The Punishment of the Deceased for Debt and Its Assumption

Question:
The questioner asks: Is the deceased punished for the debt he carried, if another person has assumed this debt on his behalf and said, “So-and-so’s debt is my responsibility”?

Answer:
Yes, the soul of the believer is suspended by his debt, as stated in the hadith: If someone assumes it and pays it off on his behalf, his liability is cleared. However, merely assuming the debt does not clear the deceased’s liability until it is actually paid on his behalf. This is evidenced by the fact that a man was brought to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) for him to pray over him. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) asked, “Does he have any debt?” They said, “Yes.” So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) delayed, because in the early days of Islam, he did not pray over those who had debts, until Allah made things easy for him and he began to assume the debts of the poor Muslims and pray over them. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) delayed praying over this man because of the debt. Then a man from the Companions present said, “The two dinars are my responsibility, O Messenger of Allah; I will assume them.” So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) [proceeded]. Islamic [guidance] regarding obedience to Allah the Exalted and the education of children.