Under Islamic law, why does a woman get half the inheritance of a man?

The claim that Islam shortchanges women in inheritance is based on an incomplete reading of just one verse (Qur'an 4:11), which states that a son's share is equivalent to that of two daughters. However, Islamic inheritance law is an intricate system with over a dozen scenarios, and this particular rule applies to specific cases involving children inheriting from parents.

To properly understand the system, consider the complete financial framework Islam establishes:

1. Before marriage, a woman is financially supported by her father or male relatives. Her own earnings and assets are entirely her own — she has no obligation to spend on anyone.

1. At the time of marriage, the husband must give the wife mahr (a mandatory marriage gift), which becomes her exclusive property. This can be substantial — gold, property, or significant sums of money.

1. After marriage, the husband is solely responsible for all household expenses — housing, food, clothing, medical care, and education of children. The wife has zero financial obligation, even if she is independently wealthy.

1. A man who inherits is expected to use that inheritance to support his wife, children, and potentially his parents and unmarried sisters. A woman who inherits has no such obligation — her entire inheritance is hers alone.

When the full picture is considered: the son who inherits double must spend it on his family, while the daughter who inherits half keeps it entirely for herself. The net disposable wealth often favors women.

Furthermore, the Qur'anic inheritance system was revolutionary for its time. In pre-Islamic Arabia, women inherited nothing at all — they themselves were considered property to be inherited. Islam established women's right to own property, earn money, and inherit wealth fourteen centuries ago, long before Western legal systems granted the same rights.

It should also be noted that in several inheritance scenarios under Islamic law, women actually inherit equal to or more than men — for example, when a mother and father both inherit from a deceased child.