The story of the late Zainab (not her real name), who passed away on 17 December 2021 at the age of 70.
The Facts
- Both her parents had died when Zainab was still a child.
- She married twice during her lifetime.
- First husband — Zakaria, who died in 2000, ending the marriage by death. They had two sons: Zaki and Zainal.
- Second husband — Abdullah, who survives her. That marriage produced no children.
The Faraid Distribution
On these facts, the surviving heirs and their faraid shares are:
| Heir | Relationship | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullah | Husband | 2/8 |
| Zaki | Son | 3/8 |
| Zainal | Son | 3/8 |
| Total | 8/8 |
Spot it? A first husband who died before the deceased is no longer an heir. The children of that first marriage still inherit in full. The second husband takes 1/4 (that is, 2/8) because the deceased left children.
I hope this helps.
Is your case different?
A slightly different set of heirs can change the whole distribution. Send me the facts of your case on WhatsApp and I will help you check.