SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND RELIGIO-LEGAL IMPORTANCE OF ESTATE DISTRIBUTION IN ISLAMIC LAW

Abstract

This paper examined Socio-Economic and Religio-Legal Importance of Estate Distribution in Islamic Law.  In order to achieve the aim and objectives of this research, the meaning of Islamic inheritance and significance of Islamic rules of inheritance were briefly discussed. The paper adopted a doctrinal method of research by conducting in-depth analysis of the primary and secondary sources of legal research. It specifically examined and analysed Chapter 4 verses 7, 11, 12 and 176 of the Glorious Quran and some prophetic traditions with a view to pointing out economic, social, religious and legal importance of distribution of estate in Islamic Law. The paper found that in pre-Islamic Arabia, daughters, mothers, widows, sisters and minors were excluded from succession, but, with advent of Islam, the moral and social position of women were raised thereby giving them heritable rights. The writer’s major finding is that distribution of estate serves as a method of re-distribution of wealth among the heirs and it breaks up the concentration of wealth from the hands of few individuals and spreads it out in the society. The paper recommended that this area of knowledge should be learnt, taught and encouraged among Muslim community through the regular holding of conferences, seminars, workshops and public campaigns to bring about awareness of its importance among the Muslims.