Non-Muslim Cannot Inherit from a Muslim’s Property: Lahore High Court

The Lahore High Court has reaffirmed a legal principle grounded in Islamic teachings, ruling that a non-Muslim cannot inherit property from a Muslim. The verdict, delivered by Justice Iqbal Chaudhry, dismissed an appeal challenging a subordinate court’s earlier decision.

The case revolved around an 83-kanal landholding in Gojra. The property was distributed among the children of the deceased owner. However, the deceased’s grandson contested the inclusion of a share for his non-Muslim uncle, arguing it violated Islamic inheritance laws. The lower court sided with the grandson, and the High Court has now upheld that decision.

Justice Chaudhry emphasized that, under Islamic jurisprudence, inheritance rights do not extend to non-Muslims in the estate of a Muslim. “This is a clear directive of Islamic teachings,” the ruling stated.

This judgment reinforces existing legal interpretations of inheritance laws in Pakistan, which are deeply rooted in Islamic principles. The court’s stance highlights the precedence of religious teachings in such disputes, ensuring clarity in property division cases involving mixed-faith families.