو
57wa-abnāukumand your children بني
58not
59tadrūnayou knowدري
60ayyuhumwhich of them
61aqrabu(is) nearerقرب
62lakumto you
63nafʿan(in) benefitنفع
64farīḍatanAn obligationفرض
65minafrom
66l-lahiAllah
67innaIndeed
68l-lahaAllah
69kānaisكون
70ʿalīmanAll-Knowingعلم
71ḥakīmanAll-Wiseحكم
  • Aisha Bewley

    Allah instructs you regarding your children: A male receives the same as the share of two females. If there are more than two daughters they receive two-thirds of what you leave. If she is one on her own she receives a half. Each of your parents receives a sixth of what you leave if you have children. If you are childless and your heirs are your parents your mother receives a third. If you have brothers or sisters your mother receives a sixth, after any bequest you make or any debts. With regard to your fathers and your sons, you do not know which of them is going to benefit you more. These are obligatory shares from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Progressive Muslims

    God directs you regarding the inheritance of your children: "To the male shall be as that given to two females. If they are only females and more than two, then they will have two thirds of what is inherited. And if there is only one female, then she will have one half, and to his parents each one of them one sixth of what is inherited if he has children. If he has no children and his parents are the heirs, then to his mother is one third; if he has siblings then to his mother is one sixth. All after a will is carried through or a debt. Your parents and your children, you do not know which is closer to you in benefit, a directive from God, God is Knowledgeable, Wise."

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Preparing a will is a duty ordained (2:180). Allah decrees a will for the benefit of your children. (Since the sons have the responsibility to take care of the family, and daughters will be cared for by their husbands, or if unmarried, by other males in the family), sons get twice the share of daughters. If two, or more, daughters are the only inheritors, they get two-thirds. If only one daughter is left, she gets one-half. If the deceased has left any children, then parents get one-sixth each. If there are no children, and parents are the only heirs, the mother gets a third and the father gets two-thirds, since the male has the fiscal responsibility of the family. If the deceased has left brothers or sisters, the mother gets one-sixth and the father gets one third. Remember, this distribution shall take place after fulfilling the will if the deceased has left one, and after paying off all debts. As for your parents and your children, you know not which of them is more deserving of benefit from you. Such is the Ordinance from Allah. Verily, Allah is Omniscient, Wise.

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    God charges you concerning your children: for the male is the like of the portion of two females; but if there are women above two, then for them is two-thirds of what he left; and if she is one, then for her is half; and for his parents: for each one of them is one-sixth of what he left if he has a child. Then if he has not a child and there inherit from him his parents, for his mother is one-third; but if he has brothers or sisters: for his mother is one-sixth, after a bequest he has made, or debt — your parents and your children: you know not which of them is nearer to you in benefit — as an obligation from God; God is knowing and wise.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    God directs you regarding the inheritance of your children: "To the male shall be as that given to two females. If they are women, more than two, then they will have two thirds of what is inherited. And if she is only one, then she will have one half. And to his parents, each one of them shall have one sixth of what is inherited, if he has a child. If he has no child and his parents are the heirs, then to his mother is one third; if he has siblings then to his mother is one sixth. All after a will is carried through or a debt. Your parents and your children, you do not know which are closer to you in benefit, a directive from God, for God is Knowledgeable, Wise."

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    God directs you regarding the inheritance of your children, "To the male shall be as that given to two females. If they are only females and more than two, then they will have two thirds of what is inherited. If there is only one female, then she will have one-half, and to his parents each one of them one sixth of what is inherited if he has children. If he has no children and his parents are the heirs, then to his mother is one third; if he has siblings then to his mother is one sixth. All after a will is carried through or a debt. Your parents and your children, you do not know which is closer to you in benefit, a directive from God, God is Knowledgeable, Wise."

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    GOD decrees a will for the benefit of your children; the male gets twice the share of the female. If the inheritors are only women, more than two, they get two-thirds of what is bequeathed. If only one daughter is left, she gets one-half. The parents of the deceased get one-sixth of the inheritance each, if the deceased has left any children. If he left no children, and his parents are the only inheritors, the mother gets one-third. If he has siblings, then the mother gets one-sixth. All this, after fulfilling any will the deceased has left, and after paying off all debts. When it comes to your parents and your children, you do not know which of them is really the best to you and the most beneficial. This is GOD's law. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.*

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    As for the children, God decrees that the share of the male is equivalent to that of two females. If they consist of women only, and of them more than two, they will get two-thirds of the inheritance; but in case there is one, she will inherit one half. The parents will each inherit a sixth of the estate if it happens the deceased has left a child; but if he has left no children, and his parents are his heirs, then the mother will inherit one-third; but if he has left brothers, the mother will inherit one-sixth after payment of legacies and debts. Of parents and children you do not know who are more useful to you. These are the decrees of God who knows all and is wise.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are daughters, two or more, for them is two thirds of one's estate. And if there is only one, for her is half. And for one's parents, to each one of them is a sixth of his estate if he left children. But if he had no children and the parents inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers , for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. an obligation by Allah. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.

