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Who Cannot Inherit in Islam?

Published in Islamic Inheritance Laws 1 min read

In Islam, certain individuals are barred from inheriting property. This restriction stems from Islamic jurisprudence and aims to uphold justice and prevent exploitation.

Categories of Individuals Excluded from Inheritance

Several categories of individuals are explicitly excluded from inheritance in Islamic law. These include:

  • Enslaved Individuals: A person who is enslaved cannot inherit property. This is a fundamental principle stemming from the status of enslaved people within the societal structure.

  • Murderers: A person who unlawfully kills another cannot inherit from their victim. This principle serves as a deterrent against violence and upholds the sanctity of life.

  • Individuals of a Different Religion: A non-Muslim cannot inherit from a Muslim, and vice versa. This aspect of inheritance law reflects the religious and societal boundaries within the Islamic context.

These restrictions are based on long-standing interpretations of Islamic law and aim to maintain fairness and prevent conflicts within families and communities. The specific rules and applications of inheritance laws can be complex and vary depending on different schools of thought within Islamic jurisprudence.

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