Short answer
Yes. Withholding a woman's inheritance is a major sin and a clear violation of the Quran, which says women have a share of what parents and relatives leave. Pressuring her to give it up, or giving her wedding gifts or a dowry instead, does not cancel her right.
Depriving a lawful heir of their share is haram and a major sin. A daughter or sister owns her share from the moment of death, and it cannot simply be 'waived' away. She may, as an adult who knows what she is owed, freely settle for a payment (takharuj) or gift her share after receiving it; anything obtained by pressure, shame or deception does not become lawful.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Before Islam, Arabs gave inheritance only to men who could fight. The Quran overturned this: "For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share... be it little or much, an obligatory share." Sadly, in parts of South Asia and elsewhere, sisters and daughters are still kept from land and houses, often with words like "we gave you a big wedding" or "it stays in the family name."
Why it is so serious.
- Allah calls the shares His limits, and promises the Fire to whoever transgresses them.
- The Prophet ﷺ said whoever takes even a hand span of land unjustly will have it hung around his neck from seven earths on the Day of Judgement.
- It breaks family ties and wrongs those who are often least able to fight back.
Common excuses that do not hold:
- "We paid for her wedding." Wedding costs and dowry gifts (jahez) are not a substitute for inheritance.
- "She agreed." Her share stays hers. What counts is a free settlement or a gift she makes after knowing and receiving her share. Silence out of shame or fear is not consent.
- "Land must stay with the sons." She can be paid the value of her share instead, if she agrees.
Putting it right. Calculate the shares as of the date of death, using the inheritance calculator and a mufti, and give each woman her share or its value. If she then chooses to gift it back to a brother, that is her free choice. If the people wronged have died, give it to their heirs. Repentance for taking others' rights requires returning them. See refusing an inheritance.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:7
لِّلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيبٌۭ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ٱلْوَٰلِدَانِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبُونَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنْهُ أَوْ كَثُرَ ۚ نَصِيبًۭا مَّفْرُوضًۭا ﴿٧﴾
For men is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, and for women is a share of what the parents and close relatives leave, be it little or much - an obligatory share.
Women's share is fixed by Allah.
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:14
وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُۥ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَٰلِدًۭا فِيهَا وَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌۭ مُّهِينٌۭ ﴿١٤﴾
And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits - He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment.
Breaking the inheritance shares carries a severe warning.
Quran, Surah An-Nisaa 4:19
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ أَن تَرِثُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ كَرْهًۭا ۖ وَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ لِتَذْهَبُوا۟ بِبَعْضِ مَآ ءَاتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ إِلَّآ أَن يَأْتِينَ بِفَٰحِشَةٍۢ مُّبَيِّنَةٍۢ ۚ وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِن كَرِهْتُمُوهُنَّ فَعَسَىٰٓ أَن تَكْرَهُوا۟ شَيْـًۭٔا وَيَجْعَلَ ٱللَّهُ فِيهِ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا ﴿١٩﴾
O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. And do not make difficulties for them in order to take [back] part of what you gave them unless they commit a clear immorality. And live with them in kindness. For if you dislike them - perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good.
The Quran ended the practice of treating women as part of an inheritance; their rights cannot be taken by force.
Sahih Muslim 1610
Sahih... من اقتطع شبرا من الأرض ظلما طوقه الله إياه يوم القيامة من سبع أرضين ...
"Whoever takes a hand span of land unjustly, Allah will hang it around his neck on the Day of Judgement from seven earths."
Taking a sister's land share is taking land unjustly.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Fara'id. Daughters and sisters as fixed-share heirs and residuaries.
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Sulh, section on takharuj. A heir giving up a share is valid only with free consent.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.