Tawhid &General Principles of Inheritance (Mirath) SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Tawhid is the most important belief in Islam. The word “Tawhid” means believing that Allah is One. It means there is only one God, and no one else should be worshipped. This is the first thing a Muslim must believe.

When Muslims say the Shahada (the testimony of faith): “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” they are expressing Tawhid.

The Three Types of Tawhid

Muslims scholars often talk about three kinds of Tawhid:

1. Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship): This means believing that Allah alone created everything. He takes care of all things. He gives life and death. He makes the rain fall. He makes plants grow. Everything that happens is by His will.
2. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship): This means that only Allah should be worshipped. We should not pray to anyone else. We should not bow down to idols, saints, or any created thing. All acts of worship are for Allah alone.
3. Tawhid al-Asma wa al-Sifat (Oneness of Names and Attributes): This means believing in all the names and qualities of Allah mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. Allah has the most beautiful names like the Most Merciful, the Most Kind, the All-Knowing. No one is like Allah in His perfect qualities.

Why Tawhid Matters

Tawhid is the foundation of Islam. All other Islamic teachings are built on this belief. When a person truly believes in Tawhid:

– They find peace knowing there is only one God to turn to

– They understand that all power belongs to Allah

– They know that only Allah deserves worship

– They feel free from being a slave to other people or things

The opposite of Tawhid is “Shirk.” Shirk means giving partners to Allah or worshipping something besides Allah. In Islam, this is considered the biggest sin.

Tawhid in Daily Life

Muslims practice Tawhid in many ways:

– By praying only to Allah

– By asking help directly from Allah

– By being thankful to Allah for all blessings

– By following Allah’s rules in the Quran

– By remembering that Allah sees everything they do

Part 2: Understanding Mirath (Islamic Inheritance)

What is Mirath?

Mirath means the rules about how to divide money and property after someone dies. In Islam, Allah has given clear rules about who gets what when a person passes away. These rules are so important that they are mentioned directly in the Quran.

Why Islamic Inheritance Rules Matter

The Islamic system of inheritance has many benefits:

– It makes sure wealth is shared among many family members

– It helps prevent fights over money after someone dies

– It takes care of both men and women in the family

– It respects the rights of everyone in the family

– It helps prevent too much wealth going to just one person

Basic Principles of Islamic Inheritance

1. Pay debts first: Before dividing any money, all debts of the dead person must be paid.
2. Funeral costs: Money for a simple funeral comes next.
3. Follow the will (Wasiyyah): Up to one-third of what’s left can be given according to the person’s will. This can go to charity or to people who would not normally inherit.
4. Divide the rest according to Islamic law: The remaining money (at least two-thirds) must be divided according to the fixed shares in the Quran.

Who Gets What Share?

The Quran names specific people who must get inheritance. They are called “Quranic heirs.” These include:

Primary Heirs:

– Husband or wife

– Father and mother

– Sons and daughters

Secondary Heirs (who inherit if some primary heirs are not there):

– Grandsons and granddaughters

– Brothers and sisters

– Grandfathers and grandmothers

Some Basic Shares

Here are some basic shares mentioned in the Quran:

– Husband: Gets 1/2 if there are no children; 1/4 if there are children

– Wife: Gets 1/4 if there are no children; 1/8 if there are children

– Father: Gets 1/6 plus a share as a male relative

– Mother: Gets 1/6 if there are children; 1/3 if there are no children

– Daughter: Gets 1/2 if she is the only child; if there are two or more daughters, they share 2/3

– Son: Gets twice the share of a daughter

Why Do Males Sometimes Get More?

In some cases, men get more than women in Islamic inheritance. For example, sons get twice what daughters get. This is not because men are worth more. It’s because men in Islamic families have more financial duties:

– Men must provide for their wives and children

– Men must pay the mahr (dowry) when they marry

– Men must support their parents if needed

– Women keep all their money for themselves

Women get their own share but don’t have to spend it on anyone. This balances things out in the whole system.

Special Cases in Inheritance

There are many special rules for unusual family situations:

– If someone dies leaving no children or parents, brothers and sisters inherit

– If someone dies leaving only daughters, the daughters get fixed shares and other relatives get the rest

– If someone converts to Islam, they can’t inherit from non-Muslim relatives

– A killer cannot inherit from the person they killed

How Inheritance Works in Practice

When someone dies, these steps are followed:

1. List everything the person owned
2. Subtract any debts and funeral costs
3. Give up to 1/3 according to their will
4. Figure out who the heirs are
5. Calculate each person’s share according to Quran and Sunnah
6. Distribute the property

The Wisdom of Islamic Inheritance

The Islamic system of inheritance shows great wisdom:

– It acknowledges that property ultimately belongs to Allah

– It ensures that wealth is distributed widely, not hoarded

– It recognizes family ties and responsibilities

– It gives women independent economic rights

– It balances fixed rules with some flexibility through the will

Conclusion

Both Tawhid and the rules of inheritance (Mirath) show how Islam guides all parts of life. Tawhid tells us who to worship and how to think about Allah. The inheritance rules tell us how to handle money matters fairly. Together, they show that Islam cares about both our spiritual life and our practical needs.

Understanding these teachings helps Muslims live according to Allah’s guidance. The rules of inheritance are part of following Allah’s commands, which connects back to Tawhid – obeying the One God in all matters of life.