What is the status of the deceased regarding his debt that exceeds the value of his possessions, and how do his family members deal with the creditors' claims?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The heirs of the deceased must pay off his debt from his estate before dividing it. If the estate is insufficient to cover the debts, the creditors divide the estate among themselves proportionally to their debts. The heirs or others are not obliged to pay the debt from their private funds, unless they voluntarily choose to do so. If one of them volunteers to pay the remaining debt, the deceased's obligation is cleared; otherwise, the obligation remains pending. Some scholars hold the view that the state should pay the debts of a deceased person who left no assets to fulfill them.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/163418
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 163418
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy