Funeral Prayer Duas
صلاة الجنازة
Authentic invocations to recite during Salat Janaza, with Arabic text, phonetics and translation
What is Salat Janaza?
Salat Janaza (funeral prayer) is a communal obligation (fard kifaya) in Islam. It constitutes a right of the deceased Muslim over their community. This prayer is an intercession of the living in favor of the dead, imploring Allah to forgive their sins and grant them His mercy.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever attends a funeral until the prayer is offered will have one qirat of reward, and whoever stays until the burial will have two qirat." They asked: "What are two qirat?" He replied: "Like two huge mountains." (Bukhari, Muslim)
When to recite these invocations?
These invocations are recited after the third takbir of the funeral prayer. This is the central moment of the prayer where we implore Allah for the deceased. The prayer consists of 4 takbirat, is performed standing, and includes neither bowing (rukuu') nor prostration (sujud).
The 2 authentic invocations
Main invocation of the funeral prayer
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلًا خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ
Phonétique
Allahumma ighfir lahu warhamhu, wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad, wa naqqihi minal-khataya kama naqqaytath-thawbal-abyada minad-danas, wa abdilhu daran khayran min darihi, wa ahlan khayran min ahlihi, wa zawjan khayran min zawjihi, wa adkhilhul-jannah, wa a'idhhu min 'adhabil-qabri wa 'adhabin-nar
Traduction
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, grant him safety and pardon. Honor his reception, widen his grave, wash him with water, snow and hail, and purify him from sins as You purify a white garment from dirt. Give him in exchange a home better than his home, a family better than his family, a spouse better than his spouse. Admit him to Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of the Fire.
Invocation for the community (living and dead)
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا، وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا، وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا، وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلَامِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ
Phonétique
Allahumma ighfir lihayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha'ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa ahyihi 'alal-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa tawaffahu 'alal-iman
Traduction
O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our men and our women. O Allah, whoever among us You keep alive, let him live upon Islam, and whoever among us You cause to die, let him die upon faith.
Practical Tips
Memorization
Learn at least one of these two invocations by heart to be ready during funerals.
Adaptation
Adapt the pronouns according to the deceased: "lahu" (for him) or "laha" (for her).
Sincerity
Invoke with sincerity and concentration, thinking that it could be you tomorrow.
Community
The more Muslims who pray, the stronger the intercession for the deceased.
Frequently Asked Questions about Salat Janaza
Salat Janaza consists of 4 takbirat (saying "Allahu Akbar"). After the first takbir, recite Al-Fatiha. After the second, send blessings upon the Prophet (salawat). After the third, make the invocation for the deceased. After the fourth, make the taslim (final salutation). The prayer is performed standing, without rukuu' or sujud.