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Weekly Extract from Tafseer Imdad-ul-Karam |
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Tafseer Imdad-ul-Karam, volume 1, page 243, note 10:
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Before Islam, no other civilisation gave women a right in inheritance. Historically in Europe, the practice of primogeniture was implemented, namely that the eldest son (in the absence of any will) became the heir to any wealth left behind, to the exclusion of all others. The deceased’s wife, daughters and younger sons were not entitled to any share. This practice remained law until 1925 in England, when the wife became the sole heir to the deceased’s property, and any share to be distributed to the children was left in the hands of the mother. If in this situation the widow remarries, then it is likely that the second husband will give preference to his own children rather than his step-children. Hence, this means that these children face a bleak future and receive no share in any inheritance.
Islam was the first religion or civilisation which granted women and children a right to inheritance. According to their required needs, they were given a share in the deceased’s property by law, as described in verse number eleven of this chapter. Also, Islam ended the unfair practice of allowing the eldest son alone to receive inheritance, and instead distributed the wealth equally between all the brothers and sisters. |
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Muslims in Today's World
An insight into the problems faced by Muslims in the 21st century and a search for solutions [Preston, UK - August 2005]
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The Eminent Role of Women in Islam
A lecture delivered by Shaykh Pirzada at the Gateway to Divine Mercy Conference
[Manchester, UK - September 2008] |
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