[2017] KEKC 8 (KLR)
The court determined that the estate of the late Mohamed Swafi Maulana should be distributed strictly in accordance with Islamic law, as set out in the Quran, Suratul Nisa, verse 11. The court confirmed the list of heirs as the mother, widow, two sons, and four daughters. The prescribed shares were allocated: the...
Source-derived case information.
- Citation
- [2017] KEKC 8 (KLR)
- Parties
- Applicant: Kuswai Shafi Molana; Respondent: Maimuna Mohamed Ahmed; Respondent: Lutfia Said Abudalla; Respondent: Idarus Mohamed Swafi; Respondent: Said Mohamed Swafi; Respondent: Twaiba Mohamed Swafi; Respondent: Twalha Mohamed Swafi; Respondent: Maymuna Mohamed Swafi; Respondent: Farida Mohamed Swafi
- Court
- Kadhis Courts
- Court Station
- Kadhis Court at Malindi
- Jurisdiction
- Kenya
- Case Number
- Succession Cause 28 of 2017
- Procedural Posture
- Succession Cause / Judgment
- Outcome
- Estate distributed to heirs in accordance with Islamic law; trustees appointed; property transfer ordered.
- Legal Topics
- Islamic Inheritance, Succession of Estates, Distribution of Property, Appointment of Trustees
- Source Language
- en
Source-derived case record
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Kuswai Shafi Molana
Applicant
Maimuna Mohamed Ahmed
Respondent
Lutfia Said Abudalla
Respondent
Idarus Mohamed Swafi
Respondent
Said Mohamed Swafi
Respondent
Twaiba Mohamed Swafi
Respondent
Twalha Mohamed Swafi
Respondent
Maymuna Mohamed Swafi
Respondent
Farida Mohamed Swafi
Respondent
Procedural Posture
Succession Cause / Judgment
Legal Issues
- 1 What is the proper distribution of the estate of Mohamed Swafi Maulana under Islamic law.
- 2 Who are the rightful heirs and what are their respective shares in the estate.
- 3 Who should be appointed as trustees to administer the estate.
Ratio Decidendi
The court determined that the estate of the late Mohamed Swafi Maulana should be distributed strictly in accordance with Islamic law, as set out in the Quran, Suratul Nisa, verse 11. The court confirmed the list of heirs as the mother, widow, two sons, and four daughters. The prescribed shares were allocated: the mother to receive 1/6, the widow 1/8, and the residue to be distributed such that each son receives twice the share of each daughter. The court further ordered that the deceased's bank accounts and real property (a 1/4 undivided share in a specified plot) be distributed accordingly. Trustees were appointed to administer the estate and effect the transfer of property to the heirs....
Court Disposition
Estate distributed to heirs in accordance with Islamic law; trustees appointed; property transfer ordered.
Orders
- The estate of Mohamed Swafi Maulana to be distributed among the listed heirs as per Islamic law: mother (1/6), widow (1/8), each son (2/8 of residue), each daughter (1/8 of residue).
- Monies in the deceased's bank accounts to be released to the Kadhi's Court for distribution to the legal heirs.
Full Case Text
Judgment text and source record
58 paragraphs
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
IN THE KADHI’S COURT AT MALINDI
SUCCESSION COURT NO: 28 OF 2017
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: MOHAMED SWAFI MAULANA – (DECEASED)
KUSWAI SHAFI MOLANA...............................PETITIONER
JUDGMENT
The petitioner filed his suit on the 3rd of August, 2017. The petitioner is a full brother to the deceased. The late MOHAMED SWAFI MAULANA died on the 27th June, 2017. He was survived by the following heirs:-
1. MAIMUNA MOHAMED AHMED (MOTHER)
2. LUTFIA SAID ABUDALLA (WIDOW)
3. IDARUS MOHAMED SWAFI (SON)
4. SAID MOHAMED SWAFI (SON)
5. TWAIBA MOHAMED SWAFI (DAUGHTER)
6. TWALHA MOHAMED SWAFI ( DAUGHTER)
7. MAYMUNA MOHAMED SWAFI (DAUGHTER)
8. FARIDA MOHAMED SWAFI (DAUGHTER)
This court would like to confirm that the above mentioned are the only beneficiaries to the deceased estate.
