janazah

Salat al‑Janazah (Salat al‑Mayyit)

The funeral prayer is a communal obligation. Follow your local imam and masjid lead. The guide below covers formation, the four takbirs, common duas, and special cases.

Before you begin

  • There is no adhan or iqamah for the janazah prayer.
  • Intend the funeral prayer and stand facing the Qibla with the congregation.
  • The body is placed between the congregation and Qibla. The imam stands near the head for a male, and near the middle for a female (per many scholars; follow your local practice).
  • Maintain wudu, cover the ‘awrah, and stand if able. There is no bowing (ruku‘) or prostration (sujud) in this prayer.
  • Rows should be straight and close; increase rows if possible.

Differences exist across madhhabs in the order of recitations and number of taslims. When present, follow your imam.

Formation and positioning

  1. Face the Qibla; straighten rows shoulder-to-shoulder.
  2. Place the deceased perpendicular to the Qibla. Confirm the imam’s standing position per local guidance.
  3. Keep pathways clear for entry/exit; maintain silence and focus.

Purity and conditions

  • Have wudu; clothing should be clean and modest.
  • Intend the funeral prayer behind the imam; pray standing if able.
  • Recitations are silent for followers; avoid collective loud recitation unless directed by the imam.

Step‑by‑step: Four takbirs

Takbir 1 Required
  1. Say “Allahu Akbar,” raise hands with the imam, then fold.
  2. Recite quietly: Surah al‑Fatiha. Some recite the opening supplication (thana) first—follow your imam.
Takbir 2 Required
  1. Say “Allahu Akbar.”
  2. Send salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ (e.g., Salat Ibrahimiyya) quietly.
Takbir 3 Required
  1. Say “Allahu Akbar.”
  2. Make dua for the deceased. A common supplication:

    اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ، وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ.

    “O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him, honor his resting place, expand his entrance, wash him with water, snow, and hail, and purify him of sins as a white garment is purified of dirt.”

Takbir 4 Required
  1. Say “Allahu Akbar.”
  2. Make a brief concluding dua for all deceased Muslims and those present.
  3. End with taslim following the imam. Many give two salams (right, then left); some give one—follow your imam.

Latecomers

  1. Join immediately with takbir and follow the imam.
  2. If you miss some takbirs, complete the missed count after the imam’s taslim by saying takbir(s) with the corresponding recitation(s) briefly, then give taslim.
  3. If the bier is lifted before you finish, stop and give taslim.

Special cases

  • Child/infant: Emphasize dua for mercy, elevation, and a means of intercession for the parents (e.g., “اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لِوَالِدَيْهِ فَرَطًا وَذُخْرًا...”).
  • Multiple deceased: One prayer may be offered for several, arranged respectfully; follow imam’s direction.
  • Salat al‑Gha'ib (absentee): Practice varies; defer to local imam.

Notes on differences

  • Some recite thana before al‑Fatiha; some recite al‑Fatiha immediately after the first takbir.
  • Hands may be raised at each takbir in some schools and only at the first in others.
  • One or two taslims are practiced; follow the imam’s number of salams.
  • The imam’s standing position for male/female deceased may vary by madhhab; follow local practice.