🤲 Funeral Prayer
Janazah Prayer Guide
Salat al-Janazah is a communal obligation — the Muslim community's final prayer for a departed brother or sister. Four Takbeers, no Ruku or Sujud, and a powerful dua for the deceased.
Fard Kifayah — a collective duty
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Pray over your deceased." (Ibn Majah 1481). Salat al-Janazah is an obligation on the entire Muslim community — if some perform it, the rest are absolved. If none perform it, all are sinful.
Structure of Janazah Prayer — 4 Takbeers
1st Takbeer — Al-Fatiha
Say 'Allahu Akbar' (raise hands). Then recite Surah Al-Fatiha quietly. In the Shafi'i school, also recite a short surah after Al-Fatiha. The Hanafi school: Al-Fatiha here is not recited according to the most common opinion (Thana/opening dua instead).
2nd Takbeer — Salawat (Durood)
Say 'Allahu Akbar'. Recite the Ibrahimi Salawat: 'Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta 'ala Ibrahim...' (the full Salawat as in Tashahud).
3rd Takbeer — Dua for the deceased
Say 'Allahu Akbar'. Recite the Janazah dua (below) for the deceased. This is the heart of the Janazah prayer — sincere supplication for forgiveness and mercy for the departed.
4th Takbeer — Final dua then Tasleem
Say 'Allahu Akbar'. Make a brief dua or remain silent. Then give one Tasleem (As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah) to the right only, ending the prayer. Some schools (Shafi'i) also turn to the left.
Dua for the Deceased — Full Arabic & Translation
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مَدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ
English Translation
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him. Grant him well-being and pardon him. Honour his arrival, widen his entrance. Wash him with water, snow and hail. Cleanse him from sins as white cloth is cleansed from filth. Give him a better home than his home, a better family than his family, and a better spouse than his spouse. Admit him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of the fire.
Sahih Muslim 963 — from Awf ibn Malik ؓ
Key Rulings for Janazah Prayer
Is it Fard?
Fard Kifayah — obligatory on the community collectively.
Wudu required?
Yes — same purity requirements as regular Salah.
Where to stand?
Imam stands near the head of the male deceased, near the middle/hips for female.
Can women pray?
Yes — women may pray Janazah at mosque/musalla.
At grave?
The Prophet ﷺ prayed Janazah at the grave — permissible.
Absent (Gha'ib)?
Hanafi: not permitted without the body present. Shafi'i/Hanbali: prayer in absentia is valid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Salat al-Janazah?
Salat al-Janazah (صلاة الجنازة) is the Islamic funeral prayer — a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah) upon the Muslim community. If enough Muslims perform it, the obligation is fulfilled for all; if no one does, all Muslims in the area are sinful. It consists of 4 Takbeers (saying Allahu Akbar), with specific prayers between each, performed standing — there is no Ruku (bowing) or Sujud (prostration).
How many Takbeers are in Janazah prayer?
Janazah prayer has 4 Takbeers (saying Allahu Akbar). After the 1st Takbeer: recite Al-Fatiha (and a surah in Shafi'i school). After the 2nd Takbeer: recite Salawat (prayers on the Prophet ﷺ) — the Ibrahimi salawat. After the 3rd Takbeer: recite the Dua for the deceased. After the 4th Takbeer: make brief dua or remain silent, then give one Tasleem (Salam) to the right.
Is Wudu required for Janazah prayer?
Yes, Wudu (or Ghusl/Tayammum) is required for Salat al-Janazah as it is a prayer. The same conditions for purity that apply to regular Salah apply to the Janazah prayer. Women during menstruation may not pray Janazah but may make dua for the deceased.
Can women pray Janazah?
Yes, women may attend and pray Salat al-Janazah at the mosque or musalla. The Companions' wives and women of Madinah attended funeral prayers. There is no hadith that clearly prohibits women from Janazah prayer — the prohibition mentioned in some hadiths refers to following the funeral procession to the graveyard, not the prayer itself.
What do you say in Janazah prayer if you do not know the deceased?
Use the general dua for the deceased from Sahih Muslim. When unsure of gender, use the male form (hu/lahu for he/his) if uncertain. If the deceased is female, change to: 'Allahumma ghfir laha warhamha...' (replacing 'hu/lahu' with 'ha/laha'). For a child: 'Allahumma ij'alhu lana faratan...'
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