Is it permissible for a man burdened with accumulated debts to Allah and to people to bequeath all his money to Allah to settle his debts before his heirs receive anything, or is the will not enforceable beyond one-third?
The debts of the deceased, whether owed to Allah or to people, must be settled before the division of the inheritance and the execution of the will. If the debts are paid and something remains, the will is carried out from one-third of the remainder, and the heirs divide the rest. The debtor must pay his due debts immediately, and he is not permitted to delay as long as he is able, for "the delay of the rich is an injustice." If he is unable to identify the creditors, he should give the amount in charity on their behalf.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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