FatwaPerlisTransactions & Finance
Hukum Ahli Keluarga Bayar Hutang Untuk Jenazah
Are family members obliged to pay a deceased person's debts if they cannot afford it?
Short answer
A deceased person's debt must be settled from the estate if there is one, even if it uses up all of it, and the heirs have no claim to that property.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Perlis State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Panduan Hukum
- Topic
- Transactions & Finance
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
A deceased person's debt must be settled from the estate if there is one, even if it uses up all of it, and the heirs have no claim to that property. If the deceased left no estate, family members are not obliged to settle the debt. It is nevertheless recommended for them to help, as it counts as a righteous deed and assistance to the deceased. Family members incur no sin for not paying, whether they are unable or able to.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Jika jenazah tiada meninggalkan sebarang harta, tidak menjadi kewajipan ke atas ahli keluarga melangsaikan hutangnya.
Read the full fatwa on the Perlis website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Perlis State Mufti Department. “Hukum Ahli Keluarga Bayar Hutang Untuk Jenazah”, 13 September 2023. https://muftiperlis.gov.my/index.php/panduan-hukum/810-hukum-ahli-keluarga-bayar-hutang-untuk-jenazah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/family-paying-deceased-debt-ruling/