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234chapter fiveAfter the death of the testator, the bequest must not be changedotherwise it will incur God’s wrath. If the testator is still alive, onemight protest and demand a higher share, but if the testator insistson it, nothing can be done about it. The courts cannot interfere inthis.Inheritance LawsThe technical term ‘inheritance’ ( al-irth) refers to the process of dividingthe money and property of the deceased among the successors.This occurs either by drawing up a testament in which every shareis individually determined (see above) or, if no such testament exists,by following the regulations of the inheritance verses as stipulatedby the Book. Preference should always be given to the will of a testament.If a testament exists, it will be incumbent on everyone toadhere to it literally: ‘the distribution in all cases (’s) after the paymentof legacies and debts…’ ( Al-Nis§" 4:11). If, however, someone hasneglected this duty and has not written a will, Allah will act on thedeceased’s behalf through His stipulations of a general testimony thatregulates the shares of each heir. It is incumbent on everyone topainstakingly adhere to them, both with respect to the given numberof heirs and the amount of individual shares.Three verses of Sårat al-Nis§" specify how the inheritance is to bedistributed:Allah commands you, with respect to your children, that the male shallinherit the equivalent of the share of two females. If there be morethan two females, then they should receive two-thirds of what he leaves;but if there is only one female, she is entitled to one-half. To each ofhis parents, one-sixth of what he leaves, if he has any children; but ifhe has no children, then his parents will inherit him, the mother receivingone-third. But if he has any brothers, then his mother receivesone-sixth, after any will he had made or any debt he had incurred [istaken care of ]. Your fathers and sons—you know not who of them isof greater advantage to you. This is a law from Allah; Allah surely isAll-Knowing, Forbearing. ( Al-Nis§" 4:11, MF)In what your wives leave, your share is a half, if they leave no child;but if they leave a child, you get a fourth; after payment of legaciesand debts. In what you leave, their share is a fourth, if you leave nochild; but if you leave a child, they get an eighth; after payment oflegacies and debts. If the man or woman whose inheritance is in question,has left neither ascendants nor descendants, but has left a brother