When is the soul of a deceased debtor released from the liability of the debt?

Question: It is known that the Real Estate Development Fund grants citizens long-term loans to build their homes, to be repaid over a period of twenty-five years. If the borrower dies and has paid only two installments of the aforementioned amounts, and his heirs proceed to make payments on the scheduled dates after his death, is the soul of the deceased released at that time, such that this does not fall under what was mentioned in the hadith: “The soul of the believer is held hostage by his debt until it is paid off on his behalf,” or is he detained by this debt until all installments are fully paid? I hope you will clarify this matter, Your Eminence.


Answer: If a person dies and has a deferred debt, it remains deferred if the heirs commit to paying it and the creditor is satisfied with them, or if they provide a solvent guarantor or a pledge that covers the debt. In that case, the deceased is safe from the liability, if Allah wills.