Dua For Funeral - Namaaz E Janaza
Namaz e Janaza is a prayer of supplication (Dua) for the deceased, seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah. Unlike regular Salah, it has no Ruku (bowing) or Sujood (prostration) and consists of four Takbirs.
There are several supplications that Muslims can recite during a funeral to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for the deceased. One such dua is:
“اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الْأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ”
Translation: “O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, heal him and pardon him, honor his position, widen his entry, wash him with the purest water, snow, and hail, purify him of sins like a white garment is cleansed of filth, replace his home with a better home, his family with a better family, his spouse with a better spouse, admit him to Jannah, and protect him from the torment of the grave and the fire.”
Reciting this dua for the deceased during their funeral is considered a virtuous act in Islam and is a way to seek forgiveness and mercy for the departed soul.
How to Pray Namaz e Janaza (Funeral Prayer)
Step-by-Step Method of Janaza Prayer:
Step 1: Make the Intention (Niyyah)
Before starting the prayer, make an intention in your heart to offer the funeral prayer for the deceased.
Example Niyyah:
“I intend to pray the funeral prayer for this deceased Muslim, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for them.”
Step 2: First Takbir (Allahu Akbar) & Surah Al-Fatiha
- The Imam or person leading the prayer says “Allahu Akbar” aloud, and everyone follows.
- Raise both hands to ear level (for men) or shoulder level (for women), then fold them.
- Silently recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
Quranic Reference:
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
Translation:
“All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment.”
Step 3: Second Takbir (Allahu Akbar) & Durood Ibrahim
- Say “Allahu Akbar” again without raising your hands.
- Recite Durood-e-Ibrahim (the same as in Tashahhud of regular Salah).
Durood Ibrahim:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Translation:
“O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.”
Step 4: Third Takbir (Allahu Akbar) & Dua for the Deceased
- Say “Allahu Akbar” again without raising your hands.
- Recite the supplication (Dua) for the deceased.
Dua for Adult Deceased (Male/Female):
اللَّهُمَّ ٱغْفِرْ لَهُ وَٱرْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَٱعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مَدْخَلَهُ، وَٱغْسِلْهُ بِٱلْمَاءِ وَٱلثَّلْجِ وَٱلْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ ٱلْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى ٱلثَّوْبُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّنَسِ
Transliteration:
Allahumma ighfir lahu warhamhu wa ‘afihi wa’fu ‘anhu wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi’ madkhalahu waghsilhu bil-ma’i wath-thalji wal-barad. Wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama yunaqqa ath-thawbu al-abyadu min ad-danas.
Translation:
“O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, grant him peace, pardon him, grant him a noble place (in Paradise), expand his grave, and purify him with water, ice, and snow. Cleanse him from sins as a white garment is cleansed from dirt.”
For a female deceased, replace “له” (lahu) with “لها” (laha).
Step 5: Fourth Takbir (Allahu Akbar) & Salam
- Say “Allahu Akbar” again without raising your hands.
- Pause for a brief moment.
- Then, turn your head to the right and say “As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah”.
- Some scholars also say Salaam on the left side, but one Salaam is sufficient.
Important Guidelines for Namaz e Janaza
No Ruku or Sujood: This prayer consists only of standing, Takbirs, and supplications.
Pray in Congregation: It is preferable to pray in a group, but it can be performed alone if necessary.
Children and Women: Women can join Janaza prayers, but they do not go to the graveyard.
Multiple Deceased: If there are multiple bodies, one Janaza prayer can be offered for all.
Dua for the Deceased After Burial
After burial, it is recommended to make dua for the deceased.
Hadith Reference:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When you finish burying the deceased, stand by his grave and say: ‘Ask forgiveness for your brother and pray that he remains steadfast because he is now being questioned.’”
Dua After Burial:
اللَّهُمَّ ثَبِّتْهُ عِنْدَ السُّؤَالِ، وَأَنْزِلْ عَلَيْهِ رَحْمَتَكَ، وَأَجِرْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ
Translation:
“O Allah, grant him steadfastness when he is questioned, send Your mercy upon him, and protect him from the punishment of the grave.”