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Surah An-Nisa, Verse 12

سورة النساء، الآية ١٢

4:12 Juz 4 Hizb 8 Page 79 of the mushaf Medinan surah

Text of verse 4:12

وَلَكُمْ نِصْفُ مَا تَرَكَ أَزْوَٰجُكُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُنَّ وَلَدٌ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُنَّ وَلَدٌ فَلَكُمُ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْنَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِينَ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ وَلَهُنَّ ٱلرُّبُعُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُمْ إِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّكُمْ وَلَدٌ فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ وَلَدٌ فَلَهُنَّ ٱلثُّمُنُ مِمَّا تَرَكْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ تُوصُونَ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ وَإِن كَانَ رَجُلٌ يُورَثُ كَلَٰلَةً أَوِ ٱمْرَأَةٌ وَلَهُۥٓ أَخٌ أَوْ أُخْتٌ فَلِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ فَإِن كَانُوٓا۟ أَكْثَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ فَهُمْ شُرَكَآءُ فِى ٱلثُّلُثِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصَىٰ بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ غَيْرَ مُضَآرٍّ وَصِيَّةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَلِيمٌ ۝١٢

Transliteration

walakum niṣ'fu mā taraka azwājukum in lam yakun lahunna waladun fa-in kāna lahunna waladun falakumu l-rubuʿu mimmā tarakna min baʿdi waṣiyyatin yūṣīna bihā aw daynin walahunna l-rubuʿu mimmā taraktum in lam yakun lakum waladun fa-in kāna lakum waladun falahunna l-thumunu mimmā taraktum min baʿdi waṣiyyatin tūṣūna bihā aw daynin wa-in kāna rajulun yūrathu kalālatan awi im'ra-atun walahu akhun aw ukh'tun falikulli wāḥidin min'humā l-sudusu fa-in kānū akthara min dhālika fahum shurakāu fī l-thuluthi min baʿdi waṣiyyatin yūṣā bihā aw daynin ghayra muḍārrin waṣiyyatan mina l-lahi wal-lahu ʿalīmun ḥalīmun

Translation

And for you is half of what your wives leave if they have no child. But if they have a child, for you is one fourth of what they leave, after any bequest they [may have] made or debt. And for them [i.e., the wives] is one fourth if you leave no child. But if you leave a child, then for them is an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you [may have] made or debt. And if a man or woman leaves neither ascendants nor descendants but has a brother or a sister, then for each one of them is a sixth. But if they are more than two, they share a third,167 after any bequest which was made or debt, as long as there is no detriment [caused].168 [This is] an ordinance from Allāh, and Allāh is Knowing and Forbearing.

Notes

[167] These shares are divided equally between males and females. The siblings referred to in this verse are from the mother's side only. Those from
the father or both parents are mentioned in Āyah 176.
[168] This is a condition for any bequest. If it has been violated by the deceased, his bequest is not to be honored, or it may be adjusted by the executor. See 2:182.

Translation in another language
Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hussary Read in the surah

Verse 12 of Surah An-Nisa (4:12), a Medinan surah, is in juz 4, on page 79 of the mushaf. Read it in Arabic with its transliteration, translations and tafsir, and listen to it recited by 72 reciters.

Listen to verse 12 of Surah An-Nisa

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Tafsir of verse 12

Al-Mukhtasar

You have half of what your wives leave, if they have no child. If they have a child, whether it is your child or not, then you get a fourth of the wealth they leave, after any bequest they have made and the repayment of any debts they had. Wives get a quarter of what you leave, if you have no child, whether it is their child or not. If you have a child, then they get an eighth of what you leave, after any bequest you have made and the repayment of any debts you had. If someone dies without any parents or children to inherit from them, but they have a brother or sister from the same mother as them, then each of them gets a sixth. If they have more than one brother or sister from the same mother as them, then they share a third, with brothers and sisters receiving the same share – this is after any bequest that they leave and the repayment of any debts they had, with the condition that the bequest does not cause harm to any of the inheritors, such as it being more than a third of the total of the wealth. The rulings contained in the verses about inheritance law are an obligation on you, and Allah knows what is in the interests of His servants in this world and the Afterlife. He is forbearing, and not quick to punish.

