What can I (or do I have to) do if a creditor passes away before I could pay my debts to him?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, if the creditor passes away before the debtor can pay his debt, then the debtor shall pay off the debt to the inheritors of the creditor.[1]

However, in the absence of inheritors, the debtor shall distribute the debt to the poor and needy and make the intention of isale-e-thawab i.e. to intend the reward for the creditor.[2]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Fahad Abdul Wahab

Student Darul Iftaa

USA

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai                                                                                                                                                                                                                

www.Daruliftaa.net