Q: A person died while being in debt to people. Those attending his funeral brought his bier near to the Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) to lead Janazah (Funeral) Prayer over him. However, the Imam refused because the person died while in debt. Since none undertook to pay the debts on his behalf, they buried him without offering Janazah Prayer over him, because of the Hadith reported from the Messenger (peace be upon him) when he did not offer Janazah Prayer over an indebted deceased person and said: "Offer Salah (i.e. Janazah Prayer) for your companion." Should Janazah Prayer be offered over an indebted deceased person and what is the ruling on this?

A: It is obligatory to offer Janazah Prayer over a deceased Muslim, whether indebted or not. Withholding from offering Janazah Prayer over an indebted deceased person is specific to the Prophet (peace be upon him), since he (peace be upon him) said: Offer Salah (i.e. Janazah Prayer) (Part No. 7; Page No. 263) for your companion. Withholding from offering Janazah Prayer over those indebted was done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the early days of Islam when he (peace be upon him) could not afford to pay the debts on behalf of the insolvent deceased. When Allah granted him the means, he (peace be upon him) would pay these debts on their behalf and offered Janazah Prayer over them. In conclusion, it is not permissible to refuse offering Janazah Prayer over a deceased Muslim because they are indebted. Rather, this was particular to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and in a specific case.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.