OCCASION OF REVELATION (VERSE NO. 11)

      In relation to this verse and the next one, JABIR-IBN-ABDULLA ANSARI has narrated: ``I was sick in bed. Once the prophet paid a visit to me while I was unconscious for having fallen in a swoon. When the prophet entered my house, he renewed his ablution and sprayed the droplets of water over my face and I was revived. When so, I asked the Messenger of God, what is to happen with my wealth and properties if I am to die?''

      The prophet said nothing in answer to JABIR'S question and kept quiet; until the two verses revealed.

THE SHARES OF INHERITANCE

      In this verse, the law of inheritance, for the first ranks or line of the family such as the children, father or mother is stated, beginning with: ``Allah charges you concerning your children that a son shall inherit twice as much as a daughter.'' But if the children of the deceased are only daughters and two or more of them, they shall have two third of the heritage. And if he has left behind only one daughter: ``Then for her shall be half of the inheritance.''

      As for the father and mother who are also among the first grades of family, there might be one of three cases:

      1) The deceased has no children, and the father and mother are his only heirs; then his mother shall have one third and the rest will belong to the father.

      2) The deceased has no children, and his father and mother are the only heirs, but he has also some brothers. In this case his mother should get one sixth of the heritage. In other word; though the brothers have no share in heritance themselves, yet their very existence reduces the mother's share from one third to one sixth.

      3) The deceased has some children, and also parents. Then for each one of the father or mother is one sixth of the inheritance.

      The verse emphasizes that all the said divisions must be calculated after the payment of any bequest that has been bequeathed by the deceased, and his funeral expenses should also be reasonable.

      On the other hand the power of testamentary dispositions is restricted to one third of the property and not all of it. So the remaining two third must be completely divided among the heirs as it is laid down.

      Then comes the ending of the verse that: ``You do not know which one of your fathers or children are nearer to you in profit.'' Then dispute not about the legislation, that it is an ordinance from Allah.