Your cousin paid the cost of your father’s shroud when he passed away, and people are telling you that you must pay that amount. What is your guidance?

Question:
My father passed away five years ago. My cousin paid for the fabric of the shroud. Many people have told me that I must pay this money. What is your guidance? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
If your cousin paid this money as a voluntary gift, then he has done well and he has a reward for it, and you are not required to pay him anything. However, if he paid it with the intention of getting it back and taking it, then it is to be paid from the deceased’s partnership, if he had a partnership, or it is to be paid by one of his relatives. The point is that if he paid it as a voluntary gift, then he has only the reward from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and you have no blame on you. But if he paid it with the intention of getting it back, then he is to be given its equivalent, that is, an amount equal to this money, either from the deceased’s partnership, or from the money of one of his relatives or brothers. Yes. May Allah reward you with good, and may He reward you.