Law4u - Made in India

Can a child born out of wedlock inherit property under Muslim law?

13-Mar-2025
Muslim Law

Answer By law4u team

Under Muslim law in India, a child born out of wedlock (illegitimate child) does not have inheritance rights in the father's property but can inherit from the mother. Inheritance Rules for an Illegitimate Child No Right in Father's Property Under Sunni and Shia law, an illegitimate child is considered to have no legal relationship with the father. The child cannot inherit the father's property. Right to Mother's Property The illegitimate child can inherit from the mother and her relatives. The share is the same as a legitimate child’s share in the mother’s estate. Recognition by Father (Acknowledge Paternity) If the father acknowledges the child as his own, some Islamic scholars suggest that the child may be considered legitimate. However, in general practice under Indian Muslim law, mere acknowledgment does not grant inheritance rights. Will (Wasiyat) or Gift (Hiba) A father can give property to an illegitimate child through a will (wasiyat) or gift (hiba). However, under Islamic law, a will can only be made for up to one-third of the total estate unless other heirs consent. Conclusion An illegitimate child cannot inherit from the father but has full inheritance rights in the mother’s property. The father can give property through a will or gift.

Muslim Law Verified Advocates

Get expert legal advice instantly.

Advocate Neel K. Shah

Advocate Neel K. Shah

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Immigration, Insurance, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, Succession Certificate, Wills Trusts, Breach of Contract, Corporate

Get Advice
Advocate Sanjeeda Shaikh

Advocate Sanjeeda Shaikh

Cheque Bounce, Criminal, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, Muslim Law, Recovery, Succession Certificate

Get Advice
Advocate Prabhakar Tiwari

Advocate Prabhakar Tiwari

Anticipatory Bail, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Property, Muslim Law, Recovery, Succession Certificate, Revenue, R.T.I, Motor Accident, Cyber Crime, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Trademark & Copyright

Get Advice
Advocate S Pugazhenthi

Advocate S Pugazhenthi

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Civil, Child Custody, Cheque Bounce, Divorce, Family, Insurance, Domestic Violence, Criminal, Landlord & Tenant, Labour & Service, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, RERA, Muslim Law, Motor Accident, Succession Certificate, Revenue, Consumer Court, Breach of Contract, Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Insolvency

Get Advice
Advocate Janardhan Akula

Advocate Janardhan Akula

Anticipatory Bail,Civil,Consumer Court,Criminal,Documentation,Medical Negligence,Motor Accident,Muslim Law,Succession Certificate,Cheque Bounce,Child Custody,Divorce,High Court,Domestic Violence,Family,Property,R.T.I,

Get Advice
Advocate Anshuman Pandey

Advocate Anshuman Pandey

Anticipatory Bail, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Civil, Court Marriage, Criminal, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, Landlord & Tenant, Property, R.T.I, RERA, Revenue, Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Cyber Crime, High Court, Media and Entertainment, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Succession Certificate

Get Advice
Advocate D Vijay

Advocate D Vijay

Anticipatory Bail, Armed Forces Tribunal, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Banking & Finance, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Corporate, Customs & Central Excise, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, GST, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Insurance, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Media and Entertainment, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Patent, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Tax, Trademark & Copyright, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Vishwajit Yeshwant Pawar

Advocate Vishwajit Yeshwant Pawar

Consumer Court, Civil, Muslim Law, Family, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Criminal, Revenue, Cheque Bounce, Anticipatory Bail, Documentation, Labour & Service, Motor Accident, Landlord & Tenant, Wills Trusts

Get Advice
Advocate Navin Vaishnav Ajmer

Advocate Navin Vaishnav Ajmer

Criminal, Court Marriage, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Cheque Bounce, Banking & Finance, Arbitration, Anticipatory Bail, Family, High Court, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Landlord & Tenant, Customs & Central Excise, Consumer Court, Child Custody

Get Advice
Advocate Firoj Nayyum Shaikh

Advocate Firoj Nayyum Shaikh

Anticipatory Bail,Cheque Bounce,Civil,Criminal,Divorce,Domestic Violence,Family,Medical Negligence,Motor Accident,Muslim Law,Property,Recovery,Succession Certificate,

Get Advice

Muslim Law Related Questions

Discover clear and detailed answers to common questions about Breach of Contract. Learn about procedures and more in straightforward language.