The deceased estate is composed of :-
(a) First community Account No: XXX
(b) Barclays Bank Account No: XXX
(c) Gulf African bank Account No: XXX
(d) Diamond Trust Bank Account No: XXX
(e) ¼ share of plot No: 1082, Title no: CR. 12383, Malindi, with two flats on the said plot.
That the monies deposited in the three bank accounts are to be released to Malindi Kadhi’s Court for the same to be distributed to the legal heirs as stated in the Islamic law.
The deceased had left a ¼ undivided share of plot No: 1082, Title No: CR. 12383, within Malindi Township at Barani.
That the Land Registrar in Mombasa to effect transfer of ¼ undivided share to the 8 beneficiaries: mother, widow, 2 sons and 4 daughters.
That this honourable court has authorized the petitioner, Kuswai Shafi Molana and the widow Lutfia Said Abudalla as the trustees to the deceased estate.
This court is issuing the following orders concerning the distribution of the deceased’s estate:
The Holy Quran states in Suratul Nisai verse 11,
“As regards inheritance, Allah enjoins you concerning your children that
the share of the male shall be twice that of the female.
In case the heirs be more than two females, their total share shall be two thirds of the whole (estate), and if there be only one daughter, her share shall be half of the whole (estate).
If the deceased has children, each of his parents shall get one sixth of the whole (estate), but if he be childless and his parents alone are his heirs, the mother shall have one third of the whole estate. The division of all these shares shall take place only after fulfilling the terms of the will and after the payment of the debt (if any), as regards your parents and your children, you do not know who is more beneficial to you. Allah has apportioned these shares and most surely Allah is all knowing all wise.”
This court is giving the following orders:-
1. THAT the legal heirs and share of the above mentioned deceased are as follows:-
(a) MAIMUNA MOHAMED AHMED (mother) - 1/6 of the estate
(b) LUTFIA SAID ABUDALLA (widow) - 1/8 of the estate
(c) IDARUS MOHAMED SWAFI (son) - 2/8 of the residue
(d) SAID MOHAMED SWAFI (son) - 2/8 of the residue
(e) TWAIBA MOHAMED SWAFI (daughter) - 1/8 of the residue
(f) TWALHA MOHAMED SWAFI (daughter) - 1/8 of the residue
(g) MAYMUNA MOHAMED SWAFI (daughter)- 1/8 of the residue
(h) FARIDA MOHAMED SWAFI (daughter) - 1/8 of the residue
2. THAT the deceased left the following estate:-
a. First Community bank A/C XXX
b. Barclays Bank A/C No. XXX
c. Gulf African Bank A/C No: XXX
d. Diamond Trust Bank A/C No: XXX
e. ¼ undivided share of plot No. 1082 Title No. CR.12383 Malindi with two flats on the said plot.
3. THAT the monies from the deceased accounts be distributed to the legal heirs according to the above mode of distribution.
4. The above ¼ undivided share of plot No. 1082 Title no.CR. 12383 Malindi with two flats on the said plot be vested upon the legal heirs in the prescribed mode.
5. THAT the Land Registrar Mombasa, to effect transfer of the ¼ undivided share of plot No. 1082 title No. 12383 Malindi with two flats on the said plot and issue a new Title for the same under the following names:
(i) KUSWAI SHAFI MOLANA …ID NO: XXX, the trustee of the deceased surviving heirs.
(ii) LUTFIA SAID ABUDALLA ID NO: XXX being the heir and the trustee of the above named deceased surviving heirs.
(iii) IDARUS MOHAMED SWAFI ID NO: XXX (eldest son to the deceased.)
6. THAT the petitioner KUSWAI SHAFI MOLANA and the widow of the deceased LUTFIA SAID ABUDALLA are the appointed trustees of the estate of the deceased MOHAMED SWAFI MAULANA.
Given under my hand and seal of this honourable court, this 16th day of August, 2017.
SHEIKH SALIM S. MOHAMED
HON. PRINCIPAL KADHI – MALINDI