When is the accountability of the Deceased who is in Debt cleared from the responsibility of the Debt?
Question :
It is known that the Real Estate Development Fund gives loans to the citizens (i.e., Saudi citizens) that have a long term of payment so that they can build homes for themselves. The repayment of the loans is to be completed over a period of 25 years. If the borrower died and he has only paid two of the mentioned payments, and his heirs took up the making of the payments at the appointed times after his death, is the accountability of the deceased freed at that time with this not being included in the Hadith:
"The soul of the believer is attached to his debt until it is repaid for him.
Or is he bound to this debt until all of the payments are paid off? I hope for a clarification concerning this matter from your Eminence.
Answer:
If the person died while owing a debt to be paid at a later time, then that debt remains upon him. If the heirs try to repay it and the person who is owed the debt is satisfied with them repaying it or they give a full guarantee or pledge to repay the debt, by that the deceased will be safe from the responsibility, if Allah wills.
Source:
Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 3 Pages 429-430