Paying off gambling debts of the deceased

Q: A member of our community as an heir would like to know if it's permissible to pay off gambling debts accrued by the deceased to pay off multiple gambling debts accrued to Muslims and non Muslims. 

Notes: 

1. A member of family has come forward to assist with these debts as they too want to rid of their unwanted interest income in order to assist with paying off these debts. 

2. The deceased does have an income deriving property asset in his estate but the income is little to none and will take years to save and accumulate the funds required to pay off the gambling debts.

A: These debts are haraam debts and it is not permissible in Islam to pay these debts.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)