Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 159

About Speedy Repayment of the Debts of a Deceased Person and Preparation of Burial

باب تعجيل قضاء الدين عن الميت والمبادرة إلى تجهيزه إلا أن يموت فجأة فيترك حتي يتيقن موته

This chapter joins two duties that the living owe the dead, settling their debts quickly and preparing them for burial without delay. Both flow from the same care, that a believer should not be left lingering in difficulty after death.

Notice how the chapter frames debt as something that touches the very state of the soul, and burial as a matter of dignity that should not be postponed for a body resting among grieving family. Read together, the hadith press a gentle urgency on those left behind to discharge what is owed and to honor the deceased promptly. The legal particulars of debts and estates belong to the scholars; the spirit here is responsibility and mercy.

Hadith 943

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏نفس المؤمن معلقة بدينه حتي يقضي عنه‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The soul of the deceased believer remains pending on account of the debt till it (the debt) is repayed." [At-Tirmidhi].

In plain words

The Prophet taught that a believer's soul remains held back on account of an unpaid debt until that debt is settled, urging the living to clear it.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 943 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 50

Hadith 944

Hussain bin Wahwah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن حصين بن وحوح رضي الله عنه أن طلحة بن البراء رضي الله عنه مرض، فأتاه النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم يعوده فقال‏:‏ إني لا أري طلحة إلا قد حدث فيه الموت فآذوني به وعجلوا به، فإنه لا ينبغي لجيفة مسلم أن تحبس بين ظهراني أهله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

When Talhah bin Al-Bara' (May Allah be pleased with him) fell ill, the Prophet (ﷺ) came to visit him and said, "Verily, I think that Talhah is about to die. So inform me when he is dead and make haste (in burying him). Indeed, it is improper for the corpse of a Muslim to be kept lying unburied among his family members." [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

Sensing a sick Companion was near death, the Prophet asked to be told when he died and to bury him without delay, saying a Muslim's body should not be kept lying among the family.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 944 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 51