Al-Fara'i

Al-Fara'i (Arabic: الفرائض), also transliterated as al-Fara'id, refers to the branch of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) concerned with the laws of inheritance and estate distribution according to Islamic principles. It deals with the precise shares of inheritance prescribed in the Quran and Sunnah for various relatives of the deceased.

The study of Al-Fara'i is considered a significant aspect of Islamic learning as it directly relates to fulfilling the rights of those entitled to inherit and ensuring just distribution of wealth after death. Neglecting these laws is considered a serious matter in Islamic jurisprudence.

Key aspects covered within Al-Fara'i include:

• Identification of Heirs: Determining which relatives are eligible to inherit.
• Categorization of Heirs: Grouping heirs into different classes based on their relationship to the deceased (e.g., asaba - agnatic relatives, dhawu al-fara'id - Quranic heirs).
• Calculation of Shares: Determining the exact portion of the estate each heir is entitled to, according to Quranic verses and prophetic traditions.
• Dealing with Complex Cases: Resolving intricate inheritance scenarios involving multiple heirs, debts, wills, and other complicating factors.
• Principles of Exclusion: Understanding which circumstances might disqualify an heir from inheriting (e.g., homicide, difference in religion in some interpretations).

The principles of Al-Fara'i are derived from the Quran, Sunnah (teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad), Ijma (consensus of scholars), and Qiyas (analogical reasoning). Different schools of Islamic jurisprudence (e.g., Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali) may have slight variations in their interpretations and application of these principles. Understanding Al-Fara'i requires a deep understanding of Arabic grammar, Quranic exegesis, Hadith, and the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.