Question Summary:
Are the heirs of a land still entitled to a share of it, if one of the heirs bought the land or invested in the land during the lifetime of the deceased?

Question Detail:

Salaam. I hope you are well.  

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Sister in Islam.

Your concern regarding the distribution, ownership and occupation of the house you reside in is valid. The proposed plan is incorrect and unIslamic.

You also state you cannot discuss your concerns with your husband as he threatens with Talaaq.

You may consider changing your approach on the issue. Instead of addressing the injustice to your son, focus on your husband preparing his will according to Shariah. Advise him that if he prepares his will according to Shariah,  it will be beneficial for him and he will attain the great rewards stated in the following Hadeeth :

قال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم -: "من مات على وصية، مات على سبيل وسنة، ومات على تقى وشهادة، ومات مغفورا له" سنن ابن ماجه ت الأرنؤوط (4/ 9( 

Translation: Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wassallam)  said : “Whoever dies leaving a will, he dies on the right path and Sunnah, and he dies with piety and witness, and he dies forgiven.”

If  his dealings are incorrect and his will is not according to Shariah, there are grave consequences for him in the hereafter. You may share the following Hadeeth with him:

عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "إن الرجل ليعمل والمرأة بطاعة الله ستين سنة ثم يحضرهما الموت فيضاران في الوصية فتجب لهما النار""

المسند الموضوعي الجامع للكتب العشرة (16/429

Translation: Nabi (Sallalahu Alayhi Wassallam)  said :"  A man or a woman acts in obedience to Allah for sixty years, then when they are about to die they cause injury by their will, so they must go to Hell".

Advise him to consult with the Ulema who will advise him on how he should deal  with the issue. Your focus should be safeguarding his interests in Deen rather than safeguarding your interests and your sons interests. This may appeal to him and you would achieve the desired result of justice and equality in the distribution of the home.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Ahmad Patel

Student Darul Iftaa

South Africa

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

 1الفتاوى الهندية (4/ 396(

  قَالَ أَصْحَابُنَا جَمِيعًا: إذَا وَهَبَ هِبَةً وَشَرَطَ فِيهَا شَرْطًا فَاسِدًا فَالْهِبَةُ جَائِزَةٌ وَالشَّرْطُ بَاطِلٌ كَمَنْ وَهَبَ لِرَجُلٍ أَمَةً فَاشْتَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يَبِيعَهَا أَوْ شَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَهَا أُمَّ وَلَدٍ أَوْ أَنْ يَبِيعَهَا مِنْ     فُلَانٍ أَوْ يَرُدَّهَا عَلَيْهِ بَعْدَ شَهْرٍ فَالْهِبَةُ جَائِزَةٌ وَهَذِهِ الشُّرُوطُ كُلُّهَا بَاطِلَةٌ، كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ.

 2مستخرج أبي عوانة ط الجامعة الإسلامية (12/ 578 حدثنا موسى بن إسحاق القواس، قال: حدثنا عبد الله ابن نمير، ح.وحدثنا أبو الحسن الميموني ، وعمار بن رجاء، قالا: حدثنا محمد بن عبيد، قالا: حدثنا عبيد الله بن عمر، عن نافع، عن ابن عمر، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "ما حق امرئ مسلم أن يبيت ليلتين وله شيء  إلا ووصيته مكتوبة عنده"