Most-asked question

Do grandchildren inherit if their parent died first?

44 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 6 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Jamiat KZN, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, MUBZ). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“Your brother’s or sister’s grandsons are your Mahrams. However, your husband’s nephew is not considered to be your Mahram. Therefore, it would be permissible for you to travel for Umrah with your sister’s grandson as your Mahram, but it would not be permissible for you to travel with your husband’s nephew. (Ahsanul Fataawa 5/91)”

Jamiat KZN — Sister’s Grandson and Husband’s nephew as Mahrams · 26 Aug 2025

“The Fuqaha have written that Zakaat may not be given to one’s descendants, that is, one’s children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc. Similarly, Zakaat cannot be given to one’s ascendants or to one’s spouse. In conclusion, it will not be permissible for the grandmother to give her Zakaat to her grandson.”

Ibn Masood — Giving Zakaah to One’s Grandson · 15 May 2024

“It is permissible for you to marry your mother's sister's daughter's daughter, i.e., your maternal aunt’s granddaughter.”

AskImam — Can I marry my maternal aunt’s granddaughter? · 29 Feb 2020

“If the son or sons of the deceased are alive, then in this case the grandsons will not be heirs of the deceased and will not inherit from him. Hence making a wasiyyat for them from one third of the estate will be permissible (i.e. after deducting the burial expenses and paying off all debts and liabilities).”

Mufti Online — Making wasiyyat for a grandson · 27 May 2013

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Inheritance of predeceased children Jamiat KZN · 29 Jun 2026
  2. Grandparents & Grandchildren MUBZ · 20 Feb 2025
  3. Paying for one's grandchild's dental treatment with interest money Mufti Online · 17 Oct 2024
  4. One’s Sister’s Grandson Qualifying As A Mahram Ibn Masood · 16 Aug 2024
  5. Will her inheritance go to her sons or will it go to her Grand daughters? AskImam · 23 Jul 2021
  6. A Predeceased Son Inheriting From His Father Azaadville · 14 Jul 2023
  7. Validity of bequests for a predeceased person Jamiat KZN · 7 Sep 2025
  8. Making wasiyyat for a grandson Mufti Online · 27 May 2013
  9. Giving Zakaah to One’s Grandson Ibn Masood · 15 May 2024
  10. Can a Non-Muslim grandfather serve as a representative for his Muslim granddaughter? AskImam · 19 Jun 2020
  11. Sister’s Grandson and Husband’s nephew as Mahrams Jamiat KZN · 26 Aug 2025
  12. Adult granddaughter massaging her grandfather Mufti Online · 1 Sep 2020
  13. Late son’s children inheriting from their Dadi Ibn Masood · 10 Jun 2022
  14. Can I marry my maternal aunt’s granddaughter? AskImam · 29 Feb 2020
  15. Validity of bequests for a predeceased person Jamiat KZN · 21 Sep 2024

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