He died with a debt upon him, so does his soul remain pledged?

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Question: The ruling on one who dies with a debt he was unable to pay due to his poverty. Does his soul remain pledged and suspended?

Answer: Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and al-Tirmidhi narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:

The believer's soul is suspended by his debt until it is settled for him.

نفس المؤمن معلقة بدينه حتى يقضى عنه

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1078Hasan (Darussalam)

, and this is understood to apply to one who left behind wealth with which it could be paid off. As for one who dies in a state of inability, it is hoped that this hadith does not apply to him; because of His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He) :

Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity

لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَا

[al-Baqarah:286], and His saying (Mighty and Majestic):

And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ

[al-Baqarah:280].
It also does not apply to one who formed the sincere intention to pay when borrowing, and then died without being able to pay; for al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

Whoever accepts other people's wealth intending to pay it back, Allah will pay it back for him. And whoever accepts it intending to waste it, Allah, the Most High, will waste (destroy) him.

من أخذ أموال الناس يريد أداءها أدى الله عنه، ومن أخذها يريد إتلافها أتلفه الله

Bulugh al-Maram 7:94

Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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