Tafsir of the whole Surah An-Nisa

Other translations of verse 12

Your share is half of your wives’ estate if they leave no child; but if they leave a child, you get one-fourth, after settling the bequests or debts. Your wives’ share is one-fourth of your estate if you leave no child, but if you leave a child, they get one-eighth, after settling the bequests or debts. If a man or a woman leaves neither parents nor offspring10, but has a brother or a sister, each one gets one-sixth11; but if they are more than two, they share in one-third, after settling the bequests or debts, without causing harm to the heirs. This is an instruction from Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing, Most Forbearing.

Notes

[10] Kalālah: A person who has no living children or parents; (from iklīl), wreath, as his brothers and sisters surround him like a wreath surrounds the head.
[11] These shares are divided equally between males and females.

In that which your wives leave, your share is a half if they have no child; but if they leave a child, you get a fourth of that which they leave after payment of legacies that they may have bequeathed or debts. In that which you leave, their (your wives) share is a fourth if you leave no child; but if you leave a child, they get an eighth of that which you leave after payment of legacies that you may have bequeathed or debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third, after payment of legacies he (or she) may have bequeathed or debts, so that no loss is caused (to anyone). This is a Commandment from Allâh; and Allâh is Ever All-Knowing, Most-Forbearing.

And unto you belongeth a half of that which your wives leave, if they have no child; but if they have a child then unto you the fourth of that which they leave, after any legacy they may have bequeathed, or debt (they may have contracted, hath been paid). And unto them belongeth the fourth of that which ye leave if ye have no child, but if ye have a child then the eighth of that which ye leave, after any legacy ye may have bequeathed, or debt (ye may have contracted, hath been paid). And if a man or a woman have a distant heir (having left neither parent nor child), and he (or she) have a brother or a sister (only on the mother's side) then to each of them twain (the brother and the sister) the sixth, and if they be more than two, then they shall be sharers in the third, after any legacy that may have been bequeathed or debt (contracted) not injuring (the heirs by willing away more than a third of the heritage) hath been paid. A commandment from Allah. Allah is Knower, Indulgent.

In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they leave no child; but if they leave a child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a child, they get an eighth; after payment of legacies and debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to any one). Thus is it ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-knowing, Most Forbearing.

And you shall have half of what your wives leave if they have no child, but if they have a child, then you shall have a fourth of what they leave after (payment of) any bequest they may have bequeathed or a debt; and they shall have the fourth of what you leave if you have no child, but if you have a child then they shall have the eighth of what you leave after (payment of) a bequest you may have bequeathed or a debt; and if a man or a woman leaves property to be inherited by neither parents nor offspring, and he (or she) has a brother or a sister, then each of them two shall have the sixth, but if they are more than that, they shall be sharers in the third after (payment of) any bequest that may have been bequeathed or a debt that does not harm (others); this is an ordinance from Allah: and Allah is Knowing, Forbearing.

And for you is a half of whatever your spouses have left, in case they have no children; (yet) in case they have children, then for you is the fourth of whatever they have left, (only) after any bequest they may have bequeathed, (Literally: enjoined) or any debt. And for them is a fourth of whatever you have left, in case you have no children; yet in case you have children, then they have an eighth of whatever you have left, (only) after any bequest you may have bequeathed, or any debt. And in case a man or a woman has no heir direct, and has a brother or a sister, then to each one of the two is the sixth; yet in case they are more numerous than that, then they shall be sharers in the third, (only) after any bequest may have been bequeathed, or any debt, without harming (others). (This is) an injunction from Allah; and Allah is Ever-Knowing, Ever-Forbearing.

