I wrote to Abu Al-Hasan (as) about a man who died and had a debt, leaving nothing except a pledged item in the possession of someone. The value of the pledge did not exceed the creditor's due amount. I asked whether the creditor could take it for his claim or if all creditors shared in it. Imam (as) wrote: "All creditors are equal in this matter and must distribute it among themselves in proportion to their claims." He further said: I wrote to Imam (as) about a man who died, leaving heirs. Then someone came forward, claiming a debt against him and that he held a pledge for it. Imam (as) wrote: "If he has a claim against the deceased but has no evidence for it, he may take his due from what is in his possession and return the remainder to the heirs. However, if he admits to what he possesses, he is bound by it and must provide evidence for his claim. He must fulfill his right after swearing an oath. If he cannot provide evidence and the heirs deny the claim, then the heirs must take an oath of knowledge, swearing by Allah (swt) that they have no knowledge of any right owed to him by their deceased."