Is the liability of a deceased person who has a debt discharged by paying off that debt?

The questioner : Yes, peace be upon you. Peace, Shaykh. My father (may Allah have mercy on him) passed away, and he had a debt with the Real Estate Fund bank. Some of the installments were due and had passed, while others have not yet reached their due date. The question, Shaykh, is: if I pay the past installments, does that clear him, Shaykh? For example, if there is any sin or something of that sort?

The Shaykh : Yes, if the father had paid the installments that became due during his lifetime, his liability is discharged from that, because the remainder is secured by the house. Do you understand?

The questioner : Yes, I understand.

The Shaykh : And if, by chance, he did not pay the past installments that became due, and you pay the current installments and the deferred installments, his liability is discharged and he owes nothing.

The questioner : If we pay the past installments, I mean, Shaykh?

The Shaykh : That is fine, his liability is discharged.

The presenter : Okay, thank you, Shaykh.