What should the family of a deceased merchant do if the deceased owed more than 10 million, and some people refuse to pay what they owe him, and the heirs cannot pay all the debts even if they sell everything he left behind? And are they sinful if they are unable to pay? And does the deceased remain suspended until his debts are paid?

If a person dies leaving behind money and debts, the first thing that must be done is to pay off these debts from his estate before it is divided, based on the Almighty's saying: (from after any will he may have made or any debt). This is by the consensus of scholars. It is obligatory to hasten in settling the debt of the deceased and everything that absolves his liability, such as expiations and zakat, because "the soul of a believer is tied to his debt until it is paid off for him," meaning it is held back from enjoying bliss. If there is not enough money to pay off the debt, it is permissible to request an extension or installment payments for the debt, or to strive to collect the deceased's rights from others. If these means are not effective, all of the deceased's property must be sold to pay off the debt, because the right of the deceased takes precedence and absolving his liability is obligatory.