For British Muslims, creating a Will that complies with both Sharia law and English law is essential. An Islamic Will ensures your estate is distributed according to Islamic principles while remaining legally valid in England and Wales.
Under Sharia law, there are fixed shares of inheritance (faraid) that must be distributed among certain family members. These differ from English intestacy rules, which is why having a Sharia-compliant Will is so important.
In 2026, the UK's Muslim population is approximately 4.2 million. Despite Islamic teaching strongly encouraging Wills (wasiyyah), many British Muslims still don't have one, leaving their estate to be distributed under English intestacy rules — which don't follow Islamic principles.
A Sharia-compliant Will typically includes the fixed shares for prescribed heirs, provision for the one-third bequest (wasiyyah), funeral wishes according to Islamic tradition, and appointment of trustees who understand both legal systems.
It's important to note that English law allows testamentary freedom — you can distribute your estate as you wish. This means you can choose to follow Sharia inheritance principles in your Will, and it will be legally binding.
We work closely with Islamic scholars to ensure our Wills meet both Sharia requirements and English legal standards. Our team understands the cultural and religious sensitivities involved.
At Castle Family Legal, we offer specialist Islamic Will writing services. Contact us to arrange a consultation in a comfortable, understanding environment.
