Question Summary:
What can I (or do I have to) do if a creditor passes away before I could pay my debts to him?

Question Detail:

What can I (or do I have to) do if a creditor passes away before I could pay my debts to him?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, if the creditor passes away before the debtor can pay his debt, then the debtor shall pay off the debt to the inheritors of the creditor.[1]
However, in the absence of inheritors, the debtor shall distribute the debt to the poor and needy and make the intention of isale-e-thawab i.e. to intend the reward for the creditor.[2]
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Fahad Abdul Wahab
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai                                                                                                                                                                                                                
www.Daruliftaa.net