Hajb: Islamic Inheritance Blocking Rules Explained

What Is Hajb?

Hajb (حَجْب) means "screen" or "veil" in Arabic. In Islamic inheritance law, Hajb refers to the exclusion or reduction of an heir's share due to the presence of a closer or stronger heir. It is one of the most important mechanisms in Faraid because it determines not just how much heirs receive, but whether they inherit at all.

The underlying principle of Hajb is one of the most rational in Islamic inheritance law: the closer relative screens the more distant relative in the same line. A son blocks a grandson. A father blocks a paternal grandfather. A full brother blocks a paternal half-brother. Proximity to the deceased determines who inherits.

The Two Types of Hajb

1. Hajb Hirman (Total Exclusion)

Hajb Hirman (حجب حرمان) — "exclusion from inheritance" — means the blocked heir receives absolutely nothing. Their presence in the family tree is irrelevant for this estate because a closer heir screens them out entirely.

2. Hajb Nuqsan (Reduction of Share)

Hajb Nuqsan (حجب نقصان) — "reduction in share" — means the heir still inherits, but at a reduced share compared to what they would receive in the absence of the blocking event. The heir is not excluded; they are simply diminished.

Full Hajb Hirman (Total Exclusion) Rules

Full Hajb Nuqsan (Reduction) Rules

Heirs Who Are Never Blocked

Four heirs can never be completely excluded (Hajb Hirman) from an estate — they always receive some share regardless of who else is present:

1. Father — always inherits (at minimum 1/6 with children present)
2. Mother — always inherits (at minimum 1/6)
3. Husband — always inherits (at minimum 1/4)
4. Wife/Wives — always inherit (at minimum 1/8 shared)

The Key Madhab Difference: Grandfather and Siblings

The most consequential madhab disagreement in all of Hajb concerns whether the paternal grandfather applies Hajb Hirman to siblings or only Hajb Nuqsan:

• Hanafi: The paternal grandfather completely blocks all siblings (full, paternal, and uterine) — Hajb Hirman. Siblings receive nothing when a grandfather is present.
• Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali: The grandfather does not block siblings — instead, muqasama (sharing) applies. The grandfather inherits alongside full siblings, with a guaranteed minimum of 1/3.

This single disagreement produces some of the most famous named puzzles in Faraid. See the special cases of Islamic inheritance — including the Akdariyyah and the donkey case — for fully worked examples of how the blocking rules play out differently in each school.

Worked Example: Multiple Blocking Rules in One Estate

Estate: R 840,000. Deceased: male. Heirs: wife, mother, son, daughter, full brother, paternal grandfather.

{cta_box('See All Blocking Rules Applied to Your Estate', 'Our calculator applies every Hajb Hirman and Hajb Nuqsan rule automatically — and shows you a full trace explaining every blocking decision.', 'Calculate Now')}

Complete Hajb Reference: Who Blocks Whom

The following table provides a comprehensive reference for the most common full blocking (Hajb Hirman) relationships in Faraid. An heir in the left column is completely blocked by the presence of any heir in the right column.

Partial Reduction (Hajb Nuqsan): Share Changes at a Glance

The Six Heirs Who Are Never Completely Blocked

Six heirs can never be completely excluded from inheritance under any circumstances. They may have their shares reduced (Hajb Nuqsan) but they always receive something:

1. The husband
2. The wife (or wives collectively)
3. The father
4. The mother
5. The son
6. The daughter

These six — the nuclear family — form the core of Faraid and cannot be excluded by any other heir. Their shares may be reduced when certain conditions apply, but they always receive their minimum entitlement.

Frequently Asked Questions