What should be done if a man dies and somebody claims that he is indebted to him? Should the burial be delayed till he brings evidence or should the debt be paid to him without waiting for the evidence?May Allaah The Almighty reward you

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

After it is certain that somebody has died, it is ordained that his dead body should be prepared soon afterwards by washing, shrouding and burial, without awaiting the payment of his debts.

But, at the same time, it should be hastened to pay his debt before the distribution of the deceased’s legacy. On the other hand, whoever claims a deceased person is indebted to him should bring evidence to support his claim, otherwise nothing should be given to him. This is because the basic rule is that one is free from obligation.

Allaah Knows best.