THE INHERITANCE OF A WIFE AS SOLE INHERITOR

Article 905 & 949 of Iran civil code says that: if there is no inheritor other than husband, he takes all inheritance; but according to article 949: if a wife is sole heir, she takes her portion, that is one fourth, and the reminder will be regarded heirless and encountered according to article 866. This discrimination between wife and husband is based on the famous opinion of Shiite jurisprudents. They say that the reminder of portion of sole husband, will be restored to himself; but the reminder of portion of sole wife will be given to Imam. Article 949 seeks to follow this opinion and approves this discrimination, but says that the reminder of portion of wife is heirless and will be given to treasury. The present paper is intended to provide an analysis of this reputation and explain whether the legislator has enacted all of the opinion or a part of it.