Unpaid zakat treated as a debt payable from the estate.
In Islamic law
Where zakat was due and unpaid, many scholars treat it as a debt of the estate to be discharged before distribution.
In Canadian law
Not recognised by Canadian law as a debt, so it must be provided for expressly in the will or paid voluntarily by the heirs.
No significant difference between the four Sunni schools is recorded on this point in the sources reviewed. Where a specific case turns on it, ask a qualified scholar rather than relying on a general summary.
Canadian legal detail
Treadstone Law, an Ontario firm with a wills and estates practice, covers the Canadian side of this in more depth:
- Estate trustees power of sale in will vs court approval ontario
- Selling a house before probate granted ontario
- Probate with will vs without will ontario differences
This entry is general information, not legal or religious advice. Inheritance turns on the exact family circumstances. Confirm Canadian law 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.
- Surah an-Nisa 4:11 — shares of children and parents — Quran.com
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 85: Laws of Inheritance (Faraid) — Sunnah.com
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Inheritance — Sunnah.com
- Encyclopaedia of Islam — Brill
- Apply for probate of an estate — Government of Ontario
- Estate Administration Tax — Government of Ontario
- Administering estates — Government of Ontario
- Estate trustee authority before certificate ontario — Treadstone Law
- No one applies for probate ontario consequences — Treadstone Law
- Estate trustee selling real estate below market value ontario — Treadstone Law
- Private company shares valuation estate administration tax ontario — Treadstone Law
- Contested probate applications ontario estate trustee — Treadstone Law
- Wills & estates practice — Treadstone Law