Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 6.djvu/199

Ⅳ, 11-16. God instructs you concerning your children ; for a male the like of the portion of two females, and if there be women above two, then let them have two-thirds of what (the deceased) leaves ; and if there be but one, then let her have a half; and as to the parents, to each of them a sixth of what he leaves, if he has a son ; but if he have no son, and his parents inherit, then let his mother have a third, and if he have brethren, let his mother have a sixth after payment of the bequest he bequeaths and of his debt.

Your parents or your children, ye know not which of them is nearest to you in usefulness :— an ordinance this from God ; verily, God is knowing and wise ! And ye shall have half of what your wives leave, if they have no son ; but if they have a son, then ye shall have a fourth of what they leave, after payment of the bequests they bequeath or of their debts. And they shall have a fourth of what ye leave, if ye have no son ; but if ye have a son, then let them have an eighth of what ye leave, after payment of the bequest ye bequeath and of your debts.

And if the mans or the woman's (property) be inherited by a kinsman who is neither parent nor child, and he have a brother or sister, then let each of these two have a sixth ; but if they are more than that, let them share in a third after payment of the bequest he bequeaths and of his debts, without prejudice ,— an ordinance this from God, and God is knowing and clement !