Program Overview:

Join us for an informative Information Session on Islamic Inheritance & Estate Planning: Religious & Legal Considerations on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at ADAMS Sterling, Community Hall (Lower Floor).

Session 1: Principles of Islamic Inheritance

This session will provide an overview of Islamic inheritance principles, including key concepts such as the wali, the rights and share of women, the concept of sufaha, wasiyah, and the relationship between inheritance and financial responsibility.

Session 2: Navigating the US Legal System

This session will touch on how these religious principles intersect with the U.S. legal system, offering practical insights on how to navigate the legal framework for estate planning in the American context. The speaker will provide an introduction to estate planning and its significance, background on intestacy laws and probate, and the four key components of estate plans (a Will, a Trust, Medical Directives, and a Power of Attorney), and some practical scenarios as illustrations.

Whether you’re looking to understand Islamic inheritance laws or seeking guidance on aligning your estate planning with both faith and the law, this information session will provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

About the Speakers:

Sarah Estwani - Attorney at Law

Sarah I. Estwani is an estate planning attorney licensed to practice in Virginia. She received her B.S. in Psychology from George Mason University. She went on to earn her J.D. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School where she was a member of the International Law Journal, and her work, A More Inclusive International Will, was selected for publication.

While in law school, Sarah worked with several established boutique estate planning and elder law firms in Northern Virginia and at the Arlington County Circuit Court for the Honorable Daniel S. Fiore II.

In addition to her formal legal studies, Sarah has also pursued higher education in Islamic law at various institutions. Her desire to consolidate the religious and secular requirements of estate planning is what fueled her passion to pursue law school and become an estate planning attorney.

Imam Mohamed Magid - Islamic Scholar

Imam Mohamed Magid is the Executive Imam of All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling, Virginia. He was born in Sudan, the son of a leading Islamic scholar who was an Azhar graduate that served as the Mufti of Sudan.

Imam Magid is the Chairman of International Interfaith Peace Corps (IIPC) and the former President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). He is also the Chairman of Muflehun, which focuses on prevention of violence and hate. He serves on the advisory board of the Peaceful Families Project and as Co-President of Religions for Peace. He is also the Co-Founder of the Multifaith Neighborhood Network which focuses on building bridges between Muslim, Evangelical Christian, and Jewish communities.

Imam Magid has co-authored three books: Before You Tie the Knot: A Guide for Couples and Reflections on the Qur’an, and Change from Within. He has written for the Washington Post, Huffington Post, and has been featured in Time Magazine and the Wall Street Journal. Imam Magid has received several awards including the El-Hibri Foundation’s Peace Education Prize in 2017.

Islamic Inheritance & Estate Planning: Navigating Religious & Legal Considerations

By Adams Center

Islamic Inheritance & Estate Planning: Navigating Religious & Legal Considerations