Socio-Economic and Religio-Legal Importance of Estate Distribution in Islamic Law

The institution of inheritance is as old as the world itself It occupies a vintage position in any given society whether such society is primitive, developed or developing. Therefore, because of the status of this institution, no society or legal system can afford to close its eyes to the importance of estate distribution generally and in Islamic Law in particular because it constitutes a major method of acquisition of wealth and property. This paper therefore examines the importance of estate distribution in Islamic Law upon the demise of a Muslim from economic, social, religious and legal perspectives