FatwaFederal TerritoriesInheritance, Wills & Gifts
AL-KAFI #1813: HUKUM MELANGSAIKAN HUTANG YANG TIDAK PASTI
What should be done if one suspects a late mother left a debt, but the creditor and the amount are unknown?
Short answer
The heirs are advised to make an effort to find any party the deceased may have owed.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Inheritance, Wills & Gifts
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The heirs are advised to make an effort to find any party the deceased may have owed. If after some time there is no indication, evidence or claim, they need not do anything, based on the legal maxim that a person is originally free from liability, so the deceased may be regarded as having no debt. It is nevertheless encouraged to give charity to the poor and needy with the intention of settling the deceased's debt, in case an unnoticed debt exists.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Oleh itu, saudara boleh menganggap beliau seperti tidak berhutang dengan sesiapa.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #1813: HUKUM MELANGSAIKAN HUTANG YANG TIDAK PASTI”, 30 July 2021. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/4893-al-kafi-1813-hukum-melangsaikan-hutang-yang-tidak-pasti. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/settling-uncertain-debt-of-deceased-mother/