Islamic Will (Wasiyya): Faraid, UAE Law & How to Create One
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In the UAE, faraid inheritance shares apply to every Muslim's estate by default under the Personal Status Law. A wasiyya does not change those shares; it handles what faraid leaves open: the one-third you may direct to charity or non-heirs, guardianship wishes for minor children, and the documentation that prevents family disputes. This guide covers the Quranic shares, what a valid will requires in the UAE, and how succession works in practice.
Quick Answer
In the UAE, faraid (Quranic inheritance shares) applies to a Muslim's estate automatically under the Personal Status Law. A wasiyya (Islamic will) can direct up to one-third of the net estate to charity or non-heirs, record guardianship wishes, and document assets, but it cannot change heirs' fixed shares. Muslims can register a wasiyya through the courts' notary services; the DIFC and ADJD will registries serve non-Muslims only.
Key Takeaways
- Faraid applies by default to Muslims' estates in the UAE; heirs' fixed shares are applied by the courts
- The wasiyya covers at most one-third of the net estate, for charity or non-heirs only
- Bequests to existing heirs or beyond one-third need the other heirs' consent after death
- Muslims can register a wasiyya through the courts' notary services
- The DIFC Wills Service and ADJD civil registry are for non-Muslims only
- Use a lawyer for cross-border assets, business shares, blended families, or heirs abroad
Faraid Inheritance Shares
These are the primary Quranic shares (from Surah An-Nisa 4:11-12). Actual distribution depends on which heirs survive the deceased. When multiple categories are present, the calculation becomes complex, and courts and lawyers work from the full faraid rules rather than summaries.
| Heir | Condition | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Husband | Wife has no children | 1/2 |
| Husband | Wife has children | 1/4 |
| Wife | Husband has no children | 1/4 |
| Wife | Husband has children | 1/8 |
| Son | With other heirs | Residuary (asaba) |
| Daughter | No son, one daughter | 1/2 |
| Daughter | No son, two+ daughters | 2/3 (shared) |
| Father | Deceased has children | 1/6 |
| Mother | Deceased has children | 1/6 |
| Mother | No children, no 2+ siblings | 1/3 |
How to Create an Islamic Will
Inventory your assets
List property (with title deeds), bank accounts, shares and funds, business interests, vehicles, gold, end-of-service entitlements, and debts owed to and by you. Include assets held outside the UAE. Most inheritance disputes are disputes about what existed.
Identify your legal heirs
Faraid-eligible heirs are your spouse, children, parents, and in some cases siblings. Their fixed shares apply by default to Muslims' estates under the UAE Personal Status Law; your will does not change them.
Decide your one-third wasiyya
You may direct up to one-third of your net estate to charity or to people who are not already heirs. Bequests beyond one-third, or to existing heirs, need the other heirs' consent after death.
Record guardianship and administration wishes
State who should care for minor children and who should administer your affairs. The courts decide finally, but written wishes carry weight, and for expatriate families this is often the most urgent part of the plan.
Execute and register the will properly
Have the document properly drafted and notarized; Muslims can register a wasiyya through the courts' notary services. Notarization makes the document far harder to challenge.
Review with a lawyer and keep it findable
Have a lawyer experienced in UAE succession confirm the one-third limit and formalities are correctly handled, then tell your family where the will and asset documents are kept. Review after marriages, births, deaths, and major purchases.
Learn More About Inheritance in the UAE
Our estate planning hub covers faraid in depth, the will registries, hiba (lifetime gifts), and when to engage a lawyer.
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-08-05
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