Islamic law of succession in relation to women

Abstract

As far as Islam is concerned, the injunctions pertaining to the life of a Muslim are two; 1- Injunctions relating to his or her life and 2- those relating to what happens after his or her death; one of which is known as succession, which in Islam is based on rules and regulations. This paper seeks to explain the position of woman in the Arabian society prior to the advent of Islam, and also bring to bear the position of a woman in Islam as well as the justice accorded her as a mother, wife, sister, or daughter. The paper further explains the basis for inheritance regarding both males and females. The method adopted in this work is that of giving examples as and when necessary to establish the fairness of Islam in its approach to the law of succession. This paper establishes that from whom much is needed much is given; just as to whom much is given much is demanded. So for the male to be given more than the female -though not in all cases-, it reveals the kind of burden put on him as could be found clearly in the Islamic jurisprudence. The conclusion is that Islam does not discriminate between male and female in any way, but rather deals justly between them in all cases which include inheritance. The basis for allocation of anything is the right and the responsibility before an individual.

Keywords: Law, Succession, Islam, Woman