Simplified Guide for Performing Salat al-Janazah (the funeral prayer)

When a Muslim brother passes away, family and friends are given three days to grieve and pay their respects, except for his wife, who observes a mourning period of four lunar months and ten days. This time of mourning is a significant reminder of our duty to pray for the departed, seeking forgiveness and peace for their soul.

Remeber that Salat-Al-Janaza doesn't have ruku', sujood, etc it is done purely standing. Here is the step-by-step guide to perform Salat-Al-Janaza or Islamic Funeral Prayer

1. Intention (Niyyah)

• If the deceased (Mayyith) is in front of you, recite:

أُصَلِّي الْفَرْضَ عَلَى هَذَا الْمَيِّتِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

• If the Mayyith has already been buried, recite:

أُصَلِّي الْفَرْضَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْمَيِّتِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

2. First Thakbeer

• Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar"

• Then recite Surah Al-Fatihah (Qur'an - Chapter 1)

3. Second Thakbeer

• Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar" again

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ فِي الْعَالَمِينَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

• Then recite Salawat:

4. Third Thakbeer

• Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar" again

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُوَعَافِهِ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِعْ مَدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ داراً خَيْراً مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلاً خَيْراً مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجاً خَيْراً مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَفِتْنَتِهِ وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارُ

• Then recite dua for forgiveness:

• Note: Adjust the pronouns:

  • For a female: Use هَا.

  • For a male: Use هُمْ.

• For a Child add:

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ فَرَطًا لِأَبَوَيْهِ وَسَلَفًا وَذُخْرًا وَعِظَةً وَاعْتِبَارًا وَشَفِيعًا ، وَثَقِلْ بِهِ مَوَازِينَهُمَا وَأَفْرِغِ الصَّبْرَ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمَا وَلَا تَفْتِنْهُمَا بَعْدَهُ وَلَا تَحْرِمْهُمَا أَجْرَهُ

5. Fourth Thakbeer

• Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar" again

اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلَا تَفْتِنَا بَعْدَهُ وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارُ

• Then recite this dua:

6. Tasleem

• End the prayer with Tasleem (turning your head to the right and saying "As-Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah").

• Also one person can perform Salat-Al-Janaza only one time for a Mayyith