Is a bequest made to a creditor of an heir valid?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Bequests

Book 31 · Issue 4 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

A bequest made to the creditor of an heir is valid. Al-Shafi'i and Abu Hanifah hold this view. The evidence supporting this is that the bequest is made to a non-heir (stranger), which is valid, similar to bequeathing to someone accustomed to benefiting the heir.

Supporting text

Abu Yusuf holds that this is a bequest to the heir himself, because the heir benefits from this bequest as his debts are settled from it.