  • Muhammad Asad

    CONCERNING your children, God enjoins upon you: The male shall have the equal of two females’ share; but if there are more than two females, they shall have two-thirds of what leave behind; and if there is only one daughter, she shall have one-half thereof. And as for the parents , each of them shall have one-sixth of what he leaves behind, in the event of his having a child; but if he has left no child and his parents are his heirs, then his mother shall have one-third; and if he has brothers and sisters, then his mother shall have one-sixth after any bequest he may have made, or any debt . As for your parents and your children - you know not which of them is more deserving of benefit from you: ordinance from God. Verily, God is all-knowing, wise.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Allah chargeth you concerning (the provision for) your children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two females, and if there be women more than two, then theirs is two-thirds of the inheritance, and if there be one (only) then the half. And to each of his parents a sixth of the inheritance, if he have a son; and if he have no son and his parents are his heirs, then to his mother appertaineth the third; and if he have brethren, then to his mother appertaineth the sixth, after any legacy he may have bequeathed, or debt (hath been paid). Your parents and your children: Ye know not which of them is nearer unto you in usefulness. It is an injunction from Allah. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Allah thus commands you concerning your children: the share of the male is like that of two females. If (the heirs of the deceased are) more than two daughters, they shall have two-thirds of the inheritance; and if there is only one daughter, then she shall have half the inheritance. If the deceased has any offspring, each of his parents shall have a sixth of the inheritance; and if the deceased has no child and his parents alone inherit him, then one-third shall go to his mother; and if the deceased has brothers and sisters, then one-sixth shall go to his mother. All these shares are to be given after payment of the bequest he might have made or any debts outstanding against him. You do not know which of them, your parents or your children, are more beneficial to you. But these portions have been determined by Allah, for He indeed knows all, is cognizant of all beneficent considerations.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Allah commends - to you your children thus:

  • Bijan Moeinian

    Good, hereby, decrees the best way of distributing the inheritance: First the deceased debts should be paid. Then the deceased will (limited up to 1/3rd of the inheritance) should be fulfilled. The sons will inherit twice as much as the daughters. If there is only one daughter (no son) left, she will receive half of the inheritance. If there are more than one daughter (and no son) they will receive 2/3rd of the inheritance together. The parents of the deceased will get each 1/6th of what the deceased one has left behind (if there is a child); if there is no children involved and the parents are the only inheritors, the mother of the deceased will inherit 1/3rd of what is left behind, if the deceased dos not have a brother. If there is a brother involved, the mother then will get 1/6th.You can not decide who is dearer to you: your children or your parents. God is his Wisdom has decided the inheritance being divided in this way. This is God’s law, He is the Most Knowledgeable and Wise.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Allâh commands you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females; if (there are) only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of inheritance to each if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased left brothers (or sisters), the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies he may have bequeathed or debts. You know not which of them, whether your parents or your children, are nearest to you in benefit; (these fixed shares) are ordained by Allâh. And Allâh is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Allah (thus) directs you as regards your Children's (Inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females: if only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; if only one, her share is a half. For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; if no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; if the deceased Left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The distribution in all cases ('s) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-knowing, Al-wise.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Allah commands you regarding your children: the share of the male will be twice that of the female. If you leave only two ˹or more˺ females, their share is two-thirds of the estate. But if there is only one female, her share will be one-half. Each parent is entitled to one-sixth if you leave offspring. But if you are childless and your parents are the only heirs, then your mother will receive one-third. But if you leave siblings, then your mother will receive one-sixth—after the fulfilment of bequests and debts. ˹Be fair to˺ your parents and children, as you do not ˹fully˺ know who is more beneficial to you. ˹This is˺ an obligation from Allah. Surely Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Allah directs you concerning your children: for a male there is a share equal to that of two females. But, if they are (only) women, more than two, then they get two-thirds of what one leaves behind. If she is one, she gets one-half. As for his parents, for each of them, there is one-sixth of what he leaves in case he has a child. But, if he has no child and his parents have inherited him, then his mother gets one-third. If he has some brothers (or sisters), his mother gets one-sixth, all after (settling) the will he might have made, or a debt. You do not know who, out of your fathers and your sons, is closer to you in benefiting (you). All this is determined by Allah. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Abdul Haleem

    Concerning your children, God commands you that a son should have the equivalent share of two daughters. If there are only daughters, two or more should share two-thirds of the inheritance, if one, she should have half. Parents inherit a sixth each if the deceased leaves children; if he leaves no children and his parents are his sole heirs, his mother has a third, unless he has brothers, in which case she has a sixth. after payment of any bequests or debts. You cannot know which of your parents or your children is more beneficial to you: this is a law from God, and He is all knowing, all wise.

