janazah
This guide has not yet been reviewed by qualified imams or scholars. Please consult your local imam for rulings specific to your situation.

Funeral Prayer

Salat al-Janazah

Salat al-Janazah is a communal obligation (farḍ kifāyah). Every Muslim should participate, whether or not they knew the deceased. It is said silently except for the Takbeer and Tasleem.

Conditions

  • All conditions of regular salat apply: wudu, clean body and clothes, facing the Qibla, and niyyah (intention).
  • There is no adhan, iqamah, ruku', or sujud.
  • The prayer is performed outside the mosque in an open area — this was the Prophet's ﷺ usual practice. It is also permitted inside the mosque. (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3204 · Sunan Ibn Mājah 1518)
  • The prayer is said silently by the congregation. Only the Takbeer and Tasleem are spoken aloud by the imam.
  • A minimum of three rows is recommended.

Prohibited times

It is not permissible at these times:

  • At sunrise — until the sun has fully risen
  • At zenith (midday) — when the sun is at its highest until it begins to decline
  • At sunset — when the sun begins to pale until it has set

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 831 · Sunan Ibn Mājah 1519

Formation and positioning

The congregation lines up facing the Qibla, with the body placed between the imam and the Qibla.

Row order (from front to back):

  1. Imam
  2. Men
  3. Children
  4. Women

For a male deceased

The imam stands at the head of the body.

For a female deceased

The imam stands at the middle of the body.

Authentic — Abū Dāwūd · Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim

Multiple deceased

Arrange bodies in order with females closest to the Qibla, then males behind them. For example, if there is an adult female, a young girl, an adult male, and a young boy: arrange with the young girl first (closest to Qibla), then the adult female, then the young boy, then the adult male — so females are in front, males behind.

If only one person is praying with the imam, that person stands directly behind the imam.

Steps of Salat al-Janazah

Takbir 1

Required
  1. Make niyyah (intention) for the funeral prayer.
  2. Raise your hands and say "Allahu Akbar."
  3. Fold your right hand over your left in the usual manner.
  4. Recite Surah al-Fatiha silently.

Takbir 2

Required
  1. Say "Allahu Akbar."
  2. Recite the Durood Ibrahimi (salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ) silently.

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ

"O Allah, send Your grace upon Muhammad and his family, as You sent Your grace upon Ibrahim and his family."

Takbir 3

Required
  1. Say "Allahu Akbar."
  2. Make dua for the deceased silently.

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ

"O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him, honor his resting place, expand his entrance, and wash him with water, snow, and hail."

For a baby or young child: make dua for the child's parents instead, asking for mercy, elevation, and intercession.

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 963d

Takbir 4

Required
  1. Say "Allahu Akbar."
  2. The imam says Tasleem: "Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah."
  3. Tasleem is said twice in the Hanafi madhhab, and once in others. Follow your imam.
  4. After Tasleem, make dua for all deceased Muslims.

Latecomers

  • Join immediately by saying Takbir and following the imam.
  • If you miss some Takbeers, complete the missed ones after the imam's Tasleem with their corresponding recitations, then give Tasleem.
  • If the bier is lifted before you finish, stop and give Tasleem.

Special Cases

Prayer for one who died far away (Salat al-Gha'ib)

Performing Salat al-Janazah for someone who died in another location is permitted. The Prophet ﷺ announced the death of the Negus and led the people in prayer for him at the musalla, saying four takbirs. Defer to local imam guidance on this.

Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3204

Baby or young child

A divine service is held over every Muslim, including infants who lived only a few minutes. In Takbir 3, the dua is directed toward the child's parents — asking for mercy, elevation, and that the child be a means of intercession for them.

Martyr (Shaheed)

The strongest scholarly opinion is that Salat al-Janazah is not performed for martyrs, as the Prophet ﷺ did not perform it for the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud. Follow your local imam.

Coffin

Using a coffin is generally not permissible unless there is a necessity — such as the body being damaged, health/safety requirements, or the grave being too wet to keep dry.

Notes on differences between madhhabs

  • Surah al-Fatiha is recited after Takbir 1. Follow your imam on any differences.
  • Hands may be raised at each Takbir in some schools, and only at the first in others.
  • Tasleem is given twice in the Hanafi madhhab, once in others.
  • Imam's position for female deceased may vary slightly by madhhab. When in doubt, follow your imam.

References

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