The Legally Permissible Manner of a Parent Distributing Their Wealth Among Their Children: A Comparative Jurisprudential Study

Abstract

If a parent wishes to distribute their wealth among their children during their lifetime, this research examines the Islamic legal ruling on such an act. It explores the common reasons that may prompt a parent to make this distribution, the scholarly disagreement regarding the lawful manner in which such division should occur, the reasons behind this disagreement, and the evidences cited by each group—whether textual and rational. The study also discusses the arguments presented for and against each position and attempts to determine the most sound (rajih) opinion on the matter, supported by its evidence. The goal is to resolve potential disputes among heirs, as commonly observed in real-life situations. This is presented as a comparative jurisprudential study across the four major Sunni schools of thought.