  • Arthur John Arberry

    God charges you, concerning your children: to the male the like of the portion of two females, and if they be women above two, then for them two-thirds of what he leaves, but if she be one then to her a half; and to his parents to each one of the two the sixth of what he leaves, if he has children; but if he has no children, and his heirs are his parents, a third to his mother, or, if he has brothers, to his mother a sixth, after any bequest he may bequeath, or any debt. Your fathers and your sons -- you know not which out of them is nearer in profit to you. So God apportions; surely God is All-knowing, All-wise.

  • E. Henry Palmer

    God instructs you concerning your children; for a male the like of the portion of two females, and if there be women above two, then let them have two-thirds of what (the deceased) leaves; and if there be but one, then let her have a half; and as to the parents, to each of them a sixth of what he leaves, if he has a son; but if he have no son, and his parents inherit, then let his mother have a third, and if he have brethren, let his mother have a sixth after payment of the bequest he bequeaths and of his debt. Your parents or your children, ye know not which of them is nearest to you in usefulness: - an ordinance this from God; verily, God is knowing and wise!

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Allah instructs you concerning your children; for a male the like of the portion of two females, and if there be more than two women, then let them have two-thirds of the inheritance; and if there be but one, then let her have a half. And as to the parents, to each of them a sixth of what he leaves, if he has a son; but if he have no son, and his parents inherit, then let his mother have a third, and if he have brethren, let his mother have a sixth after any legacy he bequeaths or debt has been paid. Your parents or your children, you know not which of them is nearest to you in usefulness. This is an ordinance from Allah; verily, Allah is Knower and Wise!

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Allah enjoins you concerning your children: to the male the like of the portion of two females; so in case they are women above two, then for them is two-thirds of whatever he has left; and in case she be one, then to her is the half. And to (both) his (i.e., the deceased's) parents, to each one of the two is the sixth of whatever he has left in case he has children; then in case he has no children, and his parents are his heirs, then a third is to his mother; (yet) in case he has brothers, then to his mother is the sixth, even after any bequest he may bequeath, or any debt. Your fathers and your sons (Or: children) - you do not realize which of them is nearer in profit to you. (This is) an ordinance from Allah; surely Allah has been Ever-Knowing, Ever-Wise.

  • George Sale

    God hath thus commanded you concerning your children. A male shall have as much as the share of two females: But if they be females only, and above two in number, they shall have two third parts of what the deceased shall leave; and if there be but one, she shall have the half. And the parents of the deceased shall have each of them a sixth part of what he shall leave, if he have a child: But if he have no child, and his parents be his heirs, then his mother shall have the third part. And if he have brethren, his mother shall have a sixth part, after the legacies which he shall bequeath, and his debts be paid. Ye know not whether your parents or your children be of greater use unto you. This is an ordinance from God, and God is knowing and wise.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Allah commands you regarding (the inheritance for) your children: To the male, a portion equal to that of two females: If only daughters, two or more, their share is two-thirds of the inheritance; If only one, her share is a half... For parents, a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; If no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third; If the deceased left brothers (or sisters), the mother has a sixth. (The distributions in all cases is) after the payment of legacies or debts. You know not, which of them, whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in benefit. These are portions settled by Allah; And Allah is ever All Knowing (Aleem), All Wise (Hakeem).

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Allâh prescribes (the following) law (of inheritance) for your children. For male is the equal of the portion of two females; but if they be all females (two or) more than two, for them is two thirds of what he (- the deceased) has left; and if there be only one, for her is the half and for his parents, for each one of the two is a sixth of what he has left, if he (- the deceased) has a child; but if he has no child and his parents only be his heirs, then for the mother is one third (and the rest two thirds is for the father); but if there be (in addition to his parents) his brothers (and sisters) then there is one sixth for the mother after (the payment of) any bequest he may have bequeathed or (still more important) of any debt (- bequests made by the testator and his debts shall however be satisfied first). Your fathers and your children, you do not know which of them deserve better to benefit from you. (This) fixing (of portions) is from Allâh. Surely, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Allah enjoins you concerning your children: for the male shall be the like of the share of two females, and if there be more than two females, then for them shall be two-thirds of what he leaves; but if she be alone, then for her shall be a half; and for each of his parents a sixth of what he leaves, if he has children; but if he has no children, and his parents are his heirs, then it shall be a third for his mother; but if he has brothers, then a sixth for his mother, after any bequest he may have made or any debt . Your parents and your children —you do not know which of them is likelier to be beneficial for you. This is an ordinance from Allah. Indeed Allah is all-knowing, all-wise.