سوال

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah, I am seeking expert guidance on an inheritance matter involving our late father's funds held in his HBL bank account. We are three siblings, two brothers and one sister and wish to resolve the distribution in full accordance with Islamic principles, ideally under the guidance of a Mufti or qualified scholar. Background: • Our father passed away on 11 January 2025. • During his lifetime, he gifted certain amounts from his HBL account to some children, including one son and the daughter. • He declared the remaining amount for his younger son, who lives abroad. However, despite several invitations, this son has not visited or taken possession of the funds for the past six to seven years. Point of Concern: Does the remaining amount in the HBL account, after father's passing, belong solely to the younger son as per the father's verbal declaration? Or should it be distributed among all heirs according to Islamic inheritance rules? We would deeply appreciate a clear response, ideally supported by references from the Qur’an, Hadith, or classical Fiqh, to help us resolve this matter with clarity and full compliance with Islamic teachings. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

اَلجَوَابْ بِاسْمِ مُلْہِمِ الصَّوَابْ

Despite the father’s repeated requests, since the younger brother did not take possession (Qabza) of the money, this Hibah (gift) remained incomplete and invalid according to the Sharia. Consequently, the status of this money is now that of Tarkah (Inheritable Estate); it is not the exclusive property of any single son but is the joint right of all legal heirs. However, if the other heirs voluntarily wish to honour the father’s wish, they may choose to cede this amount to the younger brother.

Otherwise, this amount shall be combined with the rest of the estate and distributed according to the Sharia principles of inheritance: the sister shall receive one share (20%) and each brother shall receive two shares (40%) of the total estate.

النساء:11

 يوصيكم الله في أولادكم للذكر مثل حظ الأنثيين، فان كنا نسآء فوق اثنتين فلهن ثلثاما ترك.

قدوری(484)

الهبة تصح بالإجابة والقبول وتتم بالقبض.

رد المحتار (493/8)

(والتمكن من القبض كالقبض، فلو وهب لرجل ثياباً في صندوق مقفل ودفع إليه الصندوق لم يكن قبضاً) لعدم تمكنه من القبض (وإن مفتوحاً كان قبضاً لتمكنه منه فإنه كالتخلية في البيع. اختيار. وفي الدرر والمختار صحته بالتخلية في صحيح الهبة لا فاسدها وفي النتف : ثلاثة عشر عقداً لا تصح بلا قبض ( ولو) نهاه عن القبض (لم يصح) قبضه (مطلقاً) ولو في المجلس لأن الصريح أقوى من الدلالة ( وتتم) الهبة (بالقبض)  الكامل۔ 

قوله : (وفي النتف ثلاثة عشر)مثل أحدها الهبة والثاني الصدقة والثالث الرهن والرابع الوقف…

قوله : (بالقبض) فيشترط القبض قبل الموت ولو كانت في مرض الموت للأجنبي كما سبق في كتاب الوقف كذا في الهامش.