Dr. Mahmoud `Akkam, Professor of Islamic Shari`ah,Syria , states: It is clearly stated in Islamic Shari`ah that in order to be liable to receive a share in inheritance, the heir must be alive at the time the person he will inherit from dies, or at the time the court considers him to be dead. So, if the husband and wife died together or separately without it being known who died first, neither inherits from the other. Each one is treated separately and his or her wealth only goes to his or her heirs.