How to Perform Janazah (Funeral) Prayer – Step by Step

The Janazah prayer is a collective obligation (Fard Kifayah) upon Muslims when a believer passes away. It is a supplication for the deceased, seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Below is a simple guide on how to perform it correctly.

Step 1: Make the Intention (Niyyah)

  • Silently intend in your heart (you may say it in any language):
    “I intend to pray this Janazah prayer for the sake of Allah and to make du’a for the deceased.”

  • If praying behind an imam, also intend to follow him.

Step 2: First Takbir (Allahu Akbar)

  • Raise your hands to your ears and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).

  • Place your right hand over your left (as in regular Salah).

  • Recite Thana’ (SubhanakAllahumma…) silently:

    سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
    “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no god but You.”

Step 3: Second Takbir (Allahu Akbar)

  • Say “Allahu Akbar” (without raising hands).

  • Recite Salat upon the Prophet (PBUH):

    • “Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad…” (Durud Ibrahimiyyah):

      اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
      “O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

    • “Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammad…”:

      اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
      “O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

Step 4: Third Takbir (Allahu Akbar)

  • Say “Allahu Akbar” (without raising hands).

  • Make du’a for the deceased:

A. For an Adult (Male/Female/Group)

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا، اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ، وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ
“O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whomsoever You keep alive, let him live upon Islam, and whomsoever You cause to die, let him die upon faith.”

  • Adjust pronouns based on the deceased:

    • For one male: اغْفِرْ لَهُ (“O Allah, forgive him…”)

    • For one female: اغْفِرْ لَهَا (“O Allah, forgive her…”)

    • For two or more: اغْفِرْ لَهُمَا / اغْفِرْ لَهُمْ

B. For a Child (Under Puberty)

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا فَرَطًا وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا أَجْرًا وَذُخْرًا، وَاجْعَلْهُ لَنَا شَافِعًا وَمُشَفَّعًا
“O Allah, make him a forerunner for us, a reward and a treasure, and make him an intercessor for us whose intercession is accepted.”

  • If you cannot memorize the Arabic, any general du’a (e.g., “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah…”) is acceptable, but try to learn the recommended supplications.

Step 5: Fourth Takbir & Salam

  • Say “Allahu Akbar” (without raising hands).

  • Remain silent (no recitation here).

  • After the imam says “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah”, turn your head right and left to conclude the prayer.

Important Notes:

No Ruku (bowing) or Sujud (prostration) in Janazah prayer.
Standing only (no sitting).
No Adhan or Iqamah is called for Janazah.
Women may attend but should stand in separate rows.

Conclusion

The Janazah prayer is a mercy from Allah, allowing us to seek forgiveness for our deceased brothers and sisters in Islam. By following these steps, we fulfill a communal duty and earn immense reward.

May Allah (SWT) grant the deceased His mercy and grant us all a good ending. Ameen.

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