Dayn is debt, settled before any bequest or share.
The Canadian position
Matches Canadian practice, where creditors rank ahead of beneficiaries.
Canadian law gives effect to whatever a valid will says, so an Islamic concept takes effect here through the drafting rather than automatically.
The Islamic position
Scholars distinguish debts owed to people from those owed to God, such as unpaid zakat.
Confirm the position for your own family and school with a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.
The four Sunni schools are not recorded as differing materially on this point in the sources reviewed. Where your own case turns on it, put it to a scholar of your school.
General information, not legal or religious advice. Inheritance depends entirely on the exact family circumstances. Confirm the Canadian position with a lawyer in your province and any religious ruling with a qualified scholar.
Citations & sources
Every factual claim on this page traces to one of the references below. Legislation and dollar thresholds change — verify against the primary source before relying on any figure.
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 55: Wills and Testaments (Wasaya) — Sunnah.com
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Wills — Sunnah.com
- Research Papers — Cambridge Muslim College
- Research — Cambridge Muslim College
- Academics — Islamic law and theology curriculum — Zaytuna College
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- Apply for probate of an estate — Government of Ontario
- Estate Administration Tax — Government of Ontario
- Estates Act, RSO 1990, c E.21 — Government of Ontario
- Probate planning blended families ontario — Treadstone Law
- Refund overpaid estate administration tax ontario — Treadstone Law
- Stopping named executor before probate granted ontario — Treadstone Law
- Certificate of appointment vs letters probate ontario — Treadstone Law
- What estate trustee submits to court ontario probate — Treadstone Law
- Difference between executor and estate trustee ontario — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law