Civil law vs Sharia: why you can't just pick one

“Beta ji, this isn’t a buffet where you take fish from civil law and naan from Sharia. You can’t pick whichever law feels tasty today.”

Two systems

• Civil law (UK):says you can leave your estate to anyone, even your cat, if you’re eccentric enough.
• Sharia: says inheritance is fixed, with shares for spouse, parents, children and siblings, depending on your family situation.

The clash

• Civil Will only: valid in the UK, invalid in Islam.
• Sharia-only: valid in Islam, not enforceable in UK courts.
• The solution: one Will, written properly, that works in both systems.

An example

Uncle ji knows a man who left everything to his wife in a civil Will. UK law carried it out. But in Islam? He deprived his children and parents. He thought he was being romantic; in reality, it was zulm (injustice).

Uncle’s final word

Two systems, one solution: draft your Will with someone who knows both. Don’t try to bend Allah’s rules to fit your feelings.