While the shares that inheritors receive upon the death of a family member will vary according to the family members that remain alive, it is useful to understand those who will always inherit should they remain alive and what their share is likely to be.
Unsurprisingly, Islamic inheritance dictates that the closest relations, in other words, parents, spouse and children, should they be alive, will always inherit.
Typically, parents will inherit one-sixth of the estate each, though this can change depending on other inheritors who are or are not alive.
A husband will inherit one-fourth should the deceased have children, or otherwise a half.
A wife will inherit one-eighth should the deceased have children, or otherwise a quarter.
Children will usually inherit the remainder, with sons getting double the share of daughters.
While this is most certainly a simplification, it does help to have these rough numbers in your mind so one can be aware where their hard-earned wealth will likely be going after their demise, and plan accordingly.
If you would like to calculate the exact shares, this calculator is very handy:
http://inheritance.ilmsummit.org/projects/inheritance/home.aspx
