Husband reportedly claims N200k debt at late wife’s funeral, sparks online reactions

A young Nigerian woman in her 20s has reportedly died during labour, sparking intense debate on social media after details from her funeral surfaced online.

According to a post shared by a lady on X (formerly Twitter), the controversy began during the woman’s Islamic funeral rites when the Alfa asked if the deceased had any outstanding debts.

In a moment that shocked many in attendance, the late woman’s husband reportedly raised his hand, stating that she owed him ₦200,000.

What further fuelled public anger was the claim that the woman’s brother immediately paid the money on the spot, rather than the husband forgiving the debt, as many expected.

The incident quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from Nigerians, with opinions divided between religious procedure and moral sensitivity.

Public reactions trail the incident

Reacting to the development, SDA urged people to look at the issue from a religious perspective. He wrote:

“At first I was mad but on a second thought shey it a procedure in Islam to ask if the late is owing anyone and in most cases those the late person was owing will indicate and forgive the debt. So I believe the husband was just following the procedure. So did he 4give the debt?”

Responding to SDA, Nanaaa clarified what allegedly happened next, saying:

“No. The wife’s brother paid him immediately.”

Another user, Maybe Ola, criticised the husband’s action while acknowledging the religious process. He wrote:

“The husband raising his hand is a normal procedure, the next thing is to forgive the debt. Him collecting the money from her brother shows lack of empathy. KNKR.”

Thor Hibb took a harsher stance, expressing anger over the situation. He wrote:

““He collected the debt” some men are so so useless wtf 😬 your own wife 💔 someone that died cos of you and one foolish and bastard man is saying this doesn’t make him a bad person.”

Offering a more measured view, Detective reminded users of Islamic teachings on forgiveness and rights. He stated:

“We know this is deeply painful. But in Islam, forgiveness is virtuous only when it’s sincere. No one is compelled to forgive a debt they’re not at peace forgiving. Rights don’t disappear because of grief.”

Phone shop also weighed in, defending the process but questioning the outcome. He wrote:

“Raising his hand is normal procedure. But I’m sure he will forgive her. No normal human will tell his wife family to pay. May Allah swt forgive her sins and grant her al-jannah.”