Principles of Inheritance in the Muslim Legal System

Relevance. Discusses the principles of inheritance in the Muslim legal system. In modern conditions, due to migration, the religious foundations of the family structure associated with large families, the percentage of the Muslim population is growing almost all over the world. In such circumstances, the topic of inheritance is of particular scientific and practical interest. The institute of inheritance in Muslim countries is distinguished by certain features and specifics.

The purpose is to examine the characteristic features of inheritance according to Sharia and highlight the basic principles of inheritance in the Muslim legal system.

Objectives: to determine the order of inheritance by will and by law, taking into account the rules of Sharia, to determine the rights and obligations of heirs, the rules for the distribution of mandatory shares, freedom of probate, the division of property between heirs.

Methodology. The research methods are a systematic review of research on this topic, interpretation of legal norms, comparative analysis, as well as methods of induction and deduction.

Results. The following features of inheritance in Muslim law are highlighted: according to Sharia, there is a category of heirs who claim a mandatory share in the inheritance, regardless of the will. When making a will, the testator has the right to dispose of only one third of the inherited property, the rest of the property is reserved for mandatory heirs. Hereditary property is subject to division only after paying off all debts, giving alms and other donations provided for by religious rituals. When inheriting property, it is not divided in equal shares, but taking into account the proximity of kinship and gender, men receive twice as much property as women, and the next of kin receive a double share of inheritance, unlike relatives with a distant degree of kinship.

Conclusion. The following principles of inheritance in the Muslim legal system are highlighted: the principle of balanced justice; the principle of compulsory share in inheritance; the principle of heir replacement; restriction of freedom of probate; consideration of blood and derivative ties in inheritance by law; consideration of kinship and gender in the division of inheritance; prohibition of deprivation of compulsory share in inheritance.

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