What is the first duty of the executors?

Answer

Discharge of the debts is the first Waajib (obligatory) action of the executors. After paying the burial expenses, the debts of the mayyit have to be paid before distribution to the heirs.

Their Islamic moral and legal responsibility is:

to ensure that the process of winding up the estate commences immediately after burial.

to ensure that the mayyit's debts are paid.

to ensure that the assets are immediately distributed to the heirs.

that they should not act in contravention of the Shariah.

that they should not fulfil any haraam bequest/directive of the deceased.

that they should understand that they have no right of dictatorship over the heirs. The heirs are the owners of the assets, not the executors. The obligation of the executors is to only ensure correct Shar'i distribution of the estate.

Not to delay without valid reason in winding up of the estate. Such delay is sinful.

―Most people, when presenting gifts, search for expensive items. The basis of hadyah should be muhabbat (love) and khuloos (sincerity) even if the gifted item is of insignificant value, even if it is fuloos (copper coins). A Buzrug was on his way to meet another Buzrug. Along the way it occurred to him that he should present a gift. However, being a pauper, he had nothing. He gathered a pile of firewood from alongside the road.

The Buzrug to whom the hadyah was given appreciated it so much that he instructed his khaadim to preserve it. ―When I die, heat the ghusl water with this firewood. Perhaps it will be a basis for my salvation.‖ Subhaanallaah! The talks of these Buzrugs is also buzrug (sincere and sagacious).‖

(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali

Thanvi)

True Divine

Love

True Love for Allah Ta'ala is not cultivated only by means of thikr and shaghl. The method is observance of all A'maal-e-Saalihah with sincerity (i.e. total submission to the Shariah). Thikr and shaghl create a temporary state of enthusiasm which dissipates after some time. (Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)