Can I Pay My Father’s Debt from My Own Money after His Demise?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

My father died, and I don’t want to ask my siblings to use his estate to liquidate his debts. I understand I am not obligated to cover it, but I want to cover it.

Can I pay his Zakat, which he didn’t intend to? Can I donate on his behalf if he owes someone money and I can’t find the person?  What about Zakat al-Fitr and Qurban? Should I repay it?

I paid his debt and was told by an alleged creditor that he owed. If the alleged creditor is lying, how will Allah treat this?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health.

You can pay your father’s debt, after the demise, of his Zakat, Sadaqat al-Fitr, the value of a Sacrificial animal. Estimate the amount of Zakat if you are not fully aware of the exact figure after his demise. You will be highly rewarded for doing so, especially when relieving your father’s debts,  in sha Allah.

Be Cautious

However, be cautious of paying the debt to his creditors unless proof is presented and have it confirmed with others, like your father’s siblings, family members, and trusted friends.

Reward for One Who Eases Someone’s Debt

Burayda ibn al-Aslami (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever grants respite to one in a difficult debt, he will have a reward of charity for each day. Whoever grants him respite after payment is due, he will have the like of it in charity for each day.” [Ibn Majah]

Related: Paying Off Debts of the Deceased

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.