Verse 12 word by word

  1. وَلَكُمْ walakum And for you
  2. نِصْفُ niṣ'fu (is) half ن ص ف
  3. مَا mā (of) what
  4. تَرَكَ taraka (is) left ت ر ك
  5. أَزْوَٰجُكُمْ azwājukum by your wives ز و ج
  6. إِن in if
  7. لَّمْ lam not
  8. يَكُن yakun is ك و ن
  9. لَّهُنَّ lahunna for them
  10. وَلَدٌ waladun a child و ل د
  11. فَإِن fa-in But if
  12. كَانَ kāna is ك و ن
  13. لَهُنَّ lahunna for them
  14. وَلَدٌ waladun a child و ل د
  15. فَلَكُمُ falakumu then for you
  16. ٱلرُّبُعُ l-rubuʿu (is) the fourth ر ب ع
  17. مِمَّا mimmā of what
  18. تَرَكْنَ tarakna they left ت ر ك
  19. مِنۢ min from
  20. بَعْدِ baʿdi after ب ع د
  21. وَصِيَّةٍ waṣiyyatin any will و ص ي
  22. يُوصِينَ yūṣīna they have made و ص ي
  23. بِهَآ bihā [for which]
  24. أَوْ aw or
  25. دَيْنٍ daynin any debt د ي ن
  26. وَلَهُنَّ walahunna And for them
  27. ٱلرُّبُعُ l-rubuʿu (is) the fourth ر ب ع
  28. مِمَّا mimmā of what
  29. تَرَكْتُمْ taraktum you left ت ر ك
  30. إِن in if
  31. لَّمْ lam not
  32. يَكُن yakun is ك و ن
  33. لَّكُمْ lakum for you
  34. وَلَدٌ waladun a child و ل د
  35. فَإِن fa-in But if
  36. كَانَ kāna is ك و ن
  37. لَكُمْ lakum for you
  38. وَلَدٌ waladun a child و ل د
  39. فَلَهُنَّ falahunna then for them
  40. ٱلثُّمُنُ l-thumunu (is) the eighth ث م ن
  41. مِمَّا mimmā of what
  42. تَرَكْتُم taraktum you left ت ر ك
  43. مِّنۢ min from
  44. بَعْدِ baʿdi after ب ع د
  45. وَصِيَّةٍ waṣiyyatin any will و ص ي
  46. تُوصُونَ tūṣūna you have made و ص ي
  47. بِهَآ bihā [for which]
  48. أَوْ aw or
  49. دَيْنٍ daynin any debt د ي ن
  50. وَإِن wa-in And if
  51. كَانَ kāna [is] ك و ن
  52. رَجُلٌ rajulun a man ر ج ل
  53. يُورَثُ yūrathu (whose wealth) is to be inherited و ر ث
  54. كَلَٰلَةً kalālatan (has) no parent or child ك ل ل
  55. أَوِ awi or
  56. ٱمْرَأَةٌ im'ra-atun a women م ر أ
  57. وَلَهُۥٓ walahu and for him
  58. أَخٌ akhun (is) a brother أ خ و
  59. أَوْ aw or
  60. أُخْتٌ ukh'tun a sister أ خ و
  61. فَلِكُلِّ falikulli then for each ك ل ل
  62. وَٰحِدٍ wāḥidin one و ح د
  63. مِّنْهُمَا min'humā of (the) two
  64. ٱلسُّدُسُ l-sudusu (is) the sixth س د س
  65. فَإِن fa-in But if
  66. كَانُوٓا۟ kānū they are ك و ن
  67. أَكْثَرَ akthara more ك ث ر
  68. مِن min than
  69. ذَٰلِكَ dhālika that
  70. فَهُمْ fahum then they
  71. شُرَكَآءُ shurakāu (are) partners ش ر ك
  72. فِى fī in
  73. ٱلثُّلُثِ l-thuluthi the third ث ل ث
  74. مِنۢ min from
  75. بَعْدِ baʿdi after ب ع د
  76. وَصِيَّةٍ waṣiyyatin any will و ص ي
  77. يُوصَىٰ yūṣā was made و ص ي
  78. بِهَآ bihā [for which]
  79. أَوْ aw or
  80. دَيْنٍ daynin any debt د ي ن
  81. غَيْرَ ghayra without غ ي ر
  82. مُضَآرٍّ muḍārrin (being) harmful ض ر ر
  83. وَصِيَّةً waṣiyyatan An ordinance و ص ي
  84. مِّنَ mina from
  85. ٱللَّهِ l-lahi Allah
  86. وَٱللَّهُ wal-lahu And Allah
  87. عَلِيمٌ ʿalīmun (is) All-Knowing ع ل م
  88. حَلِيمٌ ḥalīmun All-Forbearing ح ل م

