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DISTRIBUTING MY MOHTERS BUSINESS SHARES AND PROPERTIES

Last updated: 24th January 2026
Question ID: #12746
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A husband purchased several lands and partnership shares of a firm using his own earnings. He legally registered all these assets in his wife's name during her lifetime. His intention for this registration was to ensure her financial security in case he passed away before her. However, the wife passed away while the husband is still alive. The husband now claims that since his specific intention (providing security after his death) can no longer be fulfilled, the gift is void, and he should be the sole owner of all those properties. The Heirs: The deceased woman is survived by: Her husband Two sons Two daughters Our Queries: Under Shariah (Hanafi Fiqh), once a husband gifts a property to his wife and completes the legal transfer, does it become her absolute property (Milk)? Is the husband's claim valid that the property should revert to him entirely because his "intention" was not met? Since the wife has passed away, how should these properties (now part of her estate) be distributed among the heirs mentioned above? Kindly provide a detailed ruling as this is an urgent matter causing disputes within the family.



بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامداومصليا


If the husband after purchasing the property was to transfer ownership to his wife by gifting it then the wife will be the owner and will be included in the inheritance.

In the case scenario, whatever you’re wife left behind will be included in the inheritance after the fulfilment of debt and bequest. So her inheritance will be divided amongst her children in the manner described in the Quran.

Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females [An-Nisa’ 4:11].

Her husband will receive 1/4 share as mentioned in the Quran.

But if they have children, then ˹your share is˺ one-fourth of the estate—after the fulfilment of bequests and debts. [An-Nisa’ 4:12]

وشرائط صحته في الموهوب أن يكون مقبوضا
(الدرالمختارمع ردالمحتار كتاب الهبة ٥/٦٨٨)

And Allah knows best

22 Shaban 1447/ 10 February 2026

Mufti
Answer last updated on:
10th February 2026
Answered by:
Ulamaa ID 04
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