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 Deepak Singh Grover

Advocate Deepak Singh Grover

Anticipatory Bail, Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Immigration, Insurance, Supreme Court, Succession Certificate, R.T.I, Motor Accident, Labour & Service, Muslim Law, Wills Trusts, Medical Negligence, Landlord & Tenant, Arbitration, Civil, Customs & Central Excise, Recovery, Media and Entertainment, Startup, Trademark & Copyright

Get Advice
Advocate Hemant Tandi

Advocate Hemant Tandi

Anticipatory Bail, Cheque Bounce, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Divorce, Family, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Property, Supreme Court, Revenue, Cyber Crime, High Court, Banking & Finance, Arbitration

Get Advice
Advocate Santosh A Varma

Advocate Santosh A Varma

Cheque Bounce, Criminal, Divorce, Family, Succession Certificate, Cyber Crime, Domestic Violence, Documentation, Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy & Insolvency, Breach of Contract, Consumer Court, Civil, Court Marriage, Insurance, Landlord & Tenant, Muslim Law, Motor Accident, Medical Negligence, Property, Recovery, Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration

Get Advice
Advocate Sanjay Kustwar

Advocate Sanjay Kustwar

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

Get Advice
Advocate Mannan Ahmad Sheikh

Advocate Mannan Ahmad Sheikh

Anticipatory Bail, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Medical Negligence, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Property

Get Advice
Advocate Suman Kumar

Advocate Suman Kumar

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

Get Advice
Advocate Sandip Eknath Virle

Advocate Sandip Eknath Virle

Anticipatory Bail, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Muslim Law, RERA, Succession Certificate, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Anil Kumar

Advocate Anil Kumar

Anticipatory Bail, Breach of Contract, Cheque Bounce, Child Custody, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Cyber Crime, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Insurance, Landlord & Tenant, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, Succession Certificate, Supreme Court, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Narendra Gehlot

Advocate Narendra Gehlot

Anticipatory Bail, Arbitration, Banking & Finance, Cheque Bounce, Civil, Consumer Court, Court Marriage, Criminal, Divorce, Documentation, Domestic Violence, Family, High Court, Insurance, Labour & Service, Landlord & Tenant, Motor Accident, Muslim Law, Property, R.T.I, Recovery, Wills Trusts, Revenue

Get Advice
Advocate Lalit Gupta

Advocate Lalit Gupta

Civil, Criminal, Divorce, Cheque Bounce, Corporate, Muslim Law, Revenue, Motor Accident

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.