Hadiths that cite this verse

Weak Sunan Abu Dawud 2867

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: A man or a woman acts in obedience to Allah for sixty years, then when they are about to die they cause injury by their will, so they must go to Hell. Then AbuHurayrah recited: "After a legacy which you bequeath or a debt, causing no injury...that will be the mighty success…

إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَعْمَلُ وَالْمَرْأَةَ بِطَاعَةِ اللَّهِ سِتِّينَ سَنَةً ثُمَّ يَحْضُرُهُمَا الْمَوْتُ فَيُضَارَّانِ فِي الْوَصِيَّةِ فَتَجِبُ لَهُمَا النَّارُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَقَرَأَ عَلَىَّ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ مِنْ هَا…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah + 2 other versions

Authentic Muttafaq ‘alayh (Bukhari and Muslim) Sunan Ibn Majah 2728

“I fell sick and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came to visit me, he and Abu Bakr with him, and they came walking. I had lost consciousness, so the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed ablution and poured some of the water of his ablution over me. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what should I do? How should…

مَرِضْتُ فَأَتَانِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعُودُنِي هُوَ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ مَعَهُ وَهُمَا مَاشِيَانِ وَقَدْ أُغْمِيَ عَلَىَّ فَتَوَضَّأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَصَبَّ عَلَىَّ مِنْ وَضُوئِهِ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 9 other versions

Authentic Sahih al-Bukhari 4578

(In the Pre-Islamic Period ) the children used to inherit all the property but the parents used to inherit only through a will. So Allah cancelled that which He liked to cancel and put decreed that the share of a son was to be twice the share of a daughter, and for the parents one-sixth for each…

فَنَسَخَ اللَّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا أَحَبَّ، فَجَعَلَ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلَ حَظِّ الأُنْثَيَيْنِ، وَجَعَلَ لِلأَبَوَيْنِ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا السُّدُسَ وَالثُّلُثَ، وَجَعَلَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ الثُّمُنَ وَالرُّبُعَ…

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 3 other versions

Other hadiths (1)

Verses related to verse 12

Verses with similar wording

They share a sequence of words with this verse: useful for telling them apart when memorising.

  • Al-Mursalat 77:39

    فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ كَيْدٌ فَكِيدُونِ

    So if you have a plan, then plan against Me.

  • An-Nisa 4:11

    يُوصِيكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِىٓ أَوْلَٰدِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ ٱلْأُنثَيَيْنِ فَإِن كُنَّ نِسَآءً فَوْقَ ٱثْنَتَيْنِ فَلَهُنَّ ثُلُثَا مَا تَرَكَ وَإِن كَانَتْ وَٰحِدَةً فَلَهَا ٱلنِّصْفُ وَلِأَبَوَيْهِ لِكُلِّ وَٰحِدٍ مِّنْهُمَا ٱلسُّدُسُ مِمَّا تَرَكَ إِن كَانَ لَهُۥ وَلَدٌ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ وَلَدٌ وَوَرِثَهُۥٓ أَبَوَاهُ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلثُّلُثُ فَإِن كَانَ لَهُۥٓ إِخْوَةٌ فَلِأُمِّهِ ٱلسُّدُسُ مِنۢ بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِى بِهَآ أَوْ دَيْنٍ ءَابَآؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ أَيُّهُمْ أَقْرَبُ لَكُمْ نَفْعًا فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا

    Allāh instructs you concerning your children [i.e., their portions of inheritance]: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females. But if there are [only] 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 [alone] inherit from him, then for his mother is one third. And if he had brothers [and/or sisters], for his mother is a sixth, after any bequest he [may have] made or debt. Your parents or your children - you know not which of them are nearest to you in benefit. [These shares are] an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.

  • At-Tawbah 9:60

    إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

    Zakāh expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islām] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allāh and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allāh. And Allāh is Knowing and Wise.

All similar verses of Surah An-Nisa

The names of Allah